Actress and Playboy Model Emelina Adams is a rising star whose graced both movie sets and high-fashion runways. She sat down with us to discuss growing up in the shadow of Las Vegas, her sushi obsession, and rubbing elbows with Leonardo Freakin’ DiCaprio.
Playboy: To start us off, where were you born?
Emelina Adams: I was born and raised in Henderson, Nevada. It’s near Las Vegas. I mean, you really can’t do much in Vegas until you’re 21. I think it’s a lot more fun now when I go back and visit. All my friends work in night life. My dad was in the show ticketing business. So I grew up going to see all the shows and concerts and stuff like that, like the OG shows.
Playboy: What was one of the most memorable shows you saw growing up?
Emelina: It was definitely Siegfried and Roy. That was so cool to see live. I just love them and I love the animals. And I just remember being a little girl and I was so excited to go see that.
Playboy: What do you obsess about?
Emelina: I would say obsess about my health. I feel like I’m always trying to just be healthy, and really be like the best version of myself.
Playboy: What was the first thing you ever dreamed of achieving?
Emelina: From a young age, I always wanted to be an actress, but that did not happen until later in life. I just didn’t know how to get into acting. So, I started competing in beauty pageants and I won the title of Miss Nevada USA in 2016. So, that kind of got my foot in the door into more modeling opportunities.
Playboy: What turns you on?
Emelina: Definitely someone who follows through. I’m always a woman of my word and I feel like I try to keep it real with people. And when I get that in return…I just love that so much. Because I feel like in LA everyone is so full of it. They’re always all talk and no show and I’m always someone who does what I say I’m going to do. So that goes a long way with me.
Playboy: What turns you off?
Emelina: I really do not like people who are just full of it. I like to keep things real. I feel like I’m a pretty genuine person, and I’m always honest. I’d rather someone just tell me the truth and be kind of rude than just two faced and superficial to my face.
Playboy: You’ve had a pretty busy itinerary in 2024. Have you had any moments where you were totally starstuck?
Emelina: Yeah, it wasn’t on a set though. I actually went to Leonardo DiCaprio’s 50th birthday last weekend, and it was so much fun. I’ve never really been in such a star-studded environment like that before. I have been on some big sets, but it’s so interesting being in a social environment around those kind of people. And it was a really awesome experience.
Playboy: Did you get to meet Leo?
Emelina: I did! He was really nice and genuine too. He’s great.
Playboy: What would make you ghost a potential suitor?
Emelina: If they’re just not putting in effort. I think effort is very attractive with somebody. Most recently, there was a guy who was really pursuing me, and I wasn’t really sure if I was interested in him or not. But because he was so persistent, he was showing me how interested he was. And I think that’s a really great quality. I feel like a lot of people just don’t put in the effort these days because everybody’s so accessible with all the dating apps and everything.
Playboy: What’s the title of your autobiography?
Emelina: That’s a good question. Gosh…”Born This Way.”
Playboy: Love it. What food do you reach for when you’re feeling blue?
Emelina: My favorite food is sushi. I feel like I could eat it every day. I’m going to get mercury poisoning. I eat it so much [Laughs]. Since I moved to LA, I’ve been obsessed with Sugarfish and I always get the “Trust Me.”
Playboy: What’s a talent you wish you had?
Emelina Adams: I wish I could sing. I just think that would be so amazing. I’m always so jealous of people who can sing and dance and act and everything. But I suck at singing.
Playboy: Do you believe in astrology?
Emelina: I’m an Aquarius—and my dog’s Aquarius, too! I feel like we kind of do what we want. We’re free-spirited and aloof. And we don’t really follow the crowd. And I just really feel like I’m all of those things. I don’t really do what the crowd is doing. I really just follow what I believe in.
Playboy: Who was the first fictional character that you fell in love with?
Emelina: When I was a little girl, I was obsessed with The Addams Family because my last name is Adams. And so I just loved Wednesday Addams. She was so cool, and she kind of looked like me with dark hair and pale skin. So I was like, “I want to be just like her.”
Playboy: Describe the perfect slice of pizza.
Emelina: So, I studied abroad in Italy and I’m Italian. I love just a simple pizza margarita, but also it’s a little spicy with Calabrian chilies and honey on top. It’s so good.
Emelina Adams is on The Playboy Club. Talk to her now.
