Tuesday, December 11, 2012

2013 Playmate of the Year Candidates

2012 was yet another class of Playmates without a truly iconic standout. Our last A+ Playmate was more than two years ago. This year's group of girls also marked a strong turn from years past in terms of diversity -- culturally and ethnically, they covered all their bases, but we were left with a black and white, monochromatic feel to it all. However, it was still one of my highest rated classes in years, and has one of the highest average ratings in more than a decade! So, for the countdown...

#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


#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


#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


#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


#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+


#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+


#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-


#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-


#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

Best Breasts
Shelby Chesnes
Best Butt
Leola Bell
Best Face
Shelby Chesnes
Best Body
Leola Bell

Best Pictorial
Shelby Chesnes
Best Talent
Pamela Horton

Monday, November 26, 2012

A Bit of a Streich

Amanda, Miss December
Can you smell it in the air? The holidays are upon us, and that means several things. In the Playboy world, it means one big thing - the annual Playmate of the Year race has just begun. All twelve ladies are set and vying for the title, and there can only be one winner.

The Class of 2012 has been an up and down affair, but one with more positives than negatives. It's been an improvement, with some of the highest average PlayboyCritic scores in years. While the year has lacked the diversity and strong, bold picks we've seen in past years, the quality has been higher than normal. Although we went through the year without any A+ scores, it was still a strong showing.

Capping off the string of nice performances to close out the season, we have Miss December, Amanda Streich. Amanda is a relative unknown in the States, a very leggy Polish model with an archetypical model-like quality. More than any other entrant this year, Amanda represents the mainstream modeling industry with flair. And that's not necessarily a good thing.

Once I laid eyes on our latest Playmate, the thought that immediately came to mind was, "Wow, this woman is lovely! But do I want to see her naked?" Now, I mean no offense by this, but the fact is that Amanda is simply not born to pose in the nude. She's a consummate fashion model, with a graceful and flowing posing style that's quite photogenic. But she never truly belongs in Playboy.

What makes Amanda a promising woman is that she's just got the photogenic look. Her face is not particularly attractive - on the contrary, it's her glaring weakness - but she has an innate glow about her that hits the spot. While she's dealt a poor pictorial that never allows her the room to show off her abilities, this is a model who just doesn't below without her clothes on.

That's not to say Amanda doesn't look great naked. She absolutely does. Miss Streich's body is artistic and sexually raw, with completely natural lines and awesome height (5' 9" but looking even taller at times). I was left pining for some more full-body shots showing off her lower frame, but her perfectly sized breasts and tight pussy are really great to lay eyes on.

Still, there's just something not right about Amanda. She just never takes the step into Playmate territory. Granted, she's not the least deserving Playmate selection of the 2012 class (read: Lisa Seiffert), but it's what keeps her mediocre, and several shades less-than-amazing.
  • Face: B-
    Amanda can nail some photos here and there, but it's all in spite of her face, not because of it. It's angular, bony, and downright unattractive at times, with an anonymous look becoming immediately forgettable. Shallow, uninspired eyes never capture the camera, and her lips stay open far too much to look remotely serious.
  • Body: B+
    Amanda's physique won't win any awards, but that doesn't stop her from being well above-average in this department. Her graceful, long body type is quite stunning, with nicely full breasts for such a petite woman, and a popping butt as well. The great balance is very surprising, and lifts Amanda well above where she would otherwise fall. Although it doesn't totally erase her other weaknesses, bare-shouldered and slinky Miss Streich is awesomely photogenic.
  • Talent: B
    The biggest issue I have with Amanda is right here - this is a woman with talent. Just not the right kind of talent. She would fit in perfectly in a fashion advertisement, or an episode of America's Next Top Model. This isn't a fashion show. Playboy models need the sizzle, presence, and sex appeal without clothing that few women possess, and that's why it isn't only fashion models that are selected here. Amanda delivers some nice photos, but never goes far enough.
  • Pictorial: B
    It's the same issue as above - Amanda's out of her depth here. The editors dress her up in saucy black bustiers and thigh-high panty hose, but don't get the results out of this model that they would from a true nude talent, like Alana or even Amelia from earlier this year. While Amanda has a few hits with some magical photos here and there, she never really comes into her own.
  • Centerfold: B
    Amanda's centerfold is basically a microcosm of the model herself - certainly not too shabby to look at, but overall quite bland and ill conceived.
  • Overall: B
    In Amanda, we get a fizzling outro to an otherwise middling but solid 2012 Playmate class. While the prestige and pop of being a December Playmate has been tested in recent years, Playboy went another step, not even incorporating any Christmas themes into Amanda's pictorial, or any holiday charms into her style. Amanda's Polish model roots confine her, as she comes across as a stoic fashion model with little to offer the Playboy world. In this world, we're looking for sizzle and spark, and an ability to use a nude body like a tool. Amanda is the epitome of a passive poser, simply letting her really fine body go to complete waste. She's always a pretty and photogenic model, but she's ultimately destined for a lower-half showing for the PMOY race.

