Elisabetta Canalis goes nude for PETA before 'Dancing With The Stars' debut

Elisabetta Canalis, an Italian actress and George Clooney's ex-girlfriend who will appear on this season's "Dancing With The Stars," posed nude for a new PETA campaign.

"I decided to go nude because I think that nudity always creates a big reaction," Canalis said in a video made during the shoot. "That is what is required to keep people's attention on such a brutal practice... These poor animals are electrocuted, skinned alive, drowned, and bludgeoned just for the sake of fashion."

The 32-year-old actress appeared in the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Organization's "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" campaign, which has also featured celebrities like Pamela Anderson and Khloe Kardashian.

"Don't buy fur," Canalis urged. "Even a little trim - your gloves or your bag or your jackets... You must remember that animals don't have a voice. You must be their voice. Never be afraid to speak up."

Canalis and Clooney broke up in June after dating for about two years. The reason for the split was not made clear, but Clooney expressed his disinterest in marrying again on "Piers Morgan Tonight" in January. He was married to actress Talia Balsam from 1989 until 1993.

Clooney has recently been romantically linked to former professional wrestler Stacy Keibler, who was a former "Dancing With The Stars" contestant.

In a recent interview, Canalis told Italy's Chi magazine that she tends to hold herself responsible for failed relationships.

"At the end of the day I have always seen the end of my relationships as a personal failure," Canalis told the magazine, Us Weekly reports. "You have to accept that Prince Charming who is coming to save you is not going to happen. It works against you."

Canalis appeared in the 2005 comedy film "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo" and played a recurring character on the TNT series "Leverage" in 2010.

It was announced on August 29 that Canalis would join the 13th season of ABC's reality dancing competition, "Dancing With The Stars." The actress is paired with first-time professional dancer on the show, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, the brother of Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

"This show gives you the opportunity to learn how to dance with the best dancers in the world and to appear on one of the most-watched television programs in the United States," Canalis told OnTheRedCarpet.com in August of her decision to join the series. "I hope to someday work in television, I can't deny it!"

The actress also joked about poisoning her fellow contestants with "drops of narcotics" in order to win the competition.

For more information on the rest of the contestants, check out our gallery.

"Dancing with the Stars" returns with a two-hour season premiere for Season 13 on Monday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Last season, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward and partner Kym Johnson walked away with the big prize.