2013 Playmate Recap

For those of you who follow my blog, obviously you noticed a steep drop-off of Playmate reviews since I featured Briyana Noelle here last year. Indeed, as busy as it has been for me outside this blog, there's also been a dearth of Playmate talent to write about. Which is why I put this thing on hold for so long, perhaps wondering if I'd return again.

A certain Miss June changed that recently, so I'd like to catch up on all the things I've missed. I'm not going to do all the ladies I passed over much justice with full posts, but what I will do is give some short reviews. For this post, I'd like to catch up on the ladies from the 2013 class that I did not review, give my ranking for the group, and recap the PMOY selection. Here we go.

Carly Lauren, October 2013

With one of the most well-balanced and long yet buxom bodies of the year, Carly is a gem that needs a second look to truly appreciate. Her talent is world-class in her pictorials, as she goes above and beyond the sets given to her by delivering dynamic and active posing. The combination of body and talent would be a real slam dunk if not for some strange and off-kilter pictorials that don’t really do her much justice.

• Face: B
  Carly's bleached blond waves and squinty blue eyes do little for me. She doesn't have a very memorable look and lacks a bit of character in her expressions.
• Body: A
  Carly gives Alyssa a run for her money when it comes to body of the year in the 2013 class. She has a tight, tall figure with legs for miles, and looks perfect in anything the producers throw her in.
• Talent: A+
  My one and only A+ category rating of 2013 goes here to Carly. I must say that she really took me aback with her posing skill, which ranks among the very best I've seen. She has a keen understanding of her own assets, and works her gorgeous body for the camera with much ease.
• Pictorial: B+
  Most of the shining moments in Josh Ryan's shooting of Carly lies in when she's allowed to just flow. At other times, the pictorials seem overproduced and lacking in any real flavor. They completely missed giving this great model any real personality when they had the chance.
• Centerfold: B
  A passive pose doesn't suit Miss Lauren very well here, and not in her best pictorial setting either.
• Overall: A-
  Carly is one who really surprised me this year, as I wrote her off a bit before I started to look deeper. Her weakness is being less-than-memorable, and it's exasperated by a rather boring pictorial set that only sporadically takes advantage of such a hot body. But, for physique and sheer talent alone, Carly ranks towards the top of the 2013 Playmate class for me.

Gemma Lee Farrell, November 2013

With a popping booty and an exotic face, Gemma is one of the odd birds out of the Playmate group with her unique looks. She brings the energy with her posing, and although she’s no Carly, she tows the rope as one of the better talents in the class. Still, a bleached, overly processed, and color-heavy pictorial set makes her look unnecessarily phony at times.

• Face: B
  Gemma's unusual face becomes a bit of a centerpiece of her photos, but that's not always a good thing. Slanted and sometimes engaging eyes are her most interesting feature, but often get lost in the photograph because of their size. She comes off as a bit too artificial here.
• Body: A-
  Although Gemma's not short (a respectable 5'8") she looks compact in her photos due to her curviness. Although she seems a bit unbalanced with some short-ish legs, she hits all the right points with a great rack.
• Talent: A-
  Gemma gets all the high marks for being an above-average poser, playing well to the camera and looking engaged and focused. She never gets too wild, which you kind of miss with a lady like this.
• Pictorial: B-
  Again, with Gemma's lack of effort to really get riled up and sexy, combined with a series of pictorials looking heavily airbrushed and false, we never really get a good view of just who Gemma is. She's as perplexing as she is on first sight, which is a sad nod to Eisenmann's disjoined style.
• Centerfold: B
  Not overly flattering on her curves. Not a great shot selection.
• Overall: B+
  The main takeaway from studying Gemma's work is that we'll never really know who this model is. Playboy has taken a safe, timid route with her, coloring and saturating a pictorial that seems hastily edited and completely out of touch. Miss Farrell has the physical assets to make a splash, but won't get far with a poorly matched performance like this. I only wish she was let out of her cage a bit.

