Aly Raisman defends nude Sports Illustrated shoot after backlash

Aly Raisman has no time for the critics deeming her a hypocrite for stripping down in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated.

The Olympic gymnast — who was sexually abused by former Team USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar — told People it's been “devastating” having her pain diminished by people who claim her nude photo shoot delegitimized her abuse.

"I actually had somebody say something to me a couple months ago saying, 'I don't understand how you can complain that you were molested because you participated in Sports Illustrated Swim," she said.

"It doesn't matter. I just don't understand and it really makes me...it's devastating. I can't even tell you how many people have told me that when they were raped they were asked, well, what were you wearing? It doesn't matter what you're wearing. It's never, ever OK."

Aly Raisman poses nude with empowering words for S.I. campaign

Stars who strip for a cause

In the Sports Illustrated "In Her Own Words" spread, the gold medalist— along with models Sailor Brinkley Cook, Paulina Porizkova and Robyn Lawley— bared all in a nude photo shoot with messages of empowerment splashed across her body.

Raisman's phrases of choice included "Survivor," "Trust yourself" and "Abuse is never okay."

She defended her decision to pose naked, saying that women should demand respect no matter how they're dressed — or not dressed.

"As women, we're always taught, in my opinion, to be ashamed of our bodies, and everyone's always telling us to cover up," she said. "I know women do not have to be modest to be respected. You can be sexy, you can be wearing a sexy bikini, you can still be smart powerful, have a voice, you can still be advocating for change, you can still be a good person, you can still be respected."

Olympic coach knew about Nassar's abuse for years: Aly Raisman

Raisman delivered a scathing testimony against Nassar in court last month.
(BRENDAN MCDERMID/REUTERS)

Raisman, 23, made headlines last month for her scathing testimony in court just before Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for his crimes.

"Larry, you do realize now that we, this group of women you so heartlessly abused over such a long period of time, are now a force and you are nothing," said the gymnast, who was one of Nassar's more than 160 victims.