Thanks to all my fans for following my blog through yet another Playmate season. As usual, you should expect to see my year-end recap of all twelve Playmates coming very soon. May the sexiest woman win!!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Paying Homage

Britany, Miss November
As we've picked up some steam going into the home stretch for Playmates in 2012, we've got just two months to go, and a couple of tough acts to follow. Shelby Chesnes brought the heat back in April, serving up a delicious body with a clean, simple posing style. Last month, Pamela Horton also upped the ante by introducing a fresh face, sleek body, and a load of much-needed talent to the arena.

So as we reach November, we're looking for that elusive bit of consistency out of Playboy - something we're often missing. This year began with a series of missteps, and we're hoping that we close strong. What we get for Miss November, Britany Nola, is a mixed bag, with some hidden gems here and there.

The first thing you'll notice about the young Miss Nola is just how mature she looks. We're not talking "old" here, but after following the likes of the very youthful looking (and 3 years older) Pam Horton in comparison, Britany looks like she has some years on her belt.

Of course, most of this has to do with Britany's "retro" look. We know many have done this in the past, and every year has its share of Playmates who try this gimmick (the most prominent being PMOY Claire Sinclair), but Britany takes a page from the book without trying to copy it. She subtly introduces some elements from the past, with her appearance taking on a look of the 2000s while still maintaining some homages to the bygone era that she so appreciates and emulates.

It's readily apparent in her overall look. The short, frazzled hair (which I'll touch more on later) is reminiscent of blondes of the 70's. The heavily-lined, smoky eyes giving some depth to a face that doesn't really have much character in the first place. Everything about her posing style speaks of a respect for those ladies.
Britany's unpolished, frazzled look is a
staple of her posing repertoire
And most noticeably of all - the tuft of pubic hair. I can't even recall the last time a Playmate sported an un-manicured piece of hair between her legs. For Britany, it almost adds to the look of maturity. Lately, women have been looking younger and younger thanks to their shaven hair, and seeing it again (albeit in a neatly trimmed way) certainly adds to the look and persona. It's even sexier because of the fact that it's been re-made into a taboo look, and I applaud her for it.

Getting past the small gimmicks, Britany's body isn't the star of the show here. In fact, it's at times awkward looking, without the curvature and proportion that make up the modern Playmate. She is intensely tall and leggy, without the upper body to really balance out the sexiness of her lower half, and this leads to a strange look when photographed face-on.

In terms of talent, Britany is no slouch, but her photos are sadly stricken by the "sullen" look that so many Playmates can't shake. She comes in with an attitude and a piercing look that doesn't always suit her, and so she often takes it too far. Miss Nola is often looking frazzled and unkempt, jaw dropped and holding her face, as is her schtick. It works at times, but gets tiresome at times, looking more like a trick than a solid posing technique.
  • Face: B
    With a heavy dose of eyeliner and a scruffy head of blonde hair, Britany's face is certainly pretty and is at times her greatest asset. However, it's also one of her glaring weaknesses, in that it's just plain bland. While her cute smile and smoky eyes are certainly attractive, she is ultimately unmemorable and destined to fade into the background. The "deer in the headlights" look pervades, which doesn't help matters.
  • Body: B
    While Britany has her moments and commands the camera just fine, her body isn't the reason for it. Physically, she doesn't measure up to other contenders in the 2012 class -- her high waist-to-hip ratio and lack of substantial breasts or buttocks really detracts here. Although she's quite leggy and of an excellent height (5' 9"), she doesn't have the silhouette and lines of some of the better bodies we've seen so far. Plus points should be given for her sexy pubic hair, a rarity these days.
  • Talent: B+
    While Britany has her faults, she's no slouch when it comes to pure, active posing. Her moves are smart, using her face and body to her ultimate advantage. She can, however, overdo it. She can look downtrodden and sullen in her photographs, taking on an overly gritty look that isn't really endearing on such a model.
  • Pictorial: B+
    All in all, not a bad product for a model who isn't the most physically appealing of the bunch for '12. Her lack of assets is made up for with a sharp, sexy, and colorful pictorial with all the right costuming for the job. While Britany suffers from her overacting at times, it's still a pretty good product.
  • Centerfold: B
    Britany is at her best when she's cracking a smile and squinting those eyes. Her centerfold instead captures her prone (understating her good height) and emphasizing her jaw-dropped look, which is frankly overused with her.
  • Overall: B
    Kudos to the latest effort in trying to bring the "retro-look" back. Claire Sinclair did it with mixed results (but hey, she did win PMOY), and Britany Nola came closer to nailing it. Britany's interpretation was more of an homage than a carbon copy, and I appreciate her for that. She had the bright blond and short cut. She had the hair where it counts (and the right proportion, too). She had a starlet's look. But she was missing the voluptuous 1960's physique and overall luxurious look that made an old-school Playmate. While Britney probably isn't Playmate material in the first place, she's one of those middle-of-the-pack ladies who will fade as the PMOY race starts up. It was good knowing ya!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Full Frontal Spectacle


