#12
Lisa Seiffert, Miss March
Age 29 | 34C-24-35 | 5'11" | 125 lbs
One of the tallest Playmates in years, Lisa can be noted as the last Playmate of the Cyber Club era. Her pictorial looks like a hodgepodge of modeling shots, a hasty mess with little to sit back and appreciate. She's entirely unpolished and unqualified to be a Playmate, and seemingly got the short end of the stick with very minimal production value whatsoever.
The Good: While there's not a whole lot you can gather from Lisa's paltry offering, you will find that she's tall. I'm talking enormously tall, at almost six feet. Lisa is the tallest Playmate since 1999's Natalia Sokolova (also 5' 11"), and it shows in her photos. Her slim, leggy body is a lone standout here.
The Bad: While Lisa's height and the apparent toughness of her frame are why she was chosen as Playmate, the editors did nothing to further that dream. Lisa's pictorial is weak and pathetic, with only a handful of photos doing her any justice. The awkward poses may simply be due to the meager subject matter, but be that as it may this is just unacceptable. Lisa is a "filler" Playmate, if there ever was one.
Face: B-
Body: B
Talent: B
Pictorial: C
Centerfold: B
Overall: B-
#11
Beth Williams, Miss August
Age 25 | 34C-24-34 | 5'9" | 123 lbs
After a long turn as a Cyber Club model and years of notoriety for being a girl next door with a well-proportioned body and ample posing skill, Playboy finally succumbed to fan pressure and made Miss Williams a Playmate. Now, many fans might be outraged at my placement of Beth at #11, and this might be akin to me putting Jaclyn Swedberg so low last year, but the truth is I never "got" Beth as a model. She is a pretty girl, but that's where the appeal ends. In her Playmate appearance, Beth's bleached hair and strange face just turned me off, and sunk her in my rankings.
The Good: Throughout her years as a Cyber Girl, it's been Beth's body that is her finest feature. It's all at once natural, toned, and wonderfully photogenic. It's not ever eye-catchingly proportioned, but that's never the case with Miss Williams. Beth also shows flashes of being a physical, aware poser, but never goes far enough.
The Bad: The best word to describe Beth is boring. Here's a model who's made all the rounds, but never really took her skills to the next echelon. And for that, she suffers greatly, putting on a Playmate performance on the downward slope of her career. She is past her prime here, delivering a yawn-inspiring performance. Her edgy, odd face never jives with the camera, and her physical wonder is not nearly enough to offset her strange appearance in photos. And that hair is just too bright to mention.
Face: B
Body: B+
Talent: B
Pictorial: C+
Centerfold: B
Overall: B
The youngest Playmate of 2012 was also one of the oddest choices, with nary a true qualifying trait that makes her right for Miss December. While the Polish model is quite beautiful and pleasant to lay eyes on, she suffers from a dearth of talent and never gets comfortable in her own nudity. While Amanda has the physical goods to take it further, it's her placement as a Playmate that is still puzzling, especially after following some tough acts.
The Good: Amanda is strongly photogenic, which you would otherwise think could catapult a woman into the top 5 for a year. She also has a really fine body, with great length and a slinky, soft, and feminine frame that really suits her posing style. Amanda is tight, long, and lean, and that just transfers extremely well into photos.
The Bad: While Amanda does have her selling points, she suffers greatly as Playmates have done in the past, simply because she's not suited for the job. Miss Streich has the build and pedigree of a stylish Polish fashion star, but is never comfortable being nude. She's dolled up as is protocol, but never wears her lingerie with the conviction and attitude that a great Playmate does. She never strikes a great pose, and her odd facial structure and angular features never soften the blow.
One of the more distinctive Playmates of the year, Britany is a spunky, fiery girl with a retro twist. Her smoky eyes, short blonde hair, and edgy posing style is all a tribute to Playmates of the past. Heck, she even sported a sexy pubic bush to take it to the next level. What I saw in Britany was a girl with talent and a great offering to back it all up, but without the real physical tools to rise above the cream of the Playmate crop. Still, in a class as deep as this year's, Britany is a fine girl, with a sexy take on the role of the modern Playmate. With some of the up-and-down talent of 2012, it was refreshing to see a deserving selection like her to shake things up.
The Good: Britany is glamorous, bombastic, and seductive. She takes the pictorial theme given to her (with all its flaws) and runs with it, transforming it into an above average performance. If some of the other ladies on this list had half the talent Miss Nola had and showed it like she did, they'd have fared better on my rankings. The periodic flashes of a coy smile or a raise of the eyebrow do wonders for this model, and on skill alone she earns the title of Playmate.
The Bad: If only Britany had the physical goods to go along with that charisma, we'd have a whole different ranking right here. Instead, a pale, overly slim body with little to really stimulate the senses leaves a whole lot of talent with little to rest itself on. Although the pubes are a nice touch, the homage goes so far. Britany's face makes for some beautiful expressions, but is never memorable, and comes across as sadly average in a year with few amazing faces. Thus, Britany is yet another example of what could have been.
