Belle de Jour, Scientist

Not belle de Jour, but some other scientist moonlighting as a call girl. From the play NO SEX PLEASE, WE'RE BRITISH. The theatre programme said she works at NASA!

All Britain is abuzz. The mysterious "Belle de Jour" author, blogger and inspiration for SECRET DIARY OF A LONDON CALL GIRL, is a scientist! She is Dr. Brooke Magnanti, specialist in developmental neurotoxicology and cancer epidemiology. For a time in 2003-2004 she was also a high-priced lady of the evening.

Her autobiographical book about life as a call girl caused a minor sensation in the literary world. She is still on Blogger at Belle de Jour. Her book BELLE DE JOUR was the basis of the delicious television serial with DR WHO's Billie Piper. SECRET DIARY is going to a third series!

While studying for her PhD in 2003, Belle found herself in London without cash or a good job. She spent 14 months as an escort making around 300 pounds per hour. Compared to the other gigs available to a woman, the pay seemd quite attractive. That brief period of her life led to the book and endless speculation as to her identity.

This shows just how difficult life can be for women scientists. The road to a PhD and career is long and difficult. Many economic and social challenges lie in the way. It is easy to prostitute oneself by following trendy subjects like strings or "dark energy." Best wishes in her future career to Dr. Brooke Magnanti.