Pamela, Miss October
Through the 2012 season, we've seen the usual ups and downs that we see every year, but we're still looking for that "statement" Playmate who truly remains when all is said and done. This is a model that really puts a ribbon on the year, being the posterchild that truly personifies the Playmate class. Last year, it was Amanda Cerny. In 2010, Katie Vernola and PMOY Claire Sinclair left that mark.

It's already autumn now, but we still hadn't had that truly special girl yet. Shelby Chesnes and Alana Campos are great models, but they certainly aren't the memorable and impactful women that could carry on a real legacy. But, in October we find spunky Californian Pamela Horton being the featured Playmate. This woman has something to point out, that perhaps no one else so far in 2012 has done, and it's an exciting thing.

Before tackling that, let's go through the tangibles. Firstly, Pamela was featured on a fantastic magazine cover, where sadly Playmates are not featured as much as they used to be. The fully nude side-shot and a coy look really showed what Pam was all about here.

When you get to her pictorial, the first thing you immediately notice is Pamela's extremely slim body. At 5' 7", she has a moderately tall frame that looks that much taller due to her light weight. Her smooth, thin body might have been a departure from the archetype of the modern model, but you will also notice right away that she has one fantastic butt. For such a slim model, it's very unexpected. And because she's so thin (an unbelievable 22-inch waist), her waist-to-hip ratio is one of the smallest we've seen in more than four years (Ida Ljungqvist was a 0.6, while Pam is a 0.63).

Pamela's October issue cover
shows off her smooth body lines
What that boils down to is a very tapered waistline that cinches extra in photos because of the size of her hips. And add to that Pamela's comparatively small breasts, and you have a strangely unbalanced body style. She doesn't have the hourglass that is the norm nowadays, but in the end it's actually quite refreshing. This is a body you don't see in the magazine nowadays, and Miss Horton greatly benefits because of it.

Getting past the physique, we come back to Pam's great intangible qualities. This is a model who looks like nothing we've seen before, certainly not in the past couple of years. Her thin, flat hair sits atop a really intriguing face, with a very wide, intriguing smile and sexy, full lips. The look of her face is akin to Angelina Jolie at times, and is downright incomparable to any Playmate that we've seen recently.

It all comes together with a solid pictorial featuring a model who has the talent to back up her Playmate nomination. Initially, I was skeptical about this model coming in and looking raw and fresh, but she has proven herself. I don't know if there was a great Playboy transformation project here, but Pam is perfectly suited for the job, albiet flawed due to the imbalance in her body and some inconsistency issues.
  • Face: A-
    While not a classic beauty by any means, you can't compare Pamela to other models - it's apples to oranges in this category. Pam's face is full of passion and emotion, with a sullen, sexual look pervading her photos. Her mouth is particularly gorgeous, with a wide smile and exceptionally full lips looking like they positively pop out of the page. While she's not the bombshell with the voluminous hair and batting eyes, she's endearing in different ways.
  • Body: A-
    Having a very atypical frame, Pamela's very thin but strong body is juxtaposed with a great lower body. Her waist-hip-ratio is the lowest in years due to her spectacularly thin waistline. Her breasts are small in comparison, but fit her upper body well, and make for some fantastic full-frontal shots (although 360-degree looks suffer at times). Pamela looks particularly fantastic when she's shot at full-length, with some awesome body lines due to her unusual build.
  • Talent: A
    Pamela puts her body to as good a use as anyone could, and plays her strengths like a fine fiddle. She frames herself perfectly in many shots, squaring her sharp shoulders and delivering some dead-on looks and continuously physical poses. Although she isn't bombastic, she realizes that and unabashedly delivers some memorable shots.
  • Pictorial: A
    I can't fault Playboy on this one - after a couple of duds, they've shot Miss Horton wonderfully. It isn't a perfect pictorial, but the subject matter is portrayed nearly perfectly, with some awesome frontal photos that show off the slimness of the model quite well. They also do a good job of framing Pam's lower body, which is also one of the centerpieces here.
  • Centerfold: B+
    Pamela's centerfold is beautiful, but doesn't do a very good job of showcasing the intricacies of the model here. Pam is a great model who deserves more - I would have liked to see a more raw photo of her uncovered front profile (hips, shoulders, and all).
  • Overall: A
    In Pamela, we really get one of the most intriguing Playmate entries we've seen this year, perhaps in years. This is a complex, deep model with lots of talent, who gives a great performance. While she isn't picture perfect by any means - she could carry a more sparkling, glamorous style and have a more balanced body - she doesn't disappoint in terms of what she can do best. With an uncommonly natural body and an emotionally charged posing style, this is a woman who could make a charge for Playmate of the Year, as she bolts into my top two, right up there with Shelby. In the end, she carries the distinction of being far more memorable than her competition.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Belle of Brazil