#10
Amanda Streich, Miss December
Age 19 | 34C-26-35 | 5'9" | 126 lbs
The youngest Playmate of 2012 was also one of the oddest choices, with nary a true qualifying trait that makes her right for Miss December. While the Polish model is quite beautiful and pleasant to lay eyes on, she suffers from a dearth of talent and never gets comfortable in her own nudity. While Amanda has the physical goods to take it further, it's her placement as a Playmate that is still puzzling, especially after following some tough acts.The Good: Amanda is strongly photogenic, which you would otherwise think could catapult a woman into the top 5 for a year. She also has a really fine body, with great length and a slinky, soft, and feminine frame that really suits her posing style. Amanda is tight, long, and lean, and that just transfers extremely well into photos.
The Bad: While Amanda does have her selling points, she suffers greatly as Playmates have done in the past, simply because she's not suited for the job. Miss Streich has the build and pedigree of a stylish Polish fashion star, but is never comfortable being nude. She's dolled up as is protocol, but never wears her lingerie with the conviction and attitude that a great Playmate does. She never strikes a great pose, and her odd facial structure and angular features never soften the blow.
Face: B-
Body: B+
Talent: B
Pictorial: B
Centerfold: B
Overall: B
Raquel tied off the third of the year and became a heavy fan favorite. With a pearly smile and a sinewy smooth body, she won the hearts and minds of Playboy fans and instantly became a frontrunner in the race. To me, though, she can't stand her own in an otherwise relatively strong class with some good talent. Raquel is just an average girl with average talent. Although I can't argue with her selection as a Playmate, she falls towards the back of the pack here.
The Good: Given Raquel's shortcomings in her pictorial, she's still a glowing and alluring girl with lots to offer the camera. She is far more deserving of the Playmate title than any of the other three in the countdown so far, mainly due to her exotic appeal and soft features. Her face is one of the prettiest of the year, with easy eyes and lovely long locks. This is a girl with flashes of talent that I can see winning PMOY as a darkhorse, sort of how Jaclyn took it last year. What could carry her that far is simply her intangible photogenic appeal.
The Bad: It's somewhat obvious what makes Raquel so popular, it's more important as to what keeps her held back. As with the other ladies who lag behind this year, it's simply her lack of Playmate punch that holds her from being a true star. Firstly, it's her physical shortcomings that really come across. Raquel is overly skinny and angular, with her body never coming through well in pictures. The pictorial suffers because of poor lighting technique, and Raquel's body just looks awkward and too tall in the process. This, on top of Miss Pomplun's lack of sexual intensity, combine to hold her back. If it was any other year, she might have skyrocketed to fame, but I'll keep her at #9 on my list.
#9
Raquel Pomplun, Miss April
Age 24 | 34B-25-36 | 5'6" | 123 lbs
Raquel tied off the third of the year and became a heavy fan favorite. With a pearly smile and a sinewy smooth body, she won the hearts and minds of Playboy fans and instantly became a frontrunner in the race. To me, though, she can't stand her own in an otherwise relatively strong class with some good talent. Raquel is just an average girl with average talent. Although I can't argue with her selection as a Playmate, she falls towards the back of the pack here.
The Good: Given Raquel's shortcomings in her pictorial, she's still a glowing and alluring girl with lots to offer the camera. She is far more deserving of the Playmate title than any of the other three in the countdown so far, mainly due to her exotic appeal and soft features. Her face is one of the prettiest of the year, with easy eyes and lovely long locks. This is a girl with flashes of talent that I can see winning PMOY as a darkhorse, sort of how Jaclyn took it last year. What could carry her that far is simply her intangible photogenic appeal.
The Bad: It's somewhat obvious what makes Raquel so popular, it's more important as to what keeps her held back. As with the other ladies who lag behind this year, it's simply her lack of Playmate punch that holds her from being a true star. Firstly, it's her physical shortcomings that really come across. Raquel is overly skinny and angular, with her body never coming through well in pictures. The pictorial suffers because of poor lighting technique, and Raquel's body just looks awkward and too tall in the process. This, on top of Miss Pomplun's lack of sexual intensity, combine to hold her back. If it was any other year, she might have skyrocketed to fame, but I'll keep her at #9 on my list.
Face: B+
Body: B-
Talent: B
Pictorial: B
Centerfold: A-
Overall: B
#8
Britany Nola, Miss November
Age 21 | 34B-24-36 | 5'9" | 125 lbs
One of the more distinctive Playmates of the year, Britany is a spunky, fiery girl with a retro twist. Her smoky eyes, short blonde hair, and edgy posing style is all a tribute to Playmates of the past. Heck, she even sported a sexy pubic bush to take it to the next level. What I saw in Britany was a girl with talent and a great offering to back it all up, but without the real physical tools to rise above the cream of the Playmate crop. Still, in a class as deep as this year's, Britany is a fine girl, with a sexy take on the role of the modern Playmate. With some of the up-and-down talent of 2012, it was refreshing to see a deserving selection like her to shake things up.
