Stripping on stage for a group of women is familiar territory for actor Channing Tatum - he used to do it for real.

The film "Magic Mike" is loosely based on Tatum's experiences taking his clothes off as an 18 year old to pay the rent.

So how did he feel about revisiting his old profession?

SOUNDBITE: Channing Tatum, saying: (English)

"It's a bit weird, I have to be honest. As the curtain was about the move back I was like, 'Wow, did I want to do this again? Did I want to do this again? Why did I want to do this again?' It's not something that you go into very boldly because you're going to be in front of about 250 women, butt naked. It's very humbling."

Matthew McConauhey who co-stars, says stripping for the first time was terrifying.

SOUNDBITE: Matthew McConaughey, saying: (English)

"No, it wasn't natural at all. It was completely nerve-wracking. But that was also the reason to do it."

"Magic Mike" is directed by Steven Soderbergh and also stars British actor Alex Pettyfer. It opens in the U.S. June 29 and on July 11 in the UK.

Nickie Omer, Reuters.