Alana, Miss September
Things are taking a turn for the better in the Playmate world. Although this year hasn't been one of distinctive, really hard-hitting hall of fame talents, we've still had a couple of greats, the most recent being everygirl Shelby Chesnes. Her endearing beauty set her in a certain class, but what about the real bombshells of the year? I'm talking about an in-your-face poser with glamor, class, and most of all, a hard, chiseled figure.

Fortunately for us, we have Alana Campos as our Miss September. Alana is an unexpected entry for this month, as most Playboy fans fully expected Danielle Burt in this spot. But, due to extenuating circumstances, we have Alana instead. I initially wasn't too high on the potential with Miss Campos, but she makes it damned hard not to like her.

Initially, busty Brazilian beauty Alana looks exactly like the kind of woman we've been looking for this year. She has the South American look, and has a tiny hint of Teles twins in her - some of the greatest Brazilian imports to grace Playboy's pages. Her posing style is akin more to Francesca Frigo from a few years back, who had more of a passive style and suffered due to an overly conservative pictorial.

Once you take a look through Alana's spread, you fear that she got the Frigo treatment, in a lot of ways. You'll immediately notice that what we have here is a sexy, obvious choice for Playmate. Alana's prized asset is her entire body - it's immaculate and well-balanced. While it won't hit you in the face with some bombastic breasts or a killer Brazilian butt (sadly), she's slim and silky. While she could use a bit of tone to really put her over the top, her figure is tall and slick.

So Alana's body isn't lacking. But what about the rest? Unfortunately, we don't get a model who hits on all cylinders here, and it's mainly due to her tame and generic pictorial. While Playboy got a hit with Shelby two months ago due to the perfect fit with the type of model she was, Alana gets an underperformed, underedited spread. Alana is a potentially physical and talented model, but a passable set of photos with some nice costuming is just not enough to vault her over the top.

  • Face: B+
    Alana's face is beautiful and exotic, but prevents her from overcoming a weak pictorial solely through her physical assets. She has a lovely smile that spreads from cheek to cheek, and exotic, angular eyes that are truly a sight. However, her face can sometimes come off a bit edgy, preventing her from giving off the subtle looks of a more low-key Playmate.
  • Body: A-
    As I said before, Alana packs a punch when it comes to her figure. It's extremely well-proportioned, with slim lines and sexy skin. Her breasts are just the right size, albeit not being very noteworthy. Her behind is lacking due to high expectations, but is certainly nothing to sniff at. All in all, she's right up there with the other great physical specimens of 2012.
  • Talent: A-
    While Alana doesn't quite deliver on the level of Shelby, she's easily one of the best posers of the year. She's vastly underutilized for her style and skill, but still delivers an above average showing. With a penchant for the camera, you can really sense her enthusiasm, and she sizzles at times, knowing exactly how to tailor her body to the situation.
  • Pictorial: B
    Unfortunately, what really holds Alana back is her subpar pictorial set. There's nothing that really pops here, as she goes between generic costuming, never really hitting her stride. The photos straddle a line between colorful and dark, never really figuring things out. I would have rather seen her take a bold, sensual stand in either direction, but the editors never let her break free.
  • Centerfold: B
    Alana's centerfold is plain and average, showing off a standing frontal shot that doesn't differentiate itself much from the bland flavor of the rest of the pictorial.
  • Overall: A-
    I see Alana as a model who falls between a B+ and A- rating, but I give her the higher rating purely due to her exotic uniqueness. She's immediately likable from the moment you see her, and that's what really pushes her through in my eyes. Her body may not be as stunning as Leola's or Shelby's, but ranks among the best this year. Her pictorial is drab, but her glowing appearance brings her up to my top 3 this year. While she may not stay there for long, I'd expect Alana to easily stay in my top 5 for the PMOY race, as she represents an great upward trend for the year.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

PBC Hall of Fame - Jennifer Liano (1970)

Although perhaps not as famed as some of her 1960's Hall of Fame predecessors, the first entry to appear in the 70's was 22-year old Jennifer Liano from California. With all of the glamor and glitz of Playmate styles of the day, Jennifer was an oddball of the pack, a free spirit with a maturity and talent that made her one of the finest girl-next-door's in Playmate history.

