Lauren Anderson is living proof that fairytale dreams do come true.
The exceptionally beautiful model and actress saw her life change when she won a Fox TV special Girl Next Door: The Search for a Playboy Centerfold. It wasn´t her first time appearing in the magazine (the University of Florida co-ed posed topless for the “Girls of the SEC” pictorial in October 2001), but her appearance on the program and as a Playmate made her a celebrity with staying power.
“I was asked to be one of 10 contestants on the Fox special,” she said. “The competition was tough, so I was surprised and thrilled when Hef named me Miss July 2002.”
She said her life has changed so much since becoming a Playmate.
“My family's been really supportive through it all. When they found out I was going to be Miss July, they were ecstatic! It's been a changing experience for them, too. They had to get used to people recognizing me on the street and wanting autographs, among other things. It's been a real adventure for all of us.”
This fairytale story began in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“My family moved to Florida when I was three,” Lauren said. “I had a great childhood, and I wouldn´t change a bit of it. We had bad times and good times, but it only made me a stronger person.”
She developed her sexy physique while playing volleyball, softball and basketball at a private school in Florida. In 1998, she enrolled at the University of Florida, which would lead her to the opportunity with Playboy.
She feels a close bond with fellow Playmates Julie McCullough, Lindsey Vuolo, Stacy Fuson, Monica Leigh, Jennifer Walcott, Stephanie Heinrich, Sandra Hubby and Shallan Meiers.
Lauren remains one of the most popular Playmates in history, appearing in numerous Playboy videos and various editions of the newsstand specials. Although initially shy about baring her body, today she feels proud to share herself with the world.
“For every woman out there who´s ever dreamed of becoming a Playmate, my advice is to go for it,” she said. “Playboy is all about embracing your sexuality and being proud of your body, and becoming a centerfold is quite an honor. Playboy is an incredible magazine, and Hef is an incredible visionary. I´m glad to be a part of Hef´s dream. It´s been a dream come true for me too.”
Real success as a Playmate means parlaying that exposure into other opportunities. More than just a pretty face, Lauren is also an entrepreneur and business women. She is the CEO of Lauren Anderson Entertainemnt, Inc. and founded a chain of tanning salons in the Gainesville area called LAE Tanning and Boutique. "I really enjoy the sense of empowerment I get from owning something that I started from scratch and helping it grow. Being in business for myself is truly a liberating experience."
Lauren appeared on Howard Stern´s radio program in 2002, then competed in an episode of NBC´s “Fear Factor”. She has graced the covers of numerous magazines such as Speed Magazine and Steppin Out.
Most recently, Lauren starred in and hosted the variety production “Headlights and Tailpipes” in Las Vegas at the legendary Stardust Resort & Casino. This sexy revue featured Lauren and fellow Playmate Barbara Moore, along with sizzling hot dancers and hot rods and motorcycles from the 1960s through the 1990s.
When she isn´t entertaining, Lauren works as an advocate for animal rights and produced a campaign with PETA, posing for a sexy modern update of the famed WWII icon “Rosie the Riveter”. The message? People can switch to vegetarian diets by breaking old habits at the grocery store and while ordering at restaurants.
Her convictions strengthened when she took a class in veterinary medicine at UF.
“In the class, the students were made to go into a chicken coup and choose one, then slaughter it ourselves. I refused to do it and got a C in the class. It was an absolutely horrible experience. I also had a class where I took care of animals. I raised a calf from when she was newly born. It knew me just like a dog or cat would. There was no difference. It was the same with the pigs. When I saw what happens to them in the slaughterhouses, it made me sick. I had to do something to fight the meat industry.”
With her beauty and grace, Lauren continues to charm the world with undeniable charisma. The fairy tale, it appears, is just getting started.