The Good: Britany is glamorous, bombastic, and seductive. She takes the pictorial theme given to her (with all its flaws) and runs with it, transforming it into an above average performance. If some of the other ladies on this list had half the talent Miss Nola had and showed it like she did, they'd have fared better on my rankings. The periodic flashes of a coy smile or a raise of the eyebrow do wonders for this model, and on skill alone she earns the title of Playmate.
The Bad: If only Britany had the physical goods to go along with that charisma, we'd have a whole different ranking right here. Instead, a pale, overly slim body with little to really stimulate the senses leaves a whole lot of talent with little to rest itself on. Although the pubes are a nice touch, the homage goes so far. Britany's face makes for some beautiful expressions, but is never memorable, and comes across as sadly average in a year with few amazing faces. Thus, Britany is yet another example of what could have been.
Face: B
Body: B
Talent: B+
Pictorial: B+
Centerfold: B+
Overall: B
The first Playmate of 2012, Heather is like an acquired taste that only gets better with time. The gorgeous blonde bombshell is a quintessential part of every Playmate class, and Heather was introduced right off the bat. Although she's had little fanfare or love from the fans in general, it's probably just because Heather fades into the background if you don't take a closer look. Once you dig deeper, Miss Knox is an eye-popping package of a woman, with sumptuous curves and a bright, sinful posing style that really delivers in handfuls. Although she may not get the love in the end, and is a long shot for the PMOY title, Heather ascends my list because she's got just enough to keep coming back for more.
The Good: The body. The big, juicy body. Heather has an atypically stout and square frame for a Playmate, with a small frame that deviates from the exceedingly slender women of this era. Heather is voluptuous and curvaceous all over, and that's what makes her so sexy. Her huge DD breasts are the centerpiece of her pictorial, looking great in every photo when adorned by wisps of her striped blonde hair. Aside from the goods, Heather knows how to move it, with a perky and energetic posing style that is among the most attractive of the year. Although she's no expert, she uses her body to her every advantage, moving and exposing her great body in every picture.
The Bad: Heather may sport a killer body, but she's also not the most memorable of ladies. This is a problem with many of the girls in the bottom of my list, but it's a sad fact. Miss Knox can't hold her own in her pictorial, trying her best but ending up with a weak overall collection. Her face is attractive but generic, her costuming bland and boring, and the overall look crying for something new. You can have all the body in the world, but there were better bodies in 2012, and better performances too.
#7
Heather Knox, Miss January
Age 26 | 34DD-26-35 | 5'4" | 125 lbs
The first Playmate of 2012, Heather is like an acquired taste that only gets better with time. The gorgeous blonde bombshell is a quintessential part of every Playmate class, and Heather was introduced right off the bat. Although she's had little fanfare or love from the fans in general, it's probably just because Heather fades into the background if you don't take a closer look. Once you dig deeper, Miss Knox is an eye-popping package of a woman, with sumptuous curves and a bright, sinful posing style that really delivers in handfuls. Although she may not get the love in the end, and is a long shot for the PMOY title, Heather ascends my list because she's got just enough to keep coming back for more.
The Good: The body. The big, juicy body. Heather has an atypically stout and square frame for a Playmate, with a small frame that deviates from the exceedingly slender women of this era. Heather is voluptuous and curvaceous all over, and that's what makes her so sexy. Her huge DD breasts are the centerpiece of her pictorial, looking great in every photo when adorned by wisps of her striped blonde hair. Aside from the goods, Heather knows how to move it, with a perky and energetic posing style that is among the most attractive of the year. Although she's no expert, she uses her body to her every advantage, moving and exposing her great body in every picture.
The Bad: Heather may sport a killer body, but she's also not the most memorable of ladies. This is a problem with many of the girls in the bottom of my list, but it's a sad fact. Miss Knox can't hold her own in her pictorial, trying her best but ending up with a weak overall collection. Her face is attractive but generic, her costuming bland and boring, and the overall look crying for something new. You can have all the body in the world, but there were better bodies in 2012, and better performances too.
Face: B
Body: A-
Talent: B+
Pictorial: B
Centerfold: B
Overall: B
Springtime Playmate Nikki probably will go down as one of the most forgettable girls of the 2012 group. With such a well-balanced class and some impactful entries, it's easy to see why this small bland blonde would get lost in the fray. And while she never really breaks through in a big way, Nikki kicks off the top half of my rankings simply because she's good at what she does. Miss Leigh is a scrappy poser with presence and energy. While she doesn't come close to possessing the physical bombast of a Heather Knox, per se, she still delivers better, and does so with a certain charm about her.
The Good: There isn't anything complex about Nikki's posing; it's really quite simple, really. This is a solid, talented model whose Playmate nomination may be a little questionable, but is nonetheless a very good model. Nikki's body is tiny, sharing the distinction of being the shortest Playmate of the year. While that's not always a great thing, Nikki makes it work with a very thin profile. Her sensuality can be found in her facial expressions, as she does a good job of conveying emotion and zest with eyes that can sometimes look generic but still very attractive. Nikki is also one of the more talented ladies so far in my ranking, putting up some respectable poses one after another. While the editors hold her back with a conservative pictorial, this model can hold her own.
