‘Playboy 2000 Playmate’
By Michelle Ramos
search ends up in Hawaii
Star-BulletinLehua Boyd doesn't expect to be chosen as "Playboy 2000 Playmate." But, hopefully, having her picture in their file will open other career doors. Boyd, 28, a model and actress, hopes to be one of those lucky people who have had their careers launched through Playboy.
She and about 20 other women were scheduled for interviews yesterday for the "Playboy 2000 Playmate" search.
"We're looking for someone attractive and physically fit," said Kevin Kuster, associate photography editor for Playboy. "Someone who is going to become the next media darling. Who's going to be the next Jenny McCarthy or Pam Anderson. Who goes on to aspire to even greater things. Kind of when you're around that person you're like, 'Wow, I want to get to know that person.' "
Kuster, a photographer and two assistants are spending three days in Honolulu interviewing and photographing wanna be playmates at the Hawaii Prince Hotel. The search has been going on since July and has already hit 42 cities with six more to go.
Even if the women don't become one of the "millennium models," Kuster said they could possibly become another feature of the magazine. For instance, they may do a pictorial on lawyers since many have turned out for the search.
Laurie, a 5-foot-3-inch 27-year-old model who did not want to give her last name, was told to try for Playmate by several friends. "They have more confidence in me than I have in myself," said Laurie, who feels she has a slim chance at getting the Playboy 2000 title. Laurie, who has been modeling since she was 12 and has acted in several local TV productions, never modeled nude before but said she would be comfortable modeling for Playboy because they are a "classy" magazine. If chosen as the January 2000 playmate, Laurie said she would invest the $200,000 modeling fee. "I'm too short to have a career as a model," Laurie said. She also hopes the exposure will open herself to acting jobs.To schedule a test session, call 943-4133. Kuster and his staff will be available through tomorrow to see candidates. Each interview takes approximately 15 minutes and consists of completion of a couple of forms and on-site picture taking of five to eight shots.
All applicants must be 18 or older and provide two forms of identification at the time of their test session (one ID must have a photo).
Candidates are also asked to wear heels and a bathing suit beneath their street clothes.
For those unable to attend a test session, photos can be mailed to: Playmate 2000 Search, Playboy Magazine, 680 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Ill. 60611. No photos will be returned.
All candidates pictures will be judged by Kuster and three other editors. An open number of "strong" candidates will be flown to Chicago or Los Angeles for another photo session then those photos will be given to Hugh Hefner for a final decision.
