FAQs

Although I was born in Florida, my family did not live there for very long. My father was a Navy dentist so we moved around quite a bit, especially in my early years. Until I was 12, we lived in Florida, Guam, San Diego, Virginia, Japan, and Hawaii. In the middle of junior high, we settled in Southern California and I have been there ever since.

My mother is Japanese, from the island of Okinawa, and my father is American-born of Scottish and Swiss descent. So I’m a “happa” as they say in Hawaii….

At my friends’ daring, I sent in a few swimsuit and lingerie photos to Playboy for their 40th anniversary Playmate search. Soon after they called me to schedule a test shoot in Los Angeles which was both exciting and a little nerve-racking. A few months later, I received a formal offer to pose for them. I had never modeled before professionally so it seemed pretty unreal at the time.

I must admit that the very first time I posed nude I felt a tiny bit strange and was rather shy. When you are working with classy publications such as Playboy though, everyone involved from the photographers to the assistants to the make-up and wardrobe people are all so professional that it really makes you feel at ease. The fact that they are fixated on such technical concerns like how the light is hitting your left shoulder or whether that lip color goes with your bra makes you realize that you are helping to create in a sense a piece of work or art even, and the environment is not really sexual at all (sorry if that shatters any illusions ;p). I think the human form is one of the most beautiful things in the world and the fact that many people have seen me nude is not a bad thing at all I believe. I really don't think nudity is a big deal at all. I don't think that nudity should necessarily have the connotation of sex, as it tends to have in this country. And even if images are meant to invoke some sort of sexual reaction, that should be viewed as a healthy part of human nature, as long as it is not hurting anyone. I strongly disagree with the fact that showing a bare breast on television raises more protests than all of the violence in the media. And for me personally, it is important to have the images be classy and not just be about pure sex but have something artistic about them…however clich�d that may sound.

I majored in history, but took many other courses besides history related ones. I tended to pick from a broad array of offerings rather than specialize in just one or two areas….very “liberal arts” of me I guess. And that goes for my history courses as well. I took history classes that covered many different time periods and cultures, although I did take quite a few dealing with Roman history. The summer before my senior year, I went to Rome for a condensed summer abroad program which was an incredible experience (even though it was unbearably warm and the air was filled with more smog than Los Angeles!). Besides history courses, some of my other favorite subjects were sociology and art history. UCLA has such a great offering of courses with excellent professors so I honestly enjoyed going to class….I know that’s geeky of me but it’s true. Taking some time off from college and then going back really made me appreciate a good education.

Traveling (I even get excited about planning the vacation!), spending time with close friends and family, going out for good food, going to the beach, watching Law and Order re-runs on A & E, seeing good movies, and reading home improvement and decorating books and magazines (Home Depot is like Disneyland for me). And I love taking naps!! As Julie Andrews would say, those are some of my most favorite things…I’m really pretty mellow most of the time and sort of a homebody. Not probably what people think of when they hear the word “Playmate”. Although I do like to party sometimes, I’ve never been a big partier. I’d usually rather have an intimate evening with close friends or family or snuggle by myself with a good rental and some munchies. Many of the “party” places in Los Angeles tend to leave me feeling somewhat empty and depressed …they can be full of a lot of attitude and fakeness and I get annoyed by bouncers who let people in based on who they judge as “cool” enough or “good-looking” enough. And then when you get inside, everyone is judging everyone else (I think especially girls can be pretty catty in LA clubs)….it’s all enough for me to wish I was at home watching CNN!! I just find the whole scene silly and full of a mix-up of priorities…the fact that whether you are wearing the latest fashion is taken so seriously. Herd mentality. But I do make my occasional nightclub appearance to appease some of my friends and for a dose of Los Angeles craziness. I just try to keep it to a minimum.

Yes, I do read all of my email personally. And I answer all of the members’ email myself….I try to answer all of my fan mail but that is often difficult with my work schedule (and answering the volume of members’ email I get!). But you can rest assured that if you get an email from me, it is personally written by me.

I am no longer in law school! So many people have asked me that question this past year. I left after the first semester because I realized that it just simply wasn’t my thing. It is so important to do something you truly enjoy, and I knew that it wouldn’t involve law. I found myself dreading class, which is very unlike me…after all, I really loved pretty much all of my undergrad classes. When I would try to study my casebooks, my mind would just wander as if to tell me that I shouldn’t be there. After a few months, I trusted my gut feeling and decided to withdraw which was a tough decision but the right one I firmly believe. I’m glad I went though…made me really question my goals in life and what I wanted to accomplish. Now I’m focusing my attention on this website and modeling as well as taking some courses in real estate. I’m interested in investment possibilities, specifically fixer-uppers. I’ve always loved homes, home improvement, and decorating so I think I would really enjoy getting involved in that. It would combine both analytical and creative thinking as well as give me an excuse to shop at Home Depot all the time ;)!