The Bad: I've already pointed it out, but I'll say it again - Nikki is a hopelessly bland model. Although there may be more than meets the eye due to her occasional flashes of brilliance (she does a hell of a shot in front of a mirror), she never breaks through the wall. It's the case with too many models these days, but Nikki hits that wall again and again. She also doesn't benefit from a body that lacks any defining features, being small but not voluptuous and curvaceous like Shelby's, and not tight and petite like some of the other ladies this year. Nikki is ultimately destined to be forgotten this year, but she put up quite a fight.
#6
Nikki Leigh, Miss May
Age 23 | 34C-26-32 | 5'3" | 112 lbs
Springtime Playmate Nikki probably will go down as one of the most forgettable girls of the 2012 group. With such a well-balanced class and some impactful entries, it's easy to see why this small bland blonde would get lost in the fray. And while she never really breaks through in a big way, Nikki kicks off the top half of my rankings simply because she's good at what she does. Miss Leigh is a scrappy poser with presence and energy. While she doesn't come close to possessing the physical bombast of a Heather Knox, per se, she still delivers better, and does so with a certain charm about her.
The Good: There isn't anything complex about Nikki's posing; it's really quite simple, really. This is a solid, talented model whose Playmate nomination may be a little questionable, but is nonetheless a very good model. Nikki's body is tiny, sharing the distinction of being the shortest Playmate of the year. While that's not always a great thing, Nikki makes it work with a very thin profile. Her sensuality can be found in her facial expressions, as she does a good job of conveying emotion and zest with eyes that can sometimes look generic but still very attractive. Nikki is also one of the more talented ladies so far in my ranking, putting up some respectable poses one after another. While the editors hold her back with a conservative pictorial, this model can hold her own.
The Bad: I've already pointed it out, but I'll say it again - Nikki is a hopelessly bland model. Although there may be more than meets the eye due to her occasional flashes of brilliance (she does a hell of a shot in front of a mirror), she never breaks through the wall. It's the case with too many models these days, but Nikki hits that wall again and again. She also doesn't benefit from a body that lacks any defining features, being small but not voluptuous and curvaceous like Shelby's, and not tight and petite like some of the other ladies this year. Nikki is ultimately destined to be forgotten this year, but she put up quite a fight.
Face: B+
Body: B
Talent: B+
Pictorial: B
Centerfold: B
Overall: B+
The top five girls vying for the 2013 crown starts off with a talent that's on the top of many fans' ballots for PMOY. Sultry and smoldering, Amelia Talon was a staple of the Cyber Club for over a year before her appearance as Playmate. This is a model whose intangible qualities make her one of the most intriguing entries of the 2012 class - she's probably the most sexually provocative girl in the entire group. With a petite but curvaceous and sinewy body, and a piercing and memorable gaze, Amelia is absolutely deserving of the fanfare, and should make her presence felt in the race to the top. While she never makes the leap into being an A-caliber girl, with a weak pictorial holding her back, this is without a doubt one of the ladies to watch moving forward.
The Good: I do like using the word "smoldering" when describing Amelia. She's one of those women that we see from time to time, akin to Jessa Hinton of 2011 or the great Buffy Tyler of 2000. Her eyes and face hit you with a raw and sexual power that really hits on all cylinders, giving her a glowing and immersive feel in each and every photo. While her pictorial falls short, the model is never to blame, capturing each photo and making it her own. Amelia has the innate ability to take command when she wants it. It obviously doesn't hurt to have a body like hers - with a recent breast augmentation it certainly packs more of a punch. But even more so, it's her soft almond tan that looks gorgeous in pictures, and really makes her look exotic. The newfound curvaceous quality of this model is unusual given her slimness, but a beautiful arching back and great posture contribute to an awesome silhouette. A truly luscious model.
The Bad: While I've given Amelia plenty of praise, it's her lack of ability to go above and beyond her limits that constricts her potential. Amelia doesn't seem to have a wide range of posing abilities, putting on a snarl that pervades throughout her pictorial. We'd love to see a greater range of physical posing to help keep a poor pictorial set afloat, but she never manages to do it. While her body and face seem to look good no matter what's going on, this woman could have been so much more.
My Top 3 ladies for the 2012 class kicks off with my early favorite for Playmate of the Year, and one that stood in that position until the year started coming to a close. Leola Bell is a sweet, radiant girl with the body of a truly iconic Playmate. One of the best African American Playmate entries in years (arguably better than Kylie Johnson of last year), Leola pounds the competition this year with a strong presence and an incredible posing style. While she might be a mixed bag to many fans this year, I saw the greatness in Miss Bell, and I think she certainly deserves to be amidst the PMOY competition. If you don't agree, take another look through her pictorial, and better yet, watch her videos. My thoughts are that you'll change your mind, at least a little bit.