Kennedy Summers, December 2013

A strangely uncomfortable Playmate to look at, Kennedy is a plastic blonde with an elongated face and bubbly fake breasts. She doesn’t have a shred of that Playmate swagger or an ounce of charm. Given her nomination as Playmate of the Year, you’d expect someone with a few more redeeming qualities. Sadly, Kennedy was at the bottom of the Playmate barrel for me in 2013.

• Face: B-
  With one of the stranger, more angular faces in the recent past, Kennedy's face is certainly what drags her down in my rankings. A Playmate's got to look pretty, period.
• Body: B
  Kennedy looks like a model that comes straight out of a manufacturing plant. Pale, artificially inflated, doll-like. She looks good in numbers, but when you lay eyes on her, you're left wanting something more tangible.
• Talent: B
  Miss Summers is a passable model, with some staring, some leering, and some occasional grinning. She never steps foot beyond that mark, and that makes her just average.
• Pictorial: B-
  An abysmal set of pictorials has Kennedy overly made-up, looking lost and without purpose or direction. A complete lack of passion doesn't help the fact that she is just not an adept or attractive model.
• Centerfold: A
  Ah-ha, the one saving grace! Kennedy delivers a sizzling full-frontal shot that reminds me of the good old days of Playmate centerfolds. You almost get a palpable sense of her body in this one. Easily the best photo of her whole repertoire.
• Overall: B-
  In case you can't predict it already, I'm a bit disappointed with the PMOY selection this year. Kennedy is just a plain bad model that sets the tone for a rough start to 2014. There are numerous more deserving ladies, but what we got here is a tired, boring, Barbie doll model who stretches the concept of Hef-mate to undeserved levels.

Jaslyn Ome, Miss April 2013

2013 Playmate Class Ranking

12. Karina Marie (C+)

11. Kennedy Summers (B-)

10. Shawn Dillon (B)

9. Briyana Noelle (B+)

8. Gemma Lee Farrell (B+)

7. Audrey Allen (B+)

6. Alyssa Arce (B+)

5. Val Keil (A-)

4. Kristen Nicole (A-)

3. Ashley Doris (A-)

2. Carly Lauren (A-)

1. Jaslyn Ome (A-)

Superlatives

Best Breasts... Alyssa

Best Butt... Val

Best Body... Alyssa

Best Face... Audrey

Best Pictorial... Jaslyn

Best Talent... Carly

Overall, I think 2013 would go down as a very solid class top-to-bottom. I have B+ ratings all the way down to 9th place, which shows that I really thought we have a deep class. Still, no one achieved a A or higher for the entire year, the first year that's happened since 1989 in my rankings (Giana Amore was my Playmate pick that year). 

This year, Jaslyn was my top pick, as I felt she had the best balance of talent, looks, and pictures to set herself apart. It was one of the tougher selections in years, since I felt like the ladies were tightly bunched in the class. I think Carly made a great push towards the end, but Miss Ome had my heart.

Playmate of the Year 2014: Reaction

Kennedy Summers is the 2014 Playmate of the Year. I had her ranked at #11 on my list, my lowest ranking for a PMOY winner since 1993's Vickie (Anna Nicole) Smith, who I had at #12 that year.

As you might tell from my review above, I didn't have Kennedy in the highest regard. From what I can see on the internet, neither did many Playboy fans. There were ten other women who I'd have rather seen win the award over Kennedy. I have to ask the question that so many others are asking: who is Playboy listening to? What fans are picking these winners? How could a woman like Kennedy win over great talents like Carly or amazing physiques like Alyssa?

I'll just leave it at that. I always keep looking forward to the next year, but this selection makes me lose all hope. I have great expectations for 2014! More reviews coming soon!

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

2012 Playmate of the Year Candidates

As I've said all year, it's been one of ups and downs, of twists and turns. The 2011 Playmate class has been anything but perfect, but along the way we've seen some flashes of true brilliance that are worth noting. We didn't see any Hall of Fame ladies this year, but that shouldn't stop us from seeing the special girls that went through the magazine's pages. So without further ado, my year-end rankings:

#12

Sasha Bonilova, Miss May

Age 24 | 36DD-27-36 | 5'7" | 127 lbs

Sasha is a model whose primary selling point - large breasts - pretty much landed her the Playmate role. Although she severely lacked any semblance of talent that could have been the reason she got nominated, she does have fans in those who admire her unique body type.

