In 1980, in an attempt to break with the image of "Brazil's sweetheart", acquired with her role in the telenovela, she posed nude for the Brazilian version of "Playboy". The April issue of the magazine sold extremely well. It was, however, in the movies that her attempt would succeed. Controversial playwright Nelson Rodrigues invited Lucélia to star in the film adaptation of his play "Bonitinha mas Ordinária". Knowing that was the perfect chance to break the good girl stigma, she accepted. She would later act in two other adaptations of Rodrigues' plays: "Engraçadinha" and "Álbum de família".