The Good: Let's not beat around the bush (or in this case, the clean shaven bush) - Leola is all about the body, and that's why she's perched in this spot among my top 3. Her statuesque figure is truly breathtaking, and with an energy and passionate style, she's a wonder to watch in pictures. Start simply with her gorgeous proportions, where she sports one of the lowest waist-to-hip ratios in years (0.639, the lowest since 55th anniversary Playmate Dasha Astafieva in '09). And it's not just a number - it shows in every photo. Leola is both bombastic and outrageous in her physique, pretty easily the best overall body of the year. Her chiseled, lengthy looking frame is capped off by some great, huge breasts that are the cornerstone of every single photo. Her bronzed skin looks positively radiant all throughout, and it's complemented by what's easily the best butt of the year as well. It's just too well balanced to pass up. Combine this with a hard, physical, and energetic posing style with a sharpness and zeal that oozes through the pages, and you have one of the best Playmates of 2012.
The Bad: Take away the body and the posing, and you can find a flaw or two in Leola's game. For one thing, she might not be so highly ranked in many other years, but this is a class that lacks the top stars, and contains some real depth. Leola has depth, but not necessarily star quality. I would be surprised to see Leola win PMOY, simply because she's not totally accessible to the masses. She does have a great body, but her face is an acquired taste that may delight many (like myself) but not hit as hard for others, having an edgier and more out of the box look. She also lacks the intangibles of a great Playmate, while obviously hitting on all those gushing tangibles. Still, I hope that more fans catch on to just how special Leola is, particularly in what a deserving talent we have here.
#5
Amelia Talon, Miss June
Age 22 | 34D-24-36 | 5'7" | 120 lbs
The top five girls vying for the 2013 crown starts off with a talent that's on the top of many fans' ballots for PMOY. Sultry and smoldering, Amelia Talon was a staple of the Cyber Club for over a year before her appearance as Playmate. This is a model whose intangible qualities make her one of the most intriguing entries of the 2012 class - she's probably the most sexually provocative girl in the entire group. With a petite but curvaceous and sinewy body, and a piercing and memorable gaze, Amelia is absolutely deserving of the fanfare, and should make her presence felt in the race to the top. While she never makes the leap into being an A-caliber girl, with a weak pictorial holding her back, this is without a doubt one of the ladies to watch moving forward.
The Good: I do like using the word "smoldering" when describing Amelia. She's one of those women that we see from time to time, akin to Jessa Hinton of 2011 or the great Buffy Tyler of 2000. Her eyes and face hit you with a raw and sexual power that really hits on all cylinders, giving her a glowing and immersive feel in each and every photo. While her pictorial falls short, the model is never to blame, capturing each photo and making it her own. Amelia has the innate ability to take command when she wants it. It obviously doesn't hurt to have a body like hers - with a recent breast augmentation it certainly packs more of a punch. But even more so, it's her soft almond tan that looks gorgeous in pictures, and really makes her look exotic. The newfound curvaceous quality of this model is unusual given her slimness, but a beautiful arching back and great posture contribute to an awesome silhouette. A truly luscious model.
The Bad: While I've given Amelia plenty of praise, it's her lack of ability to go above and beyond her limits that constricts her potential. Amelia doesn't seem to have a wide range of posing abilities, putting on a snarl that pervades throughout her pictorial. We'd love to see a greater range of physical posing to help keep a poor pictorial set afloat, but she never manages to do it. While her body and face seem to look good no matter what's going on, this woman could have been so much more.
Face: B+
Body: A-
Talent: B+
Pictorial: B
Centerfold: B-
Overall: B+
Towards the tail end of the Playmate class is where we found our obligatory busty Latina Playmate, in this case a young Brazilian beauty by the name of Alana. While it's always great to have our annual entry in this slot, Alana couldn't fully live up to her billing because of a poor pictorial, which wasn't really poorly executed. Alana turned out to be a spectacular woman, one with a body of a champion and the smile of an angel. While she doesn't pack the punch of a Francesca Frigo of yesteryear, Alana holds her own quite well, and is one of the top entries for the year, and is proving to be a definite fan favorite of sorts, rivaled only by Amelia or Raquel.
The Good: The obvious strength of Alana's is her body, and you'll get the impression by looking at just about any photo of this model. While it's not the best of the year, it's still a standout. Alana's curvaceous breasts are nearly perfect, perfectly framing a supple and silky smooth body. Her neckline is feminine and attractive, tapering down to her upper body beautifully. Her lower body is certainly streamlined, with some great height at 5' 9", although I kept wishing that the photographers would do this justice by getting her long legs in the shot more often. It's something that's underutilized but certainly not underappreciated by myself. To top it all off, Alana has a knack for the camera, flashing a spectacular cheek-to-cheek smile in as many shots as possible. The glowing, toothy grin is Miss Campos's hallmark, giving her a unique look that deviates from those Brazilian bombshells before her.
The Bad: Alana's primary misstep is her weak pictorial, probably with no fault of her own. This is a talented and incredibly photogenic model that got a raw deal and a weak, bland picture set. Alana has skill, but not the kind of skill to really overcome the lack of direction. As I've said before, she never goes with a certain motif, either being too conservative and playful or at times looking edgy and sexy. I would have wanted her to be more aggressive at times, since her body time is conducive to some really hot poses, but she's never given the opportunity. Also, I'd have to say that I was a little disappointed in the overall balance of Alana's body, with her lower body just not cutting it when putting it up to the standards of some of the other ladies of this class and before. While it's got great length, it's not enough to be an "A+" sort of physique, and that's a shame.