Look back at Jennifer's oddly extensive Cyber Club pictorial, and you'll note one main thing - this woman looks like she belongs in the 90's. Jenn's look is way ahead of her time, with a darkness that overlays milky white skin that immediately draws you to her features. Her spectacular face isn't something you see every day - heck, we haven't seen anyone quite like her in all the decades  of Playboy's history.

Of course, some photos of her pictorial were immediately iconic. When Jennifer sported her pigtails and batted those long lashes around some of the most beautiful eyes a woman could have, it's almost ethereal. Even today, it's almost an experience in itself just looking back through this woman's work, which she did so effortlessly. Every move isn't too calculated, just natural. There's no hint of nerve anywhere, just a pure sense for the camera, giving Miss Liano one of the great pictorials of all-time.
  • Face: A+
    There aren't really enough words to really describe just how fascinating Jennifer's face is. Her features are almost otherworldly in their balance and beauty, and it all starts with her amazing eyes. While the era was a great time for beautiful faces (we've gotten farther away from that tenet), Jennifer was above all of them in many ways. She had a dark, independent look that was emotional and almost lonely in several aspects. It was a face that drew you in and didn't let go.
  • Body: A+
    Although the obvious issue of exposure is always there with past Playmates, you can't avoid it with this girl - Jennifer has a fantastic body. Even though all you see is her toplessness, the balance and curvature of her figure is way ahead of its time. Although it isn't strong and hard like bodies of today, the suppleness contributes to this model's sheer innocence.
  • Talent: A
    As I said before, the overall darkness and almost gothic natural look of Jennifer was really what created her awesome persona. All of this wouldn't be possible without her strong penchant for the camera, knowing how to get just the right shots. While she benefited from stellar photography, Jennifer never got in her own way, which is more than can be said for several of today's ladies.
  • Pictorial: A+
    Jennifer's pictorial boldly sits at the top of most of the finest work of the 1970's. Miss Liano took all of her physical gifts and ran with it, producing a varied and colorful set that oozed personality and set a low-key but intriguing tone throughout. It's on par with even some of the finest pictorials of our day. Although that comparison isn't always fair, this one can hold her own.
  • Centerfold: A
    They just don't make centerfolds like they used to, and Jennifer's is a borderline classic. Those deep, sensuous eyes take hold. A tight pink pair of pants cling closely to her sleek waistline, hinting at much more underneath. It's just a fantastic shot.
  • Overall: A+
    With Jennifer, we had a model who could truly do no wrong. Even among my hall of famers, that's not a sure thing, with missteps here and there. But with Jennifer, what we saw is what we got, with consistent posing coupled with physically one of the finest models in 1970's Playboy magazine. Indeed, they found an unbelievable talent in this one, and it all comes down to her near-perfect face and amazing persona. There has never been another Jennifer Liano.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

PBC Hall of Fame - Cynthia Myers (1968)

1968's Cynthia Myers was another Playmate who didn't just reflect the trend of the times, but set the trend of the times. She was and is still an instant classic, and with her passing last year, it seems even more prudent that I write this post as an homage, as well as a tribute to one of the most popular Playmates ever.

Cynthia was more than a woman - the 18 year old model was Miss December in a year where she followed a strong performance by November's Paige Young. Connie Kreski eventually won the '69 PMOY title, but no woman would leave her mark on the Playboy world quite as much as Cynthia did, becoming one of the most recognizable girls from the 1960's.

Although Cynthia's pictorial set is meager by today's standards, you have to get a good feel for Cynthia to really appreciate what she brought to the table. She wasn't particularly edgier compared to other ladies of her time. It's really the pure beauty of Miss Myers that stunned her fans back then - large, glowing eyes combined with a voluptuous frame and spectacular, massive breasts that really anchored her persona. She was always understated in her presence, but physically, she was over-the-top in ways that still defy imagination today.


