Like all great cultural phenomenons, it all started with Britney Spears. Newly single and clad in a Little Miss Sunshine tee, Britney stumbled out of Paris Hilton’s futuremobile. In a lace blouse better suited for a nun, Paris looked demure and a little smug (perhaps relieved that someone else was on display). The paparazzi got a few choice pics showcasing Brit’s cesarean gunt before, finally, Paris reaches over to demonstrate her dedication towards modesty. It was business as usual in tinsel town.

Cut to Lindsey a few weeks later: Chillin’ in the club, a lit cigarette hanging from her mouth. Like it aint no thang, Lindsey scrunches her dress to her hip, exposing her good stuff (albeit smushed inside her pantyhose). Celebrity bloggers likened her lady parts to the somewhat less-ladylike roast beef sandwich.

Never one to be outdone, Paris jumped back on the bandwagon. Type Paris Hilton vagina into any search engine and, trust me, you won’t be disappointed. Replace Paris Hilton with celebrity and you’d better cancel your plans tonight. Though this week may be Dita Von Teese’s, past muff de jours include Lily Allen, Christina Aguilera and Jessica Biel. Oldies but goodies include Tyra Banks, Kelly Ripa and, of course, Sharon Stone.

So now to serious business: what the ef is this about? Is cameltoe show merely this season’s nipple slip, or is something more sinister brewing down below? Is this a new low for women everywhere or – dare I say it – the ultimate display of pussy power?

Not that flashing your moneymaker is suddenly more girl power than voting for Hillary, but there is some undeniable pleasure that fascinates feminists and internet perverts alike. For a generation of celebrities that are stalked day and night for vulgarity – Stars without makeup! Worst beach bods! – maybe spreading um for the camera is the revenge of the isn’t-this-what-you-really-want variety? Factor in entire shamelessness and this sure feels like re-appropriation, baby.

So next time Britney falls out of a limo, let’s quit vajahating on her box and instead applaud her work towards mainstreaming the vagina. And then, let’s move on. Maybe the paparazzi might relocate their efforts to the shaming of men for whose balls fall out of their short shorts. (I’m looking at you, Matthew McConaughey.) Now that’ll be a sweet day in tinsel town.