Playmate of the Year, Sara Jean Underwood, was in Texas last year and made some time to chat with Study Breaks. She was chosen as the Playmate of the Year for 2007, surpassing some of the world’s most beautiful women. The fame and fortune associated with being a bunny was a life-changing experience for Sara, but now she is eyeing the normal life once again.
What was the path to become the Playmate of the Year?
They were having the girls of PAC-10 try outs and I went over on a whim. I was just in school studying and never really thought I had what it takes to be in Playboy, much less Playmate of the ear. I ended up getting picked to be on the cover. Then I got chosen as playmate of the month in July 2006. About a year later I was picked as playmate of the year.
What did you think when you found out you won Playmate of the Year?
When I was told I was chosen, I was in total shock. I had thought that another girl was going to win, so I was completely unprepared and a little scared. It was such a huge honor though and I was really excited.
How has your life changed since you became a Playmate?
The travel I have been able to do and the people I have been able to meet have been amazing. I have done something and lived a life that few people have done. Since becoming the playmate of the year I also have had to get out of my shell. I am still a somewhat shy and reserved person, but being in the spotlight forces me to be more confident and outgoing.
What did your family and friends think when you got in Playboy?
They were actually all really surprised and excited. I am not normally a crazy type person so they did not see it coming. They have all been really supportive of me though and are proud of me.
What was it like at the Playboy Mansion?
It was an amazing experience. Of course the mansion had amazing pools, cooks on call 24/7 and all that great stuff. I actually stayed with a bunch of the other girls in the house across from the mansion and I made some really good friends. I liked it better across the street because we had did not have as many restrictions as the girls in the Mansion. They had 9:00 curfews and some restrictions on their travel.
Why did the girls in the mansion get the restrictions?
They were going out and partying way too much and eventually Hef decided that he was not going to put up with it.
So what is Hef like?
He is an amazing person. He is super smart and hard working. He still gets up and works 5 days a week, despite him being in his 80s.
Did you ever come close to being one of his girlfriends?
No, not really. He tends to know when the girls are after him and we were just good friends.
So what kind of crazy stuff happened in the mansion of the infamous grotto?
There were always parties going on with celebrities and girls everywhere, it was an experience. But what happens in the grotto, stays in the grotto!
So are you going to pursue a career in Hollywood like many former Playmates?
No, I really only have done parts that have come to me because of my title. I never really planned on that being my full time career. I have had parts in House Bunny and Miss March that were fun and appeared on Girls Next Door a couple times. I am going to go back to school now to finish up my degree in Business Marketing. After I graduate I am not sure what I will do.
Do the professors and students all try to hit on you on campus?
I am actually taking the classes from Portland. Oregon State has been really great working with me. Being on campus would be a weird thing, all my old friends have graduated and I would rather not walk around campus alone. I posed on the cover with the school Jersey painted on me, so it would be kind of awkward to be on campus. I am also pretty busy, so taking classes from home works out better.
The guys wanna know – are you single?
Yes, I am single!
So do you go out in Portland and enjoy the nightlife?
I am always busy and on the weekends I am usually out of town doing an appearance or something so I never really have a chance.
So how do you like Texas?
I like it, I have only really been to the bigger cities here, but it is fun.
