Katy Perry has explained why she didn't strip down for a paddleboarding adventure with former beau Orlando Bloom in Italy last summer (16).

The pop star and The Lord of the Rings actor enjoyed a brief romance from the beginning of January 2016 up until earlier this year (17), when the pair announced they were taking "respectful, loving space" from their relationship.

In August (16), Orlando sent shock waves through the Internet when he was snapped paddleboarding nude in Italy with his then-girlfriend, and Katy, 32, has now opened up about the famously revealing photos.

Joking she's had to have "lots of therapy" following the incident, the Roar hitmaker told KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O show on Wednesday (28Jun17), "He asked me if I wanted to be (naked) and I was just like... It's one of those things where I was like, 'Oh nah.'"

Noting she instead waited until they were on their private yacht to strip off, Katy added, "You know when you're dating someone sometimes, it's exciting to be like, 'Oh, should we try and make out over here in this place?' or what have you, and I was just not in the mood. I saved it for the boat!"

She also said in jest that Orlando was "trying to show off" in front of the people on shore by baring all on the board while in the sea.