#4
Alana Campos, Miss September
Age 20 | 36C-25-36 | 5'9" | 118 lbs
Towards the tail end of the Playmate class is where we found our obligatory busty Latina Playmate, in this case a young Brazilian beauty by the name of Alana. While it's always great to have our annual entry in this slot, Alana couldn't fully live up to her billing because of a poor pictorial, which wasn't really poorly executed. Alana turned out to be a spectacular woman, one with a body of a champion and the smile of an angel. While she doesn't pack the punch of a Francesca Frigo of yesteryear, Alana holds her own quite well, and is one of the top entries for the year, and is proving to be a definite fan favorite of sorts, rivaled only by Amelia or Raquel.The Good: The obvious strength of Alana's is her body, and you'll get the impression by looking at just about any photo of this model. While it's not the best of the year, it's still a standout. Alana's curvaceous breasts are nearly perfect, perfectly framing a supple and silky smooth body. Her neckline is feminine and attractive, tapering down to her upper body beautifully. Her lower body is certainly streamlined, with some great height at 5' 9", although I kept wishing that the photographers would do this justice by getting her long legs in the shot more often. It's something that's underutilized but certainly not underappreciated by myself. To top it all off, Alana has a knack for the camera, flashing a spectacular cheek-to-cheek smile in as many shots as possible. The glowing, toothy grin is Miss Campos's hallmark, giving her a unique look that deviates from those Brazilian bombshells before her.
The Bad: Alana's primary misstep is her weak pictorial, probably with no fault of her own. This is a talented and incredibly photogenic model that got a raw deal and a weak, bland picture set. Alana has skill, but not the kind of skill to really overcome the lack of direction. As I've said before, she never goes with a certain motif, either being too conservative and playful or at times looking edgy and sexy. I would have wanted her to be more aggressive at times, since her body time is conducive to some really hot poses, but she's never given the opportunity. Also, I'd have to say that I was a little disappointed in the overall balance of Alana's body, with her lower body just not cutting it when putting it up to the standards of some of the other ladies of this class and before. While it's got great length, it's not enough to be an "A+" sort of physique, and that's a shame.
Face: B+
Body: A-
Talent: A-
Pictorial: B
Centerfold: B
Overall: A-
Overall: A-
#3
Leola Bell, Miss February
Age 27 | 35D-23-36 | 5'4" | 114 lbs
My Top 3 ladies for the 2012 class kicks off with my early favorite for Playmate of the Year, and one that stood in that position until the year started coming to a close. Leola Bell is a sweet, radiant girl with the body of a truly iconic Playmate. One of the best African American Playmate entries in years (arguably better than Kylie Johnson of last year), Leola pounds the competition this year with a strong presence and an incredible posing style. While she might be a mixed bag to many fans this year, I saw the greatness in Miss Bell, and I think she certainly deserves to be amidst the PMOY competition. If you don't agree, take another look through her pictorial, and better yet, watch her videos. My thoughts are that you'll change your mind, at least a little bit.
The Good: Let's not beat around the bush (or in this case, the clean shaven bush) - Leola is all about the body, and that's why she's perched in this spot among my top 3. Her statuesque figure is truly breathtaking, and with an energy and passionate style, she's a wonder to watch in pictures. Start simply with her gorgeous proportions, where she sports one of the lowest waist-to-hip ratios in years (0.639, the lowest since 55th anniversary Playmate Dasha Astafieva in '09). And it's not just a number - it shows in every photo. Leola is both bombastic and outrageous in her physique, pretty easily the best overall body of the year. Her chiseled, lengthy looking frame is capped off by some great, huge breasts that are the cornerstone of every single photo. Her bronzed skin looks positively radiant all throughout, and it's complemented by what's easily the best butt of the year as well. It's just too well balanced to pass up. Combine this with a hard, physical, and energetic posing style with a sharpness and zeal that oozes through the pages, and you have one of the best Playmates of 2012.
The Bad: Take away the body and the posing, and you can find a flaw or two in Leola's game. For one thing, she might not be so highly ranked in many other years, but this is a class that lacks the top stars, and contains some real depth. Leola has depth, but not necessarily star quality. I would be surprised to see Leola win PMOY, simply because she's not totally accessible to the masses. She does have a great body, but her face is an acquired taste that may delight many (like myself) but not hit as hard for others, having an edgier and more out of the box look. She also lacks the intangibles of a great Playmate, while obviously hitting on all those gushing tangibles. Still, I hope that more fans catch on to just how special Leola is, particularly in what a deserving talent we have here.
