When Valentina Cervi auditioned for the role of Salome on "True Blood" (Sundays at 9 p.m. Et on HBO), creator Alan Ball had one piece of advice for her: "Don't be afraid of your sexual power."

Cervi was far from afraid, and happens to enjoy nude scenes with Christopher Meloni (Roman), who plays her lover on the show.

"The writer asked me to be naked on the bed, and I kind of said, 'Oh … ' but she explained to me that Salome is free," Cervi told Vulture. "She doesn't cover herself up. I totally got that, and it helped me out in the scene. She's showing her fragility with Roman. Yes, they're lovers, yes, they work together, but in being naked, I felt almost fragile, and I felt that that might have helped the scene. The way she is with him is not the way she is with the rest of the world.