The Good: Sasha's uniquely large breasts are a sign that there is a market for them, and there are admirers out there. Behind those huge cans, though, there is a semblance of a pretty attractive frame. Also, her face is certainly not a major detriment, but how she uses it is another story.

The Bad: As I've said, there is an audience out there for Sasha's body, which means it's really up to taste. However, her utter lack of talent and her disinterested gaze make for a pitiful pictorial. Sasha had not a shred of talent, and it shows miserably in every photo. How she came to be a Playmate is beyond me, but I'm quite sure it has something to do with her chest.

Face: B

Body: B-

Talent: C+

Pictorial: B-

Centerfold: C+

Overall: C+

#11

Ashley Mattingly, Miss March

Age 25 | 32C-24-32 | 5'7" | 127 lbs

Ashley came on early in the year with a mixed set of assets that really didn't garner her much support from fans. Her defining characteristic, her solid, almost masculine body, was seen as a detracting quality, and her overall posing style didn't necessarily resonate well. Although she had a bit of potential here and there, she ultimately will fade to the bottom of the pack.
The Good: Ashley's physique is both Ashley's biggest strength and one of her major flaws. Her finely toned arms and tight, well-formed abs are easily the strongest and most powerful of hte 2011 class. It's well documented in her pictorial, with some workout scenes leading to a moist locker room pose-off. While her photos are well-intentioned, they can't overcome the model underneath.
The Bad: Ashley's masculine physique is also her biggest downside. She has a tough exterior that's difficult to photograph with much subtlety, and so it takes away from the layers and depth that could otherwise allow for a very pretty girl to shine through. Instead, Ashley comes on too strong, without ever really satisfying in her decent pictorial. She falls flat due to these unique characteristics.

Face: C

Body: B

Talent: B+

Pictorial: B

Centerfold: B

Overall: B-

#10

Anna Sophia Berglund, Miss January

Age 25 | 34D-25-36 | 5'6" | 128 lbs

2011 got started with a bubbly blonde, voluptuous model who worked the Playmate mold to the max. She was a prototypical Hefmate, with all the characteristics - a reticent posing style, big round breasts, and those curly blond locks. While her angelic face and curvy body were worth a look, she was arguably the blandest of all the Playmates in the class.
The Good: Possibly the most flattering thing you can say about Anna is that she is a Jack of all trades, but a master of none. And when I say none, I mean it. Her pretty face is almost postcard-worthy, allowing her to take on a youthful, energetic look. That's where she leaves it, but it allows her to take on an amazingly photogenic stance when she passively poses in photos. Her body is also hit or miss, but is quite sexy in angles that extend her body and show off her length.
The Bad: Miss Berglund will never win awards for uniqueness or memorability. There were some pathetic overall performances in 2011, but none could have fallen as flat for such a nice girl as Anna's did. Miss Berglund is a mildly wasted talent, with otherwise lovely features giving way to an uninspiring performance with no talent in sight. Anna is out of her element in the Playmate world, and possibly would have been better suited as a Cyber Girl.

Face: B-

Body: B

Talent: B-

Pictorial: C+

Centerfold: C

Overall: B-

#9

Mei-Ling Lam, Miss June

Age 27 | 32B-24-34 | 5'6" | 109 lbs

The first Asian Playmate since 2008's Grace Kim, Mei-Ling came in with some hope, but left a flat mess. One of the most petite body types of the class, she delivered a boring performance that could even contend with the others so far in my rankings. When it comes down to it, Miss Lam brought in one of the more forgettable performances of 2011.
The Good: While Mei-Ling's pictorial is a mixed bag of boring and slightly interesting, Mei-Ling is generally a pretty good looking girl. She looks decently radiant in a number of her photos where her own posing doesn't get in the way, and when her slinky body is photographed in the bedroom, it takes on a whole different look. Mei-Ling is a difficult girl to picture correctly, but when it's done right, you can only wonder what could have been.
The Bad: There is just too much wrong with Miss Lam's performance, where it can only hold her back from reaching her potential. Her petite body is photographed very poorly for much of the time, taking angles that show off her lack of a true focal point that would make her a decent nude. This girl simply wasn't made to pose in the nude, as she just seems more comfortable and better suited to being a clothing model or a generic fashion model.

