Bobby Tonelli posed NUDE for CHAIRITY!!!

FLY Entertainment artiste, Bobby Tonelli going NUDE!!!

Yes, in the recent online news stated that Bobby Tonelli is about to go nude in support of a campaign by Backrest called 'Chairity - Arts & Design Against Cancer'. In collaboration with the Singapore Cancer Scoiety, Bobby is seen striking the pose of the Thinking Man with the Louis Armchair covering his private parts at strategic areas.

Are you daring enough to do that for a good cause too?

During the interviews with XinMsn, Bobby revealed that he knew he had wanted to do the pose of the Thinking Man for his shoot, but had no idea the photographers wanted him to be fully nude until he arrived on set.

"There were a few photographers shooting their own version of the Thinking Man. I had my towel with me in case I needed to move around. If you do a clothed one, it doesn't look right. It takes away the essence of the art," recounts Bobby.

Bobby explained: "It is a bit nervous whenever you do something like this and I didn't know the photographers but everyone was respectful. Once the shoot happened, it felt more comfortable and the crew knew exactly what they were doing so I felt at ease."

The shoot is an emotional one for Bobby because his father passed away from cancer more than a decade ago. His father was working in navy, wrapping ship pipes.

"Cancer is something you never get over. You just live with it. I've come to terms with it now, but for most of us, our lives will be affected with the death of our loved ones. This is why I wanted to do this to let people know they're not alone," said Bobby.

"Any awareness can be made out of it. It's a well-done picture - how did it get to going nude, I don't quite know - but the more awareness there is in cancer, the more people feel proactive," Bobby affirms.

WHAT IS JOANNE PEH'S REACTION?

The ladies in his life, girlfriend Joanne Peh and co-host on 987FM's The Rude Awakening show Rosalyn Lee, both expressed shock at Bobby's decision to bare it all but understood why he did so.

'(Joanne) was quite shocked. She thought 'Wow, this is quite more than what I expected to see' but she's cool with it. Rozz understands the cause. She's dealt with the loss of family members, so she understands the meaning behind the picture,' said Bobby.

What is this charity about?

Chairity is a collaborative effort by 30 Singapore-based artists, designers and media personalities coming together to express their interpretation of cancer using the Louis Armchair as a canvas.

Based on the theme of Empathy, Sacrifice, Love & Support and Dedication, each designer tells their own cancer story through a chair design and an accompanying character image. Inspired by the founder's father who is suffering from cancer, the designs will be revealed in a public exhibition on 23 May.

When asked if he is worried at public backlash, Bobby sets the record straight: 'Everyone sets tongues wagging, you're not gonna be able to stop that. If people are just going to look at the fact that I'm nude in the photo, without looking at the cause, that's their prerogative. People will have comments to say but I know I'm contributing to a good cause.'

Will his beau join him in similar shots for future charitable causes? Bobby remains cryptic. 'I think I'll probably stick to doing solo shots. Already, people are talking about Joanne's dress during Star Awards, so I wouldn't want to do it (together with her).'

The chairs will be showcased at The Market of Artists and Designers (MAAD) at the red dot museum on Friday, 1 Jun, 5pm-midnight. 

To pledge a donation to buy a chair, contact Vanessa Loh at vanessa_loh@singaporecancersociety.org.sg.

This was a photo taken with Bobby Tonelli at a Puma Event.