  • Face: A+
    Undoubtedly still one of the most recognizable faces in Playboy's history. With all of the cookie cutter Playmates that littered the scene in the mid 2000's, it's nice to look back on a true original that is Cynthia. Those eyes have still never been matched.
  • Body: A+
    Even by today's standards (or perhaps especially by our standards), Cynthia's body is bombastic and over-the-top in many ways. She was perfectly tapered, with a great structure, but it always comes down to her breasts. Cynthia's huge, natural boobs are a relic of the past, sadly. Making overly large breasts look so good is a delicate balancing act, and no one did it quite like Cynthia.
  • Talent: A
    Although it's difficult to gauge her talents from her pictorial offering, it's still apparent that Cynthia is always comfortable in her own skin. Understated albeit her outstanding body, Cynthia's game is to keep it simple.
  • Pictorial: A-
    Great, original photos, with perhaps not the quantity that we're used to now. Cynthia's movie star looks and intimate zeal always shine through.
  • Centerfold: A+
    With a meager pictorial, it all came down to this. Cynthia's centerfold photo is arguably the greatest centerfold of all time. Just this photo could vault her into my hall of fame alone. With an exceptional overhead shot showing off every 'showable' curve on her interesting body, and a wonderful look at those glamorous and deep eyes, this centerfold is the textbook for how all centerfolds should be done. Big, bold, and sensual.
  • Overall: A+
    It's really obvious to have Cynthia in any 'top Playmates' list, and it's not just as a nod to nostalgia. The youthful Miss Myers, the first Playmate to be born in the 1950's, stunned the Playboy world and launched a career that would make her one of the most exposed women of he era. She was as big a superstar as a Playmate could get. Even when we look back now, we're dumbfounded by her gorgeous eyes or her amazingly balanced body. Even with the vast physical gifts, she remains a grounded, subtle young lady in all of her photos. And now, she will be missed. To Cynthia!

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

PBC Hall of Fame - Angela Dorian (1967)

As my fans know, all Playboy models who garner an A+ rating from me are on the right-hand side of this blog, featured in my Hall of Fame. To honor these ladies in retrospect, I'm doing a review of each one, using my usual 5-category letter rating system. Enjoy!


In the early second decade of the Playmate era, back when women took on a whole different look from the girls we see today, the times truly reflected the display of the female body in art and print. The early 1960's featured Playmates who were shorter, with girls of 5' 5" and shorter being the norm, with a less balanced body type than we saw throughout the 80's to the present. Women had a thicker upper body, with generally larger breasts and smaller hips.

One girl that truly rocked the blueprint for the 1960's archetype was Miss September 1967 and 1968 Playmate of the Year, Angela Dorian. Angela was a true shoo-in for being the year's overall winner, facing minimal competition from the likes of Lynn Winchell and Kim Farber. It was not a particularly strong era in Playboy history, with a sea of very pretty faces masking the fact that there wasn't very much talent to go around.

Angela broke the mold, in every sense of the word. First, figure that Angela's body was immaculate and unheard of at the time. Her bombastic proportions were truly unseen (36"-21"-35", a 0.6 waist-hip-ratio), especially among the body types of the time. Heck, a 0.6 ratio would put a fight into most of the ladies nowadays, with far wider hips and narrower waists in general.

It's hard to isolate Angela's sheer quality by just looking at her unusually toned and slim body - her overall look is mesmerizing. Angela's face is angular in all the right ways, being perfectly symmetrical and having a level of mystery that was lacking at the time. Her overall look and talent was undeniable, as she put on one of the best shows of the time.


  • Face: A+
    Angela's face was one of the most attractive of the entire 1960's, and that's saying something. The era was one of the best times for spectacular mugs, with Angela's uniqueness shining through. Her eyes are wonderfully interesting, with a perfectly shaped face and gorgeous, flowing hair.
  • Body: A
    Angela's body was unusually tight for the time - the typical 1960's body lacking a decent butt and such a shapely set of breasts. Angela brought a nuanced, curvaceous body with slim contours reminiscent of girls in the 70's and later. Her body was ahead of its time, which truly set her apart.
  • Talent: A+
    Angela's style is that of subtle talent. While never being a bombastic, over the top Playmate in following suit of the girls of her time, Angela also brought a level of sophistication and sensibility in her posing, taking control of every photo. She looks otherworldly in some of them, becoming an instant star.
  • Pictorial: A
    Miss Dorian's superb pictorial truly set her apart from other ladies in 1967, en route to her PMOY win. The pictorial had great variety in posing and costuming, and while it lacked the true punch of Playmates of the current day, it was far beyond the passivity of the old days.
  • Centerfold: A
    Although not the best centerfold of 1967 (that honor goes to Fran Gerard, who had one of the greatest pics in history), Angela's would have otherwise shone through all the way. The outstanding shot of her laying in a hammock was exemplary of the high-quality centerfolds of the time. The dark lighting and great silhouette are mind-blowing.
  • Overall: A+
    Angela did not redefine the Playmate of the 1960's - she came in at the tail end and truly broke the monotony. She was ahead of her time by years, and perhaps a full decade. Angela's strengths lie in all aspects of her as a model, from her body to her posing style, which was never aggressive, but always just right for her persona. Her innate beauty was unmatched, and along with Cynthia Myers the next year, she carried the torch for outstanding 60's Playmates. Even today, Angela's pictorial is a breath of fresh air, choosing to go for art and style rather than outright, brash nudity.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

A Step Back

Beth, Miss August 2012
As far as 2012 has gone so far, coming off a great Playmate performance in Shelby Chesnes, we've seen the only "up" in a series of "downs" this year. Shelby was an excellent addition to a class that was otherwise limping along, infusing a young, fresh dose of talent into a bunch of girls that seemed without direction.