Face: B

Body: B

Talent: B

Pictorial: B-

Centerfold: B+

Overall: B-

#8

Iryna Ivanova, Miss August

Age 25 | 32DD-25-35 | 5'4" | 105 lbs

This Eastern European bombshell debuted with little fanfare, being known only to the international edition of the magazine. With a long lineage of Ukrainian beauties appearing as Playmate in the past, Iryna had a lot to live up to. Unfortunately, she missed the mark, mostly due to the aesthetic appeal of the model rather than the execution.
The Good: Iryna's pictorial is the one high point of her Playmate reign. Although she is lacking in a variety of areas, her photos are bright and colorful, with summer hues that really come across beautifully. She is captured in some fun, sexy poses with some excellent costuming, and is overall shot quite well. The shift into a bedroom setting is seamless and a natural fit for Iryna, whose face is photogenic enough to warrant a second glance. This is a model who shows promise, as evidenced by her spread as well as her fine centerfold, one of 2011's finest.
The Bad: Iryna is hampered mainly by herself, as her editors do a fine job of trying to capture her beauty. Instead, she exhibits no enthusiasm, being a glum focal point in an otherwise high-spirited and lovely pictorial. She rarely cracks a smile, and instead focuses with an awkwardly squinty stare. Physically, Iryna is voluptuous in her short stature, and is best shot prone, although she is often shot head-on. This makes her look a bit sloppy here and there, and takes away from an otherwise attractive model.

Face: A-

Body: B

Talent: B-

Pictorial: B+

Centerfold: A-

Overall: B

#7

Kylie Johnson, Miss February

Age 21 | 32D-25-35 | 5'4" | 107 lbs

This is the turning point of my ranking, where we go from "so-so" performances to "good" ones. Enter Kylie, whose exotic Afro-German looks and above average pictorial have vaulted her to a status where she has gathered a major fan following. Miss Johnson's appeal goes deep, and is due to her uniqueness in the Class of '11. Indeed, she may be a major force as voting gets underway.
The Good: Kylie is a girl whose look just screams "agressive," and she needs to be shot that way. Her body is buxom and marvelous, with supple, large breasts and sharp shoulders making up a strong and sexy frame. She obviously has one of the best physiques of the 2011 group, along with her amazing caramel skin, which is not too dark due to her mixed heritage. Her face is both an upside and downside, but can be looked at as an asset due to its innate uniqueness with its angular characteristics.
The Bad: Kylie's positives stop at the physical level, where she's got plenty of pull. When you look at her photos, though, it's a different story. Kylie is an uninspired poser, who never really gets into her comfort zone. Her pictorial is incredibly safe (a sad trend in 2011), and that really hurts the model, since Miss Johnson is innately a physical posing model. She needs more freedom to move and display her physical assets, but instead is restricted in a hot tub or in a cabin, looking passive and bored. She is a mediocre poser at best, and while she is a fine choice for Playmate, it shouldn't garner her attention for PMOY honors.

