Interview Of The Week with Michelle Farrell: A Playmate story

Michelle Farrell was too shy to take off her clothes in her 20s. Then she become a Playmate after the age of 40 while keeping her clothes on. How is that possible? This BWG interview will give you the answers.

“I want to empower women over 40!”

Where did you get the idea to become a Playmate?

The idea has been around for over 20 years. I had known Hugh Hefner since my 20s until he passed away a few years ago. He was always very inspirational to me. He has accomplished so much and he had a magazine that has broken every barrier. He definitely was not shy about sexuality.

Hef asked me to shoot for the magazine but I didn’t want to get naked. I was a singer and he knew that! He called me “Mom” because I would not take off my clothes. Once he pulled up one of my girlfriend's bathing suit to see a tattoo and I slapped his hand. He said “OK Mom!”. So the name stayed with me.

After the age of 40 I wanted to reinvent myself. I wanted to do something for me and a modeling career is something that you are in charge of. I felt very empowered by it. Oddly enough I didn’t have to really get naked for my Playboy shoot in 2018. Playmates are not asked to do that anymore. It was just implied nudity so because of my kids and family I was happy about that!

Even though Hef is not around anymore being a Playmate is still a privilege that thousands of girls dream about. How can one become a Playmate?
As I decided to do it after my 40s I didn’t really use Hugh Hefner’s influence although he did help me get into the corporate office for many events and the mansion where I connected with photographers and important people. But I did not use those contacts until later in life.

I was published as a Playmate in Slovakia. A European Playboy magazine has a different set of photographers so I had to work really hard for about six years and shoot with many different people to finally make it happen. And I’m glad I did! It is iconic and just such an honor - especially since Marilyn Monroe was on the cover and she is my idol.

What does it take to be a Playmate?

Confidence is number one and having a great attitude! You have to have faith in your bunny sisters. It’s not just you, it’s a group thing. It is about teamwork. There is no room for jealousy at Playboy and you have to root for all your girls.

Discipline is a factor, too. Not eating carbs, I’ll tell you that diet is important. Also shooting a lot of photos, constantly learning how to pose and look natural but at the same time sensual.

Being a Playmate is very glamorous. You get paid to promote many different clubs and places once you become one. You can make a lot of money but you also have to spend a lot. Looking amazing takes a lot of time and a lot of money.

Who is your favorite Playmate and why?

Olga Loera. She is very successful and glamorous! In this business you must be sexually attractive, not just pretty. You have to have a sensuality about you and you have to exude confidence in your pictures and not be shy!

What is next for you?

I have more covers coming and more inspirational viewpoints about life on my new website that will be launching in January.

My message to all women is: Be confident in yourself, healthy from the inside out, don’t let anyone get in the way of your goals, always love one another, and be kind to the girls who are trying to make it because you were there once, you can relate, and you are never too old!

Michelle is doing a seminar in January 2021 on how to become a Playmate. She can help girls cut many corners which will help them get to their goal of being a Playmate or a model in the Instagram world!

She is also launching her website www.michellefarrell.com so stay tuned!