Celebrating Italian Adult Actress – And Politician – “Cicciolina!”
Here’s a fascinating story: a young woman creates a persona and makes a career out of it – before going into politics!
My “2023 Sex Kitten Countdown” has the story of Ilana Staller, better known as “Cicciolina” – which means “cuddles” in Italian!
Ilona Staller was born on November 26, 1951 in Budapest, Hungary as Elena Anna Staller.
She was an very success Actress, Radio Host, Adult Film Star and yes, Politician! She was known for wearing a low cut pink dress that exposed one breast
Here’s how she got started: she took the stage name “Cicciolina” from a radio talk show she hosted called “Do You Want To Sleep With Me?”
The show aired on “Radio Luna” in the 70’s from midnight to 2 AM and was centered around erotic tales/experiences told by the callers who Ilona Staller addressed by the nickname “Cicciolino” or “Cicciolina”.
The talk show was a big hit also due to the erotic content and the made-up word eventually got into the language as a synonym of “cuddles” .
She was much more than a Talk Show Host however, she had more than 50 film credits, mostly in Italy, including these:
“The Teenage Prostitution Racket” – she appeared as Elena Mercuri…it’s a lurid tale about young women kidnapped and forced into prostitution.
She also appeared in this film in 1975:
Gloria Guida starred in this one – she was a stunning Italian actress with quite a provocative career as well:
She appeared in one of the most shocking Italian films of the 70’s – see more of it here:
As for Cicciolina, she was one of the women who took part in an orgy in the cult film “Private Vices, Public Virtues”…
And what an orgy it was! This was recently remastered and released in a special edition…quite a provocative film that also starred Teresa Ann Savoy:
What a career she had, including “Caligula!” See all of her credits here:
In 1979, Cicciolina starred in a film about…herself!
This film helped cement her legend in Italy.
As IMDB.com describes the plot:
“A man obsesses over her and it begins to affect his relationship with his girlfriend. Cicciolina helps bring the two together in order for them to experience the ultimate sexual experience!”
Cicciolina Gets Political!
This is really fascinating to me: Cicciolina ran for political office in Italy – and won!
Ilana represented the Radical Party in the Italian parliament from 1987 to 1992.
She also starred in a XXX-rated movie with American porn legend John Holmes in 1986 towards the end of his career, not knowing that Holmes was HIV-positive.
Ilana then founded the Love Party with the late Italian movie star Moana Pozzi to fight for the legalization of brothels, “love parks”.
Moana had a provocative career as well and you can see it here!
And what about this revelation: according to online reports, in September 1999 Staller admitted that she had been a spy for the Hungaran Communist Party when she was a 19-year old a waitress working at a major international hotel!
Bravo to Ilana for such a unique, empowered career…from growing up in Hungary to serving in Italy’s Parliament!
And speaking of Hungarian Actresses:
Ava Cadell was born in Budapest, and had a hugely successful career as well – you can see all of her highlights here:
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Let me know if you are familiar with Cicciolina!
Categories: 70's Films, Artsploitation, Books / Media, Camp Cult Classics, Euro-Sleaze, Exploitation Films, Grindhouse, JRsploitation, Nudity, sex kittens, Sexploitation Films, Talent / Celebrites
JR-Sploitation! 
I recall Ilona being elected in Italy. It was hard to believe she was elected. It makes me wonder what she promised if elected! By any chance did Italy legalize prostitution? This is a prime example of being cute helping you to be elected!
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She did it all.
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I’ve heard of her before now, and also may have a book about her. Has there been any word about her recently or not?
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I remember the excitement about her being elected, which was widely reported in Britain at the time. But up until then I hadn’t heard of her. Some of those films look to be worth watching though.
Best wishes, Pete.
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We could do with some more politicians like her! Seem to recall her as an intrepid woman for whom very little was off limits.
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