It is a lot of work, having my own website and running it myself pretty much, but I truly love it! It’s really given me a lot of creative control. It’s great because I can really put my personality into it. And I’m having fun learning all the various components involved…from the financial, production, design, and marketing aspects. And I love being able to interact with all of my fans. I can honestly say that I think I have some of the coolest fans out there, which makes working very enjoyable!

I don’t have any children yet, but I definitely want to have a family some day. I think a lot of it comes from the fact that I have such a wonderful, supportive family who I’m very close to. And there’s just something about children that lightens up my day when I’m around them. I say I want three or four, but we’ll see….I might change my mind after the first one ;)! But I definitely want to be ready before I have children and plan ahead.

All of my past boyfriends have been really cool about it. I think one reason for that is because the photos are done in a classy and beautiful manner. Also I think having a high level of trust and respect for each other made them secure with it. My parents were a mixed bag of emotions at first. My father was actually okay with it, but my conservative Japanese mother was not. She envisioned all of the neighbors and her friends thinking it was a bad thing. But when that didn't happen, she slowly changed her perspective. Some of her friends even ask me for autographs which I find funny. Now they are both pretty supportive about it, although I don't exactly show them the pictures!

Tahiti. Hands down. Although the Bahamas was pretty nice too. Playboy shot the newsstand special, “Sexy Swimsuits”, there in 1995.

Cheating, ignorance, know it alls, traffic, skinny legs, dishonest people, arrogance, cattiness, attitude, smoking, one dimensional people and attitudes, people being opinionated when they aren’t really educated on the subject they are talking about, fanaticism of any kind, anal people, saying you are going to do something and not following through-false promises, diets, pushy people, making fun of people maliciously, frat boy behavior, herd mentality……

Good food, romantic getaways, candles, bubble baths, massages, the ocean, good music, fireplaces, the rain, strong hands, intense eye contact, sensitivity…..

Independent thinking, intelligence and insight, sense of humor, mellow attitude, good kisser, patience, good cook to make up for my lack of, independent interests, secure self-esteem, good with children, kind heart (no bad boys…), someone who treats me with respect and shares my love for travel…..

I started with Playboy so that was in 1994 essentially (when we shot the centerfold pictorial)….so about 7 years now. I slowed down a bit while I went back to school full-time in 1997, but still continued to do some modeling.

Honestly, I had never really thought about it until it happened basically. I just sort of fell into it. In high school, I definitely did not imagine I would be a model much less pose for Playboy.

I stopped pursuing acting when I decided to go back to school full-time. I don’t think I will pursue it again, but never say never I guess….

Kooky, unconventional, independent, and down to earth come to mind.

I think most people are surprised by how normal and down-to-earth I seem. That and how tiny I am ;).

I don’t really have just one favorite color. I have different favorite colors for different things, especially for clothes. One color that I’ve always been drawn to, though, is blue…Maybe because it reminds me of the ocean.

I really love all kinds of food…especially Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Indian. I love pasta, ramen, rice dishes, and any kind of dessert in particular - I’m a carb lover! I’m not a huge fan of are seafood in general (although I love lobster, clam chowder, shrimp tempura, tuna sandwiches and some kinds of sushi) and basic steak or meat (I need some sort of marination going on). I usually eat pretty much whatever I want and don’t follow a diet most of the time. However, when I have a big shoot coming up, I will try to eat less carbs and more protein and vegetables.

Between work, vacationing, and being a Navy brat, I have traveled to many places both in the United States and around the world. So far, I’d probably have to say the most memorable place I’ve been to is a tie between Moscow, Rome, and Bora Bora. I visited Moscow in 1996 (along with other Playmates Barbara Moore and Stacey Sanches) on a Playboy job to promote the Russian edition of Playboy. I’ve been to Rome twice and it is amazing how much history and culture there is to see and experience there - it is pretty unreal when you are standing next to structures that were built thousands of years ago and to imagine what life was like back then. And who would travel to Bora Bora and not find it one of the most incredible places on Earth (I would call them crazy anyway!)? You can read about many of my experiences in Tahiti in several of my Musings…..

I must admit that I am not a regular at the Mansion parties - it’s not really my scene. But I have been there many times, for both parties and business functions they host there, and it is absolutely beautiful. My favorite part is the pool and grotto area that has been publicized a lot. The outside pool continues inside into a cave-like interior. All around the pool are beanbags and chairs for lounging around. Hef’s own private zoo, complete with squirrel monkeys and flamingos, is pretty impressive as well. As for Hef, he’s really sweet and actually seems to me a little shy.

I guess it has by the fact that it has been a big part of my life for the last 7 years and got me into modeling. But I’m still really the same person I was before I first posed for Playboy….I really hang out with the same friends and continue to make other things not related to modeling or Playboy, such as my family and education, the main focus of my life. I don’t get recognized too often (or at least many are too shy to say something) - I think because I dress very casual usually and don’t wear too much, if any, make-up when I am not working. So posing hasn’t really changed my day-to-day life all too much other than the fact it is what I do for a living.

