Like many actresses, Playboy Club model Aubri Ebony is a multi-hyphenate. When she’s not lighting up the silver screen, she’s providing mental health guidance to fellow models and advocating for special needs adults. Aubri sat down with us to talk about the mental health advice she often prescribes, her passions, and why Halle Berry continues to be a source of inspiration.
Playboy: To start us off, where were you born?
Aubri Ebony: I was born in Chicago, Illinois. I grew up there. Then at 17, I left for college and that’s kind of when I left Chicago. I am currently in Atlanta.
Playboy: I’ve got to ask the obligatory Chicago question…what’s your go-to Portillo’s order?
Aubri: You know what? I’m a hot dog fan with mustard and onions. I kind of keep it really simple. That’s probably what I would get.
Playboy: What was the first thing you dreamed of achieving?
Aubri: I think the first thing I dreamed of achieving was probably world peace. That sounds so crazy. But I went into therapy to be a healer so I can heal the world and so ideally I just want to grow peace.
Playboy: What are you passionate about?
Aubri: My passions lie in mental health. I have a master’s in marriage, couple and family counseling that I use to provide mental health guidance and coaching to models. So I’m also passionate about the development and support mental health of models. I have a huge passion for helping special needs adults. I have a sister with cerebral palsy.
So I created a nonprofit to increase social interactions, and especially the needs of these adults. And I love film. I’m an actress. I love being in front of the camera. I have a couple of cool things out. I’m also creating my own show. So I love telling stories and I love being on camera.
Playboy: And to that end, what’s a piece of advice that you often give to models?
Aubri: I would say that having a strong sense of self and self-love is important because the modeling industry is very fickle at how they view beauty—what’s attractive, what’s not—and no matter what anybody else thinks of you, I think it’s important that you love yourself. And know that you are beautiful, without somebody needing to validate or invalidate that.
Playboy: What’s one thing you could change about the world?
Aubri: I would say racism. It’s not just an American thing. Let’s say, colorism. I think there’s this idea that different complexions—across even Asian Indian cultures, African cultures—that different complexions are better than others. And I think that there’s beauty in every shade.
Playboy: Who are some actresses that inspire you?
Aubri: I love Gabrielle Union. I’m obsessed with Sandra Bullock. She’s amazing. I love any performance, anything she’s done. My last one would probably have to be Halle Berry. I feel like I’m an aspiring Halle Berry. I’d love to be Catwoman in the next one. Zoe Kravitz just did the last one. I love her as well, but Halle Berry definitely takes the cake for me.
Playboy: What about Halle Berry makes her appeal to you so much?
Aubri: I think being one of the first woman of color to really kind of pave away for other actors of color. Also her build is very sexy. I feel like I align in that. I have short hair. She does as well. I love her essence, her personality. How she carries herself. I think it’s really classy.
Playboy: What turns you on?
Aubri: Kindness and compassion. If somebody shows that in the real world, it is a turn on in the essence of, “Look at the world being a good space.” Also, physical touch. A good massage. My boyfriend, he’s good at that.
Playboy: What turns you off?
Aubri: I’d say arrogance and bad hygiene because those two are a terrible combination.
Playboy: Absolutely. What possession do you treasure most?
Aubri: I have these marcasite crescent moon earrings at my grandmother gave me that I definitely hold as a keepsake. She’s still here, on this planet. I love her, she’s my rock. I consider myself to be like a moon child. I’m a Libra, very much in that October energy. When there are full moons, I think about what’s happening, where I want to be in the new cycle. The crescent moon is an alignment with that.
Playboy: Do you believe in astrology?
Aubri: So as a Libra…honestly, they’re the best sign. I know everybody feels different but the Libra is the only zodiac sign in the astrology world that’s a machine. Everything else is a person or animal and we are the only machines, so we’re very hard-working people. The idea of balance, and fairness, and justice is very aligned with who I am and how I see things.
I’m a lover of art and beauty, we’re ruled by Venus, so we love all things beautiful. So I very much encompass that. I am a little indecisive, too. I would say I’m spot on very much a strong Libra.
Playboy: As a fellow Libra, I’m in 100% complete agreement with you. What’s a talent you wish you had?
Aubri: You know what’s crazy? And this is not to be egotistical, but I’m randomly talented in a lot of things. But if I could do something that I can’t currently…maybe painting. I can’t paint for anything. And if I could take a brush and paint and create with these people, I would love that.
Playboy: Who is a woman that inspires you?
Aubri: I gotta go with my grandma. She is a huge part of my upbringing. This is my father’s mother. And just watching her be a very, hard-working self-sufficient, independent woman. And I know, Black people love to make this “hyper independent Black women” idea a thing. But it was amazing to watch a woman work hard, and also support a family. She also made sure that I stood strong in my independence, so that I wasn’t dependent. But she also nurtured a part of me that aways brought out the lover in me. and I think that it was a beautiful balance.
Playboy: What was the last thing you Googled?
Aubri: It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My grandma beat breast cancer. Yesterday, I had a breast exam and they found something in my right boob, which is not concerning right now. But I did happen to Google “calcium deposits and breasts” to understand how that can transition into other things.
Playboy: My gosh, I hope everything’s okay.
Aubri: I leave it up to God. But I’m 32, I found it early. Whatever is happening, I’m healthy. I live a healthy lifestyle. It just happens to run in the bloodline on my paternal side. And so, you deal with it as you can. But right now, I’m okay, I’m great.
Aubri Ebony is on The Playboy Club. Talk to her now.