Face: B-

Body: A-

Talent: B

Pictorial: B

Centerfold: B+

Overall: B

#6

Jaclyn Swedberg, Miss April

Age 21 | 34D-25-35 | 5'5" | 106 lbs

April gave us someone who has one of the best shots at the fan vote for PMOY 2012, Jaclyn. As the year wore on, Miss Swedberg became a huge fan favorite, as she places at or near the top of most Playmate straw polls. The reason for that is plain and simple: Jaclyn is beautiful. There are no two ways about it, the former Playboy TV star has catapulted herself into the PMOY conversation with some unmistakably good looks and a solid set of skills.
The Good: To put it simply, the subject matter is the real appeal here. Jaclyn is simply the "prettiest" of all the Playmates in the 2011 class, perhaps by a long shot. She has a worldly, calm, and gorgeous face, with a set of penetrating eyes that are the deepest and most amazing of the lot. Physically, she isn't curvy and doesn't have the volume that other ladies can throw around, but she's certainly got some spunk to her that makes her pop in photos. To top it off, Jaclyn is a talent. Although she doesn't exhibit any out of the ordinary skill, she has a knack for the camera, and strikes poses that complement her style wonderfully.
The Bad: What could drop such an amazing girl so far down my list, you say? It's the value that I put on a good performance, and Jaclyn, sadly, didn't quite deliver as far as material goes. Although she might put on a fine performance in a PMOY spread, her look just didn't translate well to the pages. Her "badass" persona is a horribly bad fit - this girl is destined for the bedsheets, with some pajamas and a good book, stripping down to a fluttery set of lingerie. Instead, Playboy puts her on a motorbike, and out of her element. I wouldn't mind if she took the title, just to redeem herself here.

Face: A

Body: A-

Talent: A-

Pictorial: B

Centerfold: B

Overall: B+

#5

Jessa Hinton, Miss July

Age 27 | 34D-25-34 | 5'8" | 116 lbs

My top five starts off with a Playmate who was probably my biggest surprise of the 2011 class. Jessa Hinton had her reign as Cyber Girl, and I initially thought her selection as Playmate was rather questionable. Very fortunately, she proved me wrong. Jessa is a bit of an enigma - a fan favorite to many, but also the opposite to some. In stark contrast to every other girl of the year, Jessa's posing style was far more in-your-face and physical, with a tantalizingly raw and powerful look. She therefore makes a spot in my top 5 by introducing an excitement that was otherwise lacking in the class before her appearance.
The Good: It's quite simply Jessa's ample talent at delivering a fresh, exciting, and exhilarating photo that makes her a superb Playmate. While she won't wow you with any particular aspect of her physique, and isn't special by any stretch, she's a solid, and downright sizzling contender. Her squinty, smoky eyes are unlike anything else you'll see in 2011, and her busty body complements her persona so well. This girl has personality, and shows plenty of it in her spread. Utilizing a daring stare and combining it with some excellent contorting posing, we might have a strong contender here.
The Bad: For all the great things that Jessa offers to add a jolt to the Playmate class, there are several downsides. Most notably, it's physical here. Jessa doesn't have the pure beauty and subtle, refined qualities that other ladies like Jaclyn, Tiffany, or Amanda have to offer. There are only sharp curves, balloonish breasts, and some awkward angles to consider. Her face may be a turnoff to many, and is a testament to the fact that Jessa is what you make of her. If you take her as a full package, she is excellent. But if you take her apart, she just doesn't deliver in the way other ladies did in 2011.

