On a warm summer night on July 17th in Leesburg, Virginia a
future Playmate was born, ready to take on the world. I was told I was a quiet
baby, but boy did I surprise those around me as the years rolled on by. As any
kid I loved having fun in school and sports were a big part of those early
years. Playing soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and participating in track and
field events kept me very busy. Yep! I was destined for a gold medal. Heee
heee. I also enjoyed swimming, horseback riding, and taking photographs and
posing with my animals and favorite toys. I was fortunate enough to be able to
experience many different activities like scuba diving, skiing, and traveling
with my parents while I was growing up.
My childhood was happy and filled with love, family, and lots of
pets.
Even at a young age I was fascinated by the women on swimsuit posters. I thought
those women were the most beautiful women ever and I longed to look like them.
This began my desire to be a model. My thoughts changed from year to year, but I
always knew I wanted to go to college and have a career. I was very shy as a
child (a trait I still have today) and could barely order food for myself when I
went out to dinner. Luckily my step mother helped me to break out of my shell a
little bit and become more assertive. My childhood was happy and filled with
love, family, and lots of pets. Until 12 years old I lived in Virginia and
attended a wonderful private school. In the eight grade the family moved to
Maryland, where I attended a co-ed catholic school. This was quite a change for
me. A catholic education continued through high school. ( I still have my
catholic school uniform, which you may get to see me in .....)
At 14 I wanted to get a job. Work opportunities were few and far between,
leading me to do telemarketing for a home improvement company. Yes, I was one of
those annoying people that called you at dinnertime or early on Saturday
morning. Hey! This kid needed a job. At 15 years of age things took a turn
upwards. I started working as a waitress at a local pizza and sub restaurant
called Sammy’s. I worked at Sammy’s until I was a freshman in college. Nope I
didn't eat the profits. At nearly 18 years old, I met the person who would
change my life forever, Jim. He owned several Miss USA state beauty pageants and
helped me get started in the world of pageants and modeling. Without him I would
not be where I am today and I am so thankful to have him as a friend. After
seeing my family, Jim is the next person I visit when I go home.
I took a semester off to regroup...
Thanks to family (a University of Maryland alumni) I became interested in
attending the University of Maryland. I majored in psychology until junior year
when I switched to criminal justice. As a freshman at Maryland I had way too
much fun working in a bar and pledging a sorority and received many parking
tickets on campus. My parents still tease me about the fines for all of those
parking tickets. After my first year, I took a semester off to regroup after my
crazy and wild first year at college. I worked at Chili’s and travelled around
entering beauty pageants. I was fortunate enough to travel to Turks and Caicos,
Canada, and Hawaii for pageants. I didn’t win many pageants, but I learned many
valuable skills and met the Playboy photographer (David Mecey) that would start
my career with Playboy.
After becoming a playmate I stayed in school...
A month after meeting David Mecey, I was shooting in New York for Playboy’s
special editions. The shoot was successful and I shot several more times for the
special editions. Playboy staff photographer Richard Fegley saw my photos in the
special editions and told the editor they should test me for centerfold. Several
months later I was called to shoot my gatefold (centerfold photo) at the Playboy
office in Chicago. After becoming a playmate I stayed in school and finished my
degree in criminal justice. During my junior and senior years, I worked as a
teaching assistant for several undergraduate classes in the criminology dept.
while trying to balance photo shoots and appearances.
I never thought I would live in LA...
Before graduating from Maryland I bought my first condo. With lots of help from
my father and uncle, we remodeled the entire condo. After graduation I made my
second investment, purchasing a home in Northern Virginia. Another year later I
moved to Los Angeles to continue my modeling career. I never thought I would
live in LA, but it has turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made.
With all said and done, this east coast girl’s dreams and goals have been
rewarding with many blessing from above.
I thank my family, friends and Playboy for such a wonderful life. And for
myself, this is only the beginning...
xoxo
Tiffany