Face: B
Body: A
Talent: A-
Pictorial: A
Centerfold: B+
Overall: A-
Each year, we have what I like to call the "impact Playmate," who really puts a stamp on the class by exuding a uniqueness that defines the year. Last year, she was Amanda Cerny, before that it was Katie Vernola, and in '09 Kim Phillips was the standard bearer. This year, it's pretty clear-cut to me that Pamela Horton is that woman. I can't really say enough about this model in this short rundown, but suffice it to say that this girl is one of the most intriguing, special Playmates I've seen in years. The reasons are numerous: Pam has an atypical body that is outstandingly shot. She has a face that smolders. She has talent up the wazoo. And of course, she has Playmate written all over her. Pam just plain delivers, and although there are mixed opinions over her in the Playboy blogosphere, this blogger is sure about this one, as she's one of my top picks for Playmate of the Year 2013.
The Good: It's usually easiest to start with a great Playmate's body as her primary strength, but this is no easy model to describe. Miss Horton's physique is certainly unusual, and you'll take that away as soon as you see her. She's extremely slim, with small breasts and an aerodynamically proportioned body with sleek, sharp lines. Her silhouette is outstanding, and the numbers back it up: Pam has the lowest waist-hip ratio (0.629) since PMOY Ida Ljungqvist's perfect 0.6 years ago. Now that is something. You see that in the incredible photographs of Pam's full body, when she's there in all her nude glory. In those photos, her tapering waistline feeds into a spectacular pair of legs, her tall frame looking absolutely perfect. You could wish for bigger boobs on her, but it just wouldn't make sense, as they look very satisfactory when you take a closer look. It all combines to make for a really special woman - the intriguing face is just a microcosm of all this. While not accessible for all, those coy looks and squinty, sexual stares are enough to melt any heart. The impeccable posing is so consistent that I was just blown away by every move. This is a sweet, spunky, incredibly likeable model that is absolutely one of the best Playmates of the year.
The Bad: While Pam is without a doubt towards the top of my list, and is only inches from being my #1, her faults are enough for other fans to put her out of the PMOY race. As with Leola, Pam's face is not as accessible, looking at times tired and unfocused. I love this girl's face, but the flat hair and sullen expressions can turn off some. Pam's body type might also be a point of contention. Although it's without a doubt a very photogenic physique in its own right, it won't always suit all tastes. Still, I ask that the casual Playboy lover dig deeper into this girl, paying special attention to the nuances that make her so endearing.
Face: A-
My pick for Playmate of the Year might have come as a bit of a surprise to some, but it shouldn't. Throughout a deep and talented group of ladies, no one of them is as well-rounded and visually stunning as Miss Shelby Chesnes. Shelby is best described as an "every girl," whose familiar looks make her instantly endearing and fun to watch. But with a fierce and energetic posing style that cements her as undoubtedly the best talent of the year, and the top talent since Toth, what we have here is a shining star. It was a close-fought race up the charts, and it should be one of the closest PMOY votes in years, but there are simply more reasons to love Shelby than there are to love anyone else. Let me run through them with you...
The Good: Shelby is by no means the "ultimate PMOY candidate," but that's just because she's so darn normal. And that's a good thing; it's downright refreshing. Shelby is, at first glance, one of those vintage Playboy girls next door, which is something that was conspicuously missing from the 2012 class. But she doesn't remain normal for long - once you see her remove those shreds of clothing, you immediately see that what we have here is a real firecracker. The first thing you'll note is just how close to perfect Shelby's body is. It's outstandingly voluptuous, even more than you'd expect. She has the best breasts of the class, large, soft, and visibly smooth, as is her skin. The overall curvature of her body is simply outstanding. Her butt rivals even Leola's for the best of the year, looking plump and sexy. Her lower back curves in with textbook proportionality. There just isn't a flaw on this woman's body, from head-to-toe, which is surprising given that she joins Nikki in being the shortest model of the class (at 5' 3"). Even with her diminutive size, she looks long and lean in photos, which is a testament to just how suitable her pictorial is for her. Indeed, it's a great pictorial, with all of the ingredients that make a spectacular performance: varied costuming, excellent posing, and great treatment of the subject matter. In the end, Shelby is just a wholesome woman that has little difficulty in commanding a pictorial and running away with it. It's this well-roundedness that makes her my pick for Playmate of the Year 2013. Good luck!!
The Bad: You could have guessed that my bragging about Shelby being the best "girl next door" would be its own drawback here, and it's true. Shelby is an efficient, calculated, and overall very sexy model. But she also utterly lacks the pop and sizzle that Pamela or Amelia bring to the table. It's the only thing that keeps Shelby from entering Hall of Famer territory - she's just too damn normal. Don't confuse normal for boring here, because Shelby puts on the best performance she could possibly give. But we're still left searching for that A+ caliber girl here, and are left to look to next year.
