Holly Phillips is a senior at Louisiana State University majoring in English and creative writing. This column appeared in The Daily Reveille, LSU's student newspaper, on March 15 and is reprinted here with the author's permission.
Playboy took my picture. Three days ago I attended the open casting call for the notorious men's magazine. They were on a hunt for their upcoming "Girls of the SEC" issue. When I found out Playboy was coming to town, I jumped at the chance to check it out before I realized exactly what I was getting into. What I discovered was much more pleasant than one might expect.
Playboy is known for its gorgeous bunnies - the ones with flawless bodies and sky-rocketing confidence. I wondered if that was true as I walked down the hotel hall to the "Playboy Suite." Of course, the magazine boasts great articles and jokes too - but I doubt that's what built Heff's mansion.
I associate Playboy with the famous women they've featured -the classic beauties like Marilyn Monroe and Madonna. I'll admit it; I've thought about Playboy in the past. It's one of those things I've had tucked away on a "things-to-do-before-I-die" list that I've kept to myself.
Of course not everyone sees Playboy in the high standards that I do. Several see it as just another pornographic magazine - a place for the immoral to grab a paycheck. I couldn't disagree more. This isn't Hustler, Penthouse or Girls Gone Wild. We're talking Playboy.
Previous issues of Playboy featuring college girls are more innocent than you might realize. Poses with younger women are typically in average settings - libraries, dorm rooms or showers as opposed to sexually explicit. The girls are often smiling rather than displaying bedroom eyes or an "O face." I learned Monday that college girls are the only women featured in Playboy who get to choose how far they'll go; clothed, topless, implied or nude. In no way are the girls pressured to go any further than they feel comfortable. I can prove it.
The Playboy representatives were nothing but respectful and professional. The casting included lots of paperwork. I had to prove I was at least 18 and an LSU student. There was a brief interview session followed by about six test shots. The pictures were taken in a room with only the photographer.
Before I went to the interview, I considered what others were going to think of me. I thought about my friends, ex-boyfriends and future employers, but mostly I thought of my dad. If he's made it this far into the reading, consider it a blessing. When girls do something edgy or risqu?©, people hunt for answers, reasons or someone to blame. Often, the men in their lives are blamed.
For me, that couldn't be further from the truth. My dad and I have a close relationship, and my family has always been supportive of the decisions I make. Although he won't agree with my actions, I can only hope he sees it as an opportunity to work with a prestigious publication. As for my exes and future boyfriends, I don't care what they think. Anyone who's going to judge me harshly because of a picture isn't someone I want in my life.
I haven't found out if I made the cut yet. It's difficult to say exactly what type of girl Playboy is looking for. The photographer described it as a chemistry. "Either you have it, or you don't." Honestly, I don't know how my curves add up in the Playboy pages, but that isn't for me to decide.
The women inside the cover are admired for a reason - they are beautiful. Playboy is more than the Brooke Burke poster in your boyfriend's bedroom. It's about personality, intelligence and entertainment. Whether you see me in the magazine's future or not, know one thing: I am so Playboy.