I try to work out on a regular basis. Usually that consists of doing about 20-30 minutes of cardio on the elliptical or step machine and then doing some weight training. I try to add in a kickboxing or aerobic class in sometimes to mix things up…it’s always good to have variety. Depending on my schedule, I try to do some form of physical activity at least a few times a week….but there are times I get lazy or am just too busy to find the time to work out. I guess I’m like everyone else when it comes to that.

For 16 years or so, ballet was such a large part of my life that people find it strange that I don’t really practice it anymore. I think many who have studied something for so long would agree that it is hard to do it again at a much less intense rate. To be at the same level of ability I had reached before quitting or even close, I would have to take lessons and practice pretty much everyday which obviously I can no longer do. But I do still think of taking lessons and getting back into it….and attempting to just take lessons for fun without being too serious about it. I do miss it so we’ll see.

Traveling is one of my biggest pleasures so there are so many places I would love to visit. I think experiencing different cultures and perspectives is just so refreshing and rejuvenating. I would much rather spend money traveling than to buy an expensive car. I guess it’s the military brat in me J. Greece, Egypt, Africa, St. Barthes, Scotland, and Indonesia are some that are high on my list.

I really like all types of music from classical to classic rock to alternative. Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Wild Gift are a few favorites. I’m not the biggest fan of country, although I have to say that my first music purchase at a military exchange in Okinawa was a cassette tape of Crystal Gale’s in 1982. I was 7….Kenny Rogers isn’t too bad either….

I was born in Pensacola, Florida on February 1, 1974.

If the terms were right, I would. They like to reuse photos from past photo shoots and they take so many at each shoot that they build up a huge inventory, especially of the Playmates.

I'm usually not on a diet but I try not to eat a lot of carbohydrates before a shoot. Periodically I'll go the Atkin's Diet for about two weeks. But other than that, I eat pretty much whatever I want (within reason!). I love food and it's one of life pleasures I believe so I only diet when I really have to. Besides, I don't think it's sexy or healthy to be stick thin.

I've worked with a lot of great photographers in the last 8 years so it's really hard to just pick one. Steven Wayda and Arny Freytag are probably my favorite Playboy photographers and recently I've loved working with Lisa Boyle, Truent, and Jean-Paul. It's fun now working on my own because I get to pick which photographers I want to work with and I always love trying new ones out for variety. Each photographer has a different way of seeing each model and it's interesting to see that in the photo.

Tough choice�.so many places but I'd have to say my back because it's ultra sensitive.

I do get tan lines sometimes but I usually go to the tanning bed a few times before a shoot to even out the skin color. I also use tanning cr�me before a shoot to add some more color and shine. I generally try not to tan too much because it is bad for your skin but I like the way it looks in photos so tanning cr�me helps a lot.

I know a lot of people are one or the other but I actually love both. Although, if I had to pick just one, I would probably pick a dog. Animals are great�.they give such unconditional love.

Actually all three at different times but usually I shave�.sometimes I do wax if I have the time. Waxing is great because it last for several weeks but I hate how you have to let the hair grow to a certain length. Shaving is quick and simple�even if you have to do it more often. For the eyebrows, I almost always tweeze.

The sex of the photographer is not really an issue either way for me�.all that is really important is that I feel comfortable with the photographer and that there's artistic chemistry�meaning that you have similar ideas of how you want the photos to look.

Neither�.most of the time I wear no underwear�.it's the most comfortable to be honest. Of course sometimes you have to wear underwear and I either wear thongs or coolots �.coolots are my favorite if I have to wear panties because they tend to be the most comfy. Granny panties are not only unsexy�.they are also uncomfortable in my opinion.

Black lace corsets with garters and black thi-highs�.preferably by La Perla.

I love pretty much all flowers�.especially roses (in unusual colors), orchids, bougainvillea, and plumeria (the smell is amazing!).

Debit card, chapstick, hand lotion, date book, pen, and cell phone.

Ice Cream (Haagen-Dazs chocolate chip cookie dough), Big Mac with fries, Fettuccine Alfredo, chocolate, and pasta in pink cream sauce (yum!).

La Perla, Saks Fifth Avenue, Victoria Secret's, and small boutique shops. It's fun to have a legitimate excuse for buying lingerie! :)

Bali, Bora Bora, cabin in the snow, hotel overlooking the San Francisco skyline in Sausalito, Amalfi Coast in Italy, Capri, Anguilla, Northeast United States in the autumn, Paris, Big Sur, Switzerland in the winter.

Kevin Spacey, Nicholas Cage, Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, Josh Hartnett, Jeff Bridges, Harrison Ford, John Corbett

Michelle Pfeiffer, Francis McDormant, Rachel Griffiths, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Kristin Scott Thomas

Crustacean, Asia De Cuba, Katana, Joe's, Cheesecake Factory, Palomino's, Carmine's II

For the face it's in the eyes�.I think you can tell a man's personality from his eyes�.his intelligence, his kindness, his humor�there's nothing sexier than two people's eyes meeting and gazing at each other discreetly. For the body, I love nice hands and forearms�.nice strong hands make a girl feel so feminine and are super sexy.