In our August Playmate, we have a very familiar face in Beth Williams. Beth debuted a little less than three years ago as a Cyber Girl of the Week, and throughout the years, her pictorial output has been well above average. Unlike Shelby and many of the other ladies we've seen this year, Beth is no stranger to the Playboy world. She's posed off and on, earning the CGOM title, and always had a fierce fanbase who vigorously backed a Playmate appearance. This year, their prayers have finally been answered, but to what effect is the question.

Indeed, Beth has always been an attractive model to me. While I never really bought into the hype with her, I thought she was a more than passable girl. Her height is a real strength, and her beauty lies in her subtleties. I thought her lovely dark hair was always one of her best features, always looking a bit frazzled and accessible. While she was quite talented, she never really showed to be the true, picturesque beauty that is demanded of a girl in the Playmate position. But then again, far less-deserving models have had that title.

Beth's transformation for her Miss August stint is, well, disappointing to say the least. Although I never have had high hopes for her, I thought that a model as seasoned at her could have turned out something more spectacular. Instead, we were shown a pictorial with a bit of pop and fizz here and there, but something that was generally pretty flat. Beth is a great model when the shot is just right, but there are too many flaws and changes here to really appreciate her for her potential.

One thing that really irked me was Beth's transition from shoulder-length black/brown hair to having long, thick, dirty blonde hair. It's something that I believe does not suit her well, and takes away from some of the magic that came with her being a natural, girl-next-door model that was the centerpiece of her appeal. While this may be a small change, it does quite a bit to influence her persona as a model, and seems like a waste of a perfectly good opportunity.

When all else is factored in, Beth does as well as she can with an abysmally boring pictorial. Her "country cowgirl" theme has been tried and beaten to death, but not executed particularly well here. Her brunette look might have complemented the softer colors far better here, as she seems to just fade into the background anonymously. Her body is, as it was before, photogenic and beautifully natural, but it's certainly not enough to carry her through.
  • Face: B
    With any semblance of accessibility Beth had as a brunette, she severely lost quite a bit in her transformation. Although she's the same decently talented model she was before, the focus now shifts to her face itself, while the hair was a distraction before. Miss Williams' face is not particularly photogenic in itself,  only at times looking balanced and entirely wholesome. Her squinty, forgettable eyes don't help, either.
  • Body: B+
    Quite simply, Beth's best attributes stem from her very slim and tall body. Although she doesn't have the volume and balance that Shelby had, Beth is just-right, having a great set of natural breasts and a sleek, clean look. Although it won't capture your attention with its curvature and lines, it looks great on camera.
  • Talent: B
    Beth is an otherwise highly talented model with a great vision for the camera, and should be with her extensive experience. However, she definitely doesn't hit it out of the park when it's counted most, as a Playmate. She never gets into the groove of things, always looking uniformly uninteresting in her photos, and only actively posing at times. For a woman with such demonstrated talents in moving her body, she oddly comes out cold.
  • Pictorial: C+
    While Beth's physical changes and lack of a convincing performance didn't help her case much, her drab pictorial certainly hurt it. The theme is ill-conceived, and lacks any semblance of trying to use the model's looks to the producers' advantage. Blame Playboy, and the photographers, but this isn't what a girl of Beth's hidden talent deserves.
  • Centerfold: B
    While it's a good shot choice overall, it fits into the boring mold of the rest of the pictorial, just looking like another blown-up photo. Certainly not her best picture.
  • Overall: B
    Beth Williams has done plenty for Playboy over the past few years, and I'm sure her numerous fans would disagree with me here, but this is not what we were looking for. When Playboy anointed Beth as a Playmate, this wasn't the way to go about it. She is a wonderful model, and had all the physical tools to put on a stellar performance. However, Beth is a finicky model, and with such subtlety and depth comes a responsibility for the editors to put her in the right environment. As was Shelby, Beth isn't a 'bombshell' who could just strut out and look like a sexual goddess - she needs to be tailored to look that way, through great production value, as we saw with Leola and Shelby this year. With this girl, they just never put in the effort to get it right, and it hurt the model most of all.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Multiple Threat

Shelby, Miss July
As I've been saying month in and month out, we're starting to see a re-tread of the 2011 class in this year's crop of Playmates. We've seen some rather mediocre performances up until now, with six Playmates with no one really taking a stand as "the one to beat." While Leola Bell cemented herself as the frontrunner thus far with a stunning pictorial coupled with a voluptuous physique, it was still anyone's game.