Face: B+

Body: B+

Talent: A-

Pictorial: B+

Centerfold: B+

Overall: B+

#4

Rainy Day Jordan, Miss December

Age 20 | 34C-24-37 | 5'9" | 125 lbs

The last girl of 2011 was also one of the best, and for a few select reasons. Although she didn't garner rave reviews from the Playboy fan base, I thought she was worth shouting about. Rainy Day is certainly not an all-around Playmate - that title would be much better suited to the ladies in my top 3. However, what she excels at isn't really what she can do, but what she is: a great physical specimen, and probably the best of the year. With a nearly perfect body, she's got an innate advantage that can overcome any shortcomings, to an extent.
The Good: The headliner for Rainy Day is definitely her great body. Although it isn't immediately apparent how statuesque she is, one might need to dig a bit deeper to understand. First, Rainy is exceptionally proportioned, with a very tall frame (the tallest of the year at 5'9") combined with an extremely low waist-to-hip ratio. Put it all together, and you have a girl with some fine curves who can also stand tall and use length to her advantage. She can pull off the full gamut of poses, and combined with a great sense for the camera, she has the talent to back up her excellent frame and put it to good use. Rainy Day is a great combination of once-in-a-year physique and awesome natural ability, and that's what brings her to this point on my list.
The Bad: Although she may possess these natural gifts, Rainy lacks in a variety of key areas. First and foremost is her face - it's almost hidden most of the time, and is never photographed very well. In hard light, she looks awkward with her pouty lips and strange smile. Although it's never unattractive, it's a downside on such an otherwise physically superior woman. If you go a step deeper, you also see some pitiful material. Rainy wasn't given much to work with, and put out a miserable spread that she only helped with her presence. Still, I think these things really turned many fans off to her, and drew away from the star quality that could otherwise have made for an awesome model. Rainy may be the acquired taste of the year, and an often unacquired one at that.

Face: B

Body: A+

Talent: A

Pictorial: B

Centerfold: B+

Overall: A-

#3

Ciara Price, Miss November

Age 21 | 32C-25-35 | 5'4" | 118 lbs

As I get into my top three ladies of the year, we really see where the elite is, when it comes to being in the Playmate of the Year conversation. While Jaclyn and Kylie form a powerful fanbase, it's these three that I definitely think deserve the nod, no matter who it may be. First off, there's Ciara, who is just flat-out the most beautiful model of the year. When taking nothing else in consideration, Miss Price would easily be the most perfect Playmate - a wildly photogenic blonde with everything going for her looks-wise. Although she's got her shortcomings, Ciara's got the goods to put her up on my list.
The Good: It's pure and simple - this girl looks amazing. While her body may not be #1 in 2011, it's her amazing face that cuts through the mold. When she's shooting a sparkling, toothy grin at the camera, you can't help but wonder how such a pretty girl is willing to take it all off for the camera. As I mentioned before in my review, Ciara easily has the best face in two or three years, going back to the lovely Laura Croft in 2008. And as I mentioned before, her body is no slouch, either. Her petiteness and lack of any bombshell volume is actually a good thing, as it creates a sort of understated look that fits Ciara's personality perfectly. What comes across ultimately is an innate shyness, but in moderation, that creates an allure that's hard to pinpoint. Whatever it is, looks alone could put Ciara in the driver's seat for a PMOY appearance, even with her other shortcomings.
The Bad: While it may not be all her fault, and we all know how Playboy's editors don't always hit their stride, Ciara is perhaps the magazine's biggest wasted opportunity of the year. While other girls got their fair shake to an extent, Ciara is a stunning model who didn't get the full treatment. Her pictorial is the pinnacle of prudeness, making her look moderately uncomfortable with her role. She never goes a step farther than topless nudity, which is quite disappointing. While Ciara is best left as a passive poser who can just radiate a cheery beauty, she still could use some thematic elements and a bit of motion in her pictorial, which is sorely lacking. When it all boils down, Miss Price is easily the "what if" candidate in the 2011 class, with the difference between her and the top 2 ladies simply being her performance itself.