#2
Pamela Horton, Miss October
Age 24 | 32C-22-35 | 5'7" | 110 lbs
Each year, we have what I like to call the "impact Playmate," who really puts a stamp on the class by exuding a uniqueness that defines the year. Last year, she was Amanda Cerny, before that it was Katie Vernola, and in '09 Kim Phillips was the standard bearer. This year, it's pretty clear-cut to me that Pamela Horton is that woman. I can't really say enough about this model in this short rundown, but suffice it to say that this girl is one of the most intriguing, special Playmates I've seen in years. The reasons are numerous: Pam has an atypical body that is outstandingly shot. She has a face that smolders. She has talent up the wazoo. And of course, she has Playmate written all over her. Pam just plain delivers, and although there are mixed opinions over her in the Playboy blogosphere, this blogger is sure about this one, as she's one of my top picks for Playmate of the Year 2013.The Good: It's usually easiest to start with a great Playmate's body as her primary strength, but this is no easy model to describe. Miss Horton's physique is certainly unusual, and you'll take that away as soon as you see her. She's extremely slim, with small breasts and an aerodynamically proportioned body with sleek, sharp lines. Her silhouette is outstanding, and the numbers back it up: Pam has the lowest waist-hip ratio (0.629) since PMOY Ida Ljungqvist's perfect 0.6 years ago. Now that is something. You see that in the incredible photographs of Pam's full body, when she's there in all her nude glory. In those photos, her tapering waistline feeds into a spectacular pair of legs, her tall frame looking absolutely perfect. You could wish for bigger boobs on her, but it just wouldn't make sense, as they look very satisfactory when you take a closer look. It all combines to make for a really special woman - the intriguing face is just a microcosm of all this. While not accessible for all, those coy looks and squinty, sexual stares are enough to melt any heart. The impeccable posing is so consistent that I was just blown away by every move. This is a sweet, spunky, incredibly likeable model that is absolutely one of the best Playmates of the year.
The Bad: While Pam is without a doubt towards the top of my list, and is only inches from being my #1, her faults are enough for other fans to put her out of the PMOY race. As with Leola, Pam's face is not as accessible, looking at times tired and unfocused. I love this girl's face, but the flat hair and sullen expressions can turn off some. Pam's body type might also be a point of contention. Although it's without a doubt a very photogenic physique in its own right, it won't always suit all tastes. Still, I ask that the casual Playboy lover dig deeper into this girl, paying special attention to the nuances that make her so endearing.
Face: A-
Body: A-
Talent: A
Pictorial: A
Centerfold: B+
Overall: A
#1
Shelby Chesnes, Miss July
Age 21 | 34C-25-34 | 5'3" | 100 lbs
My pick for Playmate of the Year might have come as a bit of a surprise to some, but it shouldn't. Throughout a deep and talented group of ladies, no one of them is as well-rounded and visually stunning as Miss Shelby Chesnes. Shelby is best described as an "every girl," whose familiar looks make her instantly endearing and fun to watch. But with a fierce and energetic posing style that cements her as undoubtedly the best talent of the year, and the top talent since Toth, what we have here is a shining star. It was a close-fought race up the charts, and it should be one of the closest PMOY votes in years, but there are simply more reasons to love Shelby than there are to love anyone else. Let me run through them with you...
The Good: Shelby is by no means the "ultimate PMOY candidate," but that's just because she's so darn normal. And that's a good thing; it's downright refreshing. Shelby is, at first glance, one of those vintage Playboy girls next door, which is something that was conspicuously missing from the 2012 class. But she doesn't remain normal for long - once you see her remove those shreds of clothing, you immediately see that what we have here is a real firecracker. The first thing you'll note is just how close to perfect Shelby's body is. It's outstandingly voluptuous, even more than you'd expect. She has the best breasts of the class, large, soft, and visibly smooth, as is her skin. The overall curvature of her body is simply outstanding. Her butt rivals even Leola's for the best of the year, looking plump and sexy. Her lower back curves in with textbook proportionality. There just isn't a flaw on this woman's body, from head-to-toe, which is surprising given that she joins Nikki in being the shortest model of the class (at 5' 3"). Even with her diminutive size, she looks long and lean in photos, which is a testament to just how suitable her pictorial is for her. Indeed, it's a great pictorial, with all of the ingredients that make a spectacular performance: varied costuming, excellent posing, and great treatment of the subject matter. In the end, Shelby is just a wholesome woman that has little difficulty in commanding a pictorial and running away with it. It's this well-roundedness that makes her my pick for Playmate of the Year 2013. Good luck!!
The Bad: You could have guessed that my bragging about Shelby being the best "girl next door" would be its own drawback here, and it's true. Shelby is an efficient, calculated, and overall very sexy model. But she also utterly lacks the pop and sizzle that Pamela or Amelia bring to the table. It's the only thing that keeps Shelby from entering Hall of Famer territory - she's just too damn normal. Don't confuse normal for boring here, because Shelby puts on the best performance she could possibly give. But we're still left searching for that A+ caliber girl here, and are left to look to next year.
Face: A-
Body: A
Talent: A
Pictorial: A+
Centerfold: A-
Overall: A
Playmate Superlatives
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| Best Breasts Shelby Chesnes |
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| Best Butt Leola Bell |
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| Best Face
Shelby Chesnes
|
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| Best Body Leola Bell |
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| Best Pictorial Shelby Chesnes |
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| Best Talent Pamela Horton |