But, there's always a turning point, and I predicted last month that we'd start to see the real contenders rise up as the year came to its second leg. First up was Miss July, the relatively unknown Shelby Chesnes. The bubbly 20-year old model was immediately flung onto our radar with the announcement that she would be a Playmate. The relative newcomer to the Playboy scene had a few sparing modeling shots online, which were enticing to say the very least. It seemed like we were getting a true "crossover" model, one with looks that were actually accessible, and made the leap from girl-next-door to bombshell Playmate seamlessly.

So, now that Shelby's shed those modeling clothes and gone nude, how does she stack up? Let's just say that the other ladies this year should be afraid. Very afraid.

Shelby represents what we've been missing from the Playmate of the Month position since Amanda Cerny brought it last year - the crossover. She is unbelievably wholesome, from first photo to last, but offers a multidimensional character that shines in every photo. All at once, she is charming and flirty, while turning on the heat and delivering a killer pose with her sharp but mystifyingly unassuming frame.

Shelby may be short and slim, but she's
a lengthy, curvy woman in her set. Very photogenic.
Let's start with the look. Shelby has it all together, exuding a precise confidence in all of her poses. She blends a sensuality with a friendly demeanor just by flashing a quick smile or flexing her cute cheekbones. Although she may not have the most angelic and memorable face, hers is one that is tantalizingly unidentifiable. You can't quite put your finger on her, and that's what makes her exciting - from photo to photo, you feel like you are looking at many different models. Miss Chesnes can be cute and understated in one instance, and then let her hair flow with reckless abandon in the next.

Shelby's posing talent stacks up with some of the best, and again it's due to her intensity and confidence. Her pictorial has her taking turns in the full gamut of lingerie, with slinky little things to kinky babydolls and barely-there thongs. She wears them all flawlessly, due to her slick, well-tuned body. While she might have to go toe-to-toe with Leola for best body for 2012 so far, Shelby has a vastly different body style than anyone we've seen for a while. With a short 5' 3" frame, she certainly doesn't look it. Shelby is anything but short on camera, with an excellent body proportion and a sinewy frame that makes her legs look long and lean. Shelby is unexpectedly curvaceous, with bubbly butt that pops when she wants it to, and a large, sexy set of breasts. If this isn't the complete package, it's tough to know who is.
  • Face: A-
    Shelby's face might not be an all-star standout quality of hers, and might be what keeps her from being hall of fame material, but it's still an outstanding attribute. She may look vastly different between different scenes, and it's all due to how she can morph from one character to another. Her face really complements her posing style, with understated features allowing her to ride the border between bombshell sex goddess and your everyday girl.
  • Body: A
    While it wasn't apparent at first how well built Shelby is, she's undeniably a thoroughbred in every possible way. A 5' 3" frame can't get in the way of her sleek, slim look, with every inch contributing to a perceived height much taller than she actually is. Add on top of that a gorgeous set of breasts and a perfectly rounded butt, and you have a body that is exemplary of the archetypical Playmate of the 2010's - exceedingly slim, but well-endowed and balanced.
  • Talent: A
    While it's easy to focus on Shelby's all around greatness, it might be easy to gloss over just how skilled a poser this model is. She exudes great professionalism, feeling her way through the pictorial with the utmost care. Although she has issues with facial expressions at times, she takes on a multitude of looks, and is a chameleon when it comes to varying her style and adapting to her outfits.
  • Pictorial: A+
    The dynamic, engrossing quality of Shelby's pictorial is sadly something that is sorely missed in today's Playmates. Shelby is a bit unassuming as a model, and that makes her perfectly suited for a number of looks. She doesn't wear just one hat, and is a master of several roles, which makes her pictorial a rollercoaster of a ride. She switches between outfits seamlessly, and revels in her nudity, squeezing everything out of every photo. Shelby has probably my favorite pictorial since Katie Vernola's perfect outing two years ago.
  • Centerfold: A-
    Although not in a prime position to showcase her great figure, and a bit hunched over, Shelby's centerfold is a great shot. Her legs look long and lean, again albeit her height, and her face looks gorgeous.
  • Overall: A
    Shelby is without a doubt the finest talent in a Playmate since Tiffany Toth in 2011. She offers a complete performance, going above and beyond to show off all of her posing skills, and every single aspect of a phenomenal body. With her diminutive size, she doesn't back down, and displays her toned build like a true expert. After showing off a peculiar ability to take on numerous looks and prove to be a true example of what a Playboy model should be in this day and age, Shelby should easily rank at the top of this year's Playmate class. She is the immediate frontrunner for Playmate of the Year 2013, and should be the one to beat from here on in.