Face: A+

Body: A

Talent: B+

Pictorial: B

Centerfold: B

Overall: A-

#2

Amanda Cerny, Miss October

Age 20 | 34C-24-34 | 5'7" | 125 lbs

My top two Playmates of 2011 are easily my favorites by a mile. While all the other 10 ladies had some issues that would keep them out of the race in my mind (including Ciara), these final two simply don't. Enter Amanda, one of the more interesting women in the class. With Eastern European pedigree and a very unique face and body, her all-around appeal gives her an edge in the polls. In fact, she is polling at a rather high level, fighting off some of the more heralded candidates. The reason for this is simple: Amanda's beauty melds excellently with a solid, attractive pictorial. While it won't revolutionize the way Playmates are shot, Amanda leaves an indelible mark on the year.
The Good: All-around greatness is Amanda's game, and it all starts with her body. While there are other great bodies in 2011, like Rainy Day or Tiffany, Amanda's is in a different  category. She does have that voluptuous frame that seems to be the trend for Playmates of the decade so far, with hourglass curves and a smoother, less defined core. But what Amanda also mixes with this is a great lower body, with legs that are tough and defined, and are photographed immaculately. Just take a look at her beautifully executed Centerfold, picturing her in front of a mirror. Her legs are featured prominently here, and rightfully so. With amazing thighs and muscular calves nestled into some golden stilettos, Amanda creates a great visual image. Combine that with some milky smooth skin and a lovely pair of eyes, and you have Amanda, one hell of a model. Her sense for the camera isn't bad, either - Amanda's posing complements her body style very well, with each photo taking advantage of her tall frame and rugged (but refined) look. There's just a lot of good to say about this all around wonderful girl.
The Bad: With all of that good, it's hard to pick on things with Amanda. One thing is her facial expressions, which are inconsistent and take away from the character she otherwise displays so well. She lacks much definition in her face, making her a bit forgettable. That really is a microcosm of Amanda - she is an incredible model in many ways, but she doesn't ever excel at one thing. She has an amazing body with a good pictorial and nice talent, but doesn't ever pack the punch that some other ladies do in some areas. Although she might not win many category awards, she's still got the minimum baggage that makes her a great Playmate in the running for PMOY.

Face: B+

Body: A

Talent: A

Pictorial: A-

Centerfold: A+

Overall: A-

#1

Tiffany Toth, Miss September

Age 25 | 34C-24-36 | 5'8" | 125 lbs

My #1 Playmate of the 2011 class came as a big of a surprise to me. Tiffany has been in the Playboy ranks for the past couple of years. She made her debut as a Cyber Girl of the Week nearly six years ago, appearing then as a wide-eyed teen with little experience. After years of numerous appearances in a variety of pictorials, she garnered some major attention from fans. Still, I never got what the fuss was all about, and I still didn't all the way up to her Playmate nomination. She was a cute girl, sure, but there was never that spark that truly pushed her over the edge. But alas, here she is, at the top of my rankings for PMOY 2012, and that's all due to her perfect balance of energy, looks, and a brilliant pictorial. All in all, she put together a tour de force performance that should rank her among the top on anyone's list.
The Good: Tiffany didn't just drag on with her usual schtick when putting together her PMOM performance. Instead, she gave us a wonderfully dynamic and colorful pictorial that just popped out of the pages. She took on an overhauled look, with a tighter, visibly sleeker body (and abs), and a smoky set of engaging eyes that  really transformed her as a model. While before she could look overly childish and bubbly, now she comes off as a bombshell beauty. While other girls of 2011 left their sexuality somewhere far behind, nowhere to be found, Tiffany brought it in heavy doses, delivering one of the best centerfolds of the year, and unabashedly displaying some sensual zeal in full frontal awesomeness. Through it all, she still retains the best aspect of her past career - her wholesome likability, of course. Tiffany's personality comes across well in her pictorial, while she skillfully adds a layer of awareness that exhibits her maturity. And with the well-produced and involved pictorial, Playboy's editors gave her a star treatment that many others this year have sadly lacked. Bravo, I say, and here's to 2012's Playmate of the Year!
The Bad: While Tiffany does have her moments of fault, all in all I'd say that her performance in her Playmate spread was downright flawless. The model could be more photogenic overall, but no one's faulting her for that given her transformation into a more solid and skilled model over the years. Her sense for the camera has improved so much in the past six months, it's tough to notice any of the issues she had before. Although I'll admit that Tiffany is not revolutionary by any means, she is certainly in the upper echelon this year, and may have done as well as she possibly could have.

Face: A-

Body: A

Talent: A+

Pictorial: A

Centerfold: A

Overall: A

Playmate Superlatives

Best Pictorial
Tiffany Toth

Best Breasts
Tiffany Toth

Best Butt
Jaclyn Swedberg

Best Talent
Tiffany Toth

Best Face
Ciara Price

Best Body
Rainy Day Jordan