To make the semi-autobiographical film Magic Mike a success, Channing Tatum was happy to put in the long hours of preparation to play a believable stripper.
The sexy film required the former real-life stripper to spend hours at the gym sculpting his already defined physique, to stick to a strict, gluten-and-dairy-free diet and to apply a generous coat of self tanner to his entire body.
But there's one thing Tatum, 32, says he had to do for the movie that he'd gladly forego for the rest of his life: waxing his body!
"It was the most painful thing I'll ever do," he tells People about waxing his legs. "And it's something I'll never do again."
Costarring Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer, True Blood hunk Joe Manganiello, White Collar star Matt Bomer and CSI: Miami heartthrob Adam Rodriguez, Magic Mike is based on Tatum's nine-month gig as a stripper for an all-male revue in Tampa at age 18.
"I enjoyed the performing part of dancing but I didn't really love taking my clothes off," he says. "It was fun while it lasted."
As for his wife of three years, Jenna Dewan, Tatum says she's been fully supportive of his stripping revival and enjoyed watching him and his friends take it off on screen.
"She loves it; she thinks it's hilarious," Tatum says. "You know, she married an ex-stripper."
Dewan agrees. "He's amazing. He's a great stripper!" the 31-year-old actress told Us Weekly in January. "I should ask for more (private dances)."
