What a Doll!

Kristen, Miss May

While the 2013 Playmate Class has been bereft of really seminal talent, one cannot deny that it has been lacking some pretty good storylines. By good, I mean we would rather they not exist at all, but since they do, it's good fodder for a blog, per sé.

From the first third of the year, we haven't found anyone truly of note. Currently, the frontrunners seem to be March's Ashley Doris and April's Jaslyn Ome, both with contrasting styles but similarities in their diverse backgrounds. The real backstory, though, has been the photography. Playboy has been experimenting with newcomers for the past few months, and in doing so, has hit some turbulence from fans that they're still trying to navigate.

The magazine honchos graced us with Stephen Wayda's presence for Jaslyn's pictorial set, which harkened back to the good ol' days and gave us the best photos so far. So with Playboy tossing a bone to its fans, how would they continue the charge toward the new generation of photographers, while maintaining satisfaction?

Kristen's bottomless
video is sinfully fun

Enter Miss May, the aptly named Kristen Nicole. A vague, anonymous modeling pseudonym that fits the subject quite nicely, actually. The photographer assigned to Miss Nicole is Josh Ryan - certainly not a newbie, but not on the caliber of the Freytags or Waydas, either. While Kristen is not going to break much ground in terms of Playmate progress and put a real mark on this year, she'll contribute to the overall quality and continue some good momentum after a pair of great models.

While viewing Ryan's pictorial, you can't help but notice its sheer quality, but also wonder how much more depth could be exhibited by this model. Kristen is a fine girl, who's strikingly photogenic. She's a marvel in photographs, looking lean and mean, always with some sharp facial expressions focused around her smoky gaze. She's a pleasure to view, and when you take a look at her magazine pictorial (rather than her paltry Playboy Plus offering), you really notice the variety here. The settings, the costuming, and the production are definitely on par with the previous month.

But let's talk for a minute about the subject here. Kristen isn't a once-in-a-decade talent by any means. At first perusal, she appears to be a born swimsuit model, better off gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated instead. Even her frame and body type is totally suited to the runway, with great 5' 9" size and a very slim torso, sporting a great set of breasts. She's all at once a Barbie doll and a woman who tries to carve out some sort of identity, and does so with some fascinating shots.

Also, you'd be remiss if you don't acknowledge Kristen's innate style and penchant for sexual, potent posing. Need proof? Watch her Playmate video. With that tight red dress, she goes "bottomless," showing off some scandalous poses as she kneels down to the ground. She coyly exposes her quite large labia, looking tantalizing and showing off a side that Playmates of late have not dared to expose.

• Face: A-
  Kristen may be a quintessential "Hefmate" template at first glance, but beneath that is some real substance, and it starts with her gorgeous face. It won't leave a lasting impression, but she is just really great to take in, and has a million dollar smile that looks fantastic in stills. Her eyes belie a very youthful innocence that is really intriguing.
• Body: B+
  Kristen's body can have some harsh lines when photographed head-on, and can look a bit awkward due to her excessive slimness at times. Don't let that detract from her silhouette from the side, where her ample curves are positively marvelous. She is the "Barbie doll" in real-life form, looking long and lean, with sizable boobs (sometimes a little "too" perky) and nary a crease in sight. She's as sleek and flawless as they come, and looks a bit artificial as a result.
• Talent: A
  You only need to take one look at her video to see just how active and physical a poser Kristen is. Let's not get carried away - this isn't a Hall of Fame caliber skill level we're talking about. Nonetheless, she has a penchant for continuous movement, and looks great doing what she does. It also helps that Miss Nicole isn't bashful, letting her figure and sumptuous private parts speak for themselves.
• Pictorial: B+
  While the star performance lies in her video feature, Kristen doesn't truly "wow" through her picture set. We saw a magnificent entry with Jaslyn last month, and this one came up a bit short in its production value. Although the variety of settings and poses was definitely satisfactory, with some nice sunlit pictures in her magazine set, and an impeccable handful of well-posed beachfront shots, she doesn't get into a rhythm, and fails at showcasing her beauty.
• Centerfold: A-
  Kristen is a very sexual girl, but it doesn't come across in this photo one bit. It's wrong, but also oh so right, showing off the finest angle of this model. The side shot is drool worthy, and her look just says it all.
• Overall: A-
  Simply put, Kristen is a strong Playmate entry with an extremely camera-friendly appearance and a solid collection of material. She will probably fit into the chapters of Playboy lore reserved for middling blond Playmates, but she's more complex than that. She carries a more mature presence, and happens to be the most talented woman so far in the 2013 class. Although Ashley Doris put on a good show, it's Kristen that lets it all hang out in a way that is almost dizzying. With a stronger material set, she could have really grabbed the reins here. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Speaking of Playmates... the PMOY reveal is upon us! Playboy has sent this teaser pic with the May issue, and speculation says that it's probably Raquel Pomplun.

Given the landslide support for Shelby, this would be quite the disappointment!