Tuesday, May 19, 2009

2009 Playmate of the Year

After an overall weak year of competitors for Playmate of the Year and a tougher, deeper class for Cyber Girl of the Year, we've gotten our answers for both, and they've been surprising in the oddest ways. With a deep class of CGOY candidates, we were left with an oddball choice that befuddled fans in Sharae Spears, and one which will go down as one of the bigger upsets in Playboy's history. The PMOY choice for 2009, however, is one that is a pleasant surprise that might just be one of the best ever.

The choice of Ida Ljungqvist for Playmate of the Year was leaked quite a while ago with Playboy-sponsored hints and rumors, but it's been recently announced in the Cyber Club, making it official to the Playboy world. It's being lauded as a fantastic choice by fans all over, and for very good reason. Ida is a fascinating choice for PMOY, and one that few expected, considering the powerful following behind Juliette Frette. People were sure Juliette would be a shoo-in. And even if it wasn't her, Laura Croft or Kelly Carrington looked like surefire contenders to take the crown.

Why did people doubt Ida's chances? Why should they have? In a year where diversity has been celebrated in the USA and around the world? In an era where things are turning around and "exotic" is the word in terms of modeling? Surely, a Swedish/African living in America would be the ideal choice for our times, but somehow we all didn't see it coming. Maybe we weren't ready before, but Ida has brought real change to the way we see Playmates.

Gone are the busty blonde bombshells with cookie-cutter looks and blank stares. Gone is the pasty white skin and ruby lipstick. Ida Ljungqvist may go down as one of the most important Playmates of the Year ever, but not just for her ethnicity or her position, but for her incredible performances and outstanding beauty.

Ida, in every way, is a well-deserving model, and incredibly qualified for the PMOY crown. Her Playmate of the Year pictorial is simple, well-produced, and memorable, while being well in keeping with her identity and photogenic style. It showcases her otherworldly, ethereal body complete with every voluptuous curve and glistening muscle. Simple shots, like this one, give a great view of Ida's well-toned but substantial body, as well as that sexy dark hue that makes her one of the best black Playmates in history. Ida, once again, is a dream to behold, taking every single angle and working her body all the way to the end.

I must say bravo for a wonderful PMOY pictorial, because they so often fall short of expectations. In the shower, Ida continues her incredible performance, taking on complete nudity in the water, in a state where she just glows. Photographer Stephen Wayda knows what to focus on, too, as Ida's strength lies in her hips, and the pictorial knows where to take its direction. As it draws to a close, it takes a lighter, brighter feel which is less agressive with Ida's body, with Ida on white sheets in a classic theme that never fails to disappoint.

All in all, a very excellent performance from a girl who can go down as one of the great PMOY's of all-time. Ida is a girl with layers and layers of depth, who can transform photos with her engaging smile and unique face, and who is a welcome addition to the history of Playboy's Playmates. Thanks to Playboy for not taking the shortcut here and the easy way out, but taking up the challenge instead of making such a powerfully sexual subject and making her even better through immortalization.



Consensus... A

Ida Ljungqvist
Playmate of the Year 2009

3 comments:

Silvio said...

Well, my choice was Juliette but Ida is ok, she's beautiful and has a wonderful body, but I disagree with you about her modeling qualities cause she has the same face in all of her shots, she is always the same and even that I regonize her beauty I can't see her X-factor to be a PMOY. And for last but not forgot, I disagree with you again: her PMOY pictorial is one of the worst in years, in my opinion. It's poor and if she were a great model you and anyone else will not get attention on it. Where is the inspirations... in fact, Ida can't make me look at her the way I should and the way I still look for Juliette. Ida is fine, but a PMOY needs to be more than just "fine". That's all, dude.

Anonymous said...

She was not my choice either and I found this pictorial to be totally underwhelming as well. They used to go to exotic locales, or the great outdoors, or at least a decent set for the PMOY, but this time, the PMOY pictorial looks more like a Playmate preview pictorial or worse a souped up Cybergirl pictorial than anything else.

Luke said...

Ida is one of the best pmoys ever! Her smile is like a mix of Carmella Decesare and Nicole Narain. Beautiful switch up in having it at the Palms. The cyber club collection is great, loved seeing her all over the vegas scene. Vegas like Ida, represents the "new era". Ida looked awesome in the vegas backdrop in shots #8 and #9, WOWW!! And the shower shots are immaculate. All to go along with a FLAWLESS figure, and I mean absolutley flawless. Ida reigns in 2009 with her stunning performance and regal posing style succeding Jayde's playful and statuesque pictorial of last year, Ida nailed it. She is so sweet in person too, possibly even more beautiful inside than out. And at her PMOY dinner, she glowed and BY FAR outchined every woman of 2008. It was as if though there was an angelic aura about her. Ida is very special. She is very very girl next door meets beautiful glamour girl, what playboy looks for in its women. Im very happy Ida got it.

Now we have the TIGHT race to the PMOY 2010 crown, have a feeling that there will be TWO winners next year, and I'll leave that open to interpretation :)