“If there’s any chance you’re doubting yourself—be it physically or mentally—I just want you to know that no matter what, there are people out there who love you and will always cheer you on.” So says Katie Vernola, a positive, effervescent native of Victorville, California, and Playboy’s June 2010 Playmate of the Month.
Since her pictorial dropped, Katie has put together a wildly diverse career, running the gamut from race car maven to network talk show regular.
Katie sat down with Playboy to discuss her life before, during, and after her pictorial hit the stands.
PLAYBOY: When you Google “Katie Vernola,” most of the top links lead you to something called “Katie V Racing.” What’s the scoop?
KATIE: [Soon] after I became a Playmate, I went to an off-road race, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever, so I used [my Playboy] money to buy a race car—and my parents were like, you should have bought a house. Katie V Racing is a professional off road race team, and I really take it very seriously. I pour all of my heart into it.
PLAYBOY: Racing over modeling? Are you a bit of an adrenaline junkie?
KATIE: I do have adrenaline that I need to release. Modeling doesn’t allow for that. I can only be so quiet.
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Katie’s Playboy Journey
PLAYBOY: Take us through your Playboy journey.
KATIE VERNOLA: In high school, my friends and I were obsessed with the [Playmates], obsessed with the story behind them—they looked young, wild, and free. The day after my 18th birthday, I got my breast implants, because, like most women, my breasts weren’t twins—they were different-sized sisters. I really wanted to get that handled because I was so focused on posing for Playboy as soon as possible. Soon after the surgery, I went to a casting [call], and sure enough, two months later, I became the youngest Playmate ever.
PLAYBOY: Any advice for Playmate wannabes?
KATIE: I would recommend going to the castings, meeting the other girls, connecting with the people who work at Playboy, and never giving up.
PLAYBOY: Did you have much competition?
KATIE: Yes. There are tons and tons of beautiful women in this world. Young, old, big, small, it doesn’t matter, we’re all beautiful in our own certain way. I truly believe if [modeling] is something you want, go out there and try it. But you have to remember that it’s much more than [having] a beautiful face. You have to have a good personality and you have to be caring; being well rounded is really important. You also have to make sure your hygiene is on point, because if you take care of yourself, it shows. I mean, if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything. It’s not just about getting your hair done.
PLAYBOY: It’s kind of like you’re a professional athlete prepping for the season.
KATIE: Exactly. It’s a full time, difficult gig.
Katie Vernola at the Mansion
PLAYBOY: Talk about your Playmate shoot.
KATIE: I got a call to stay at the Playboy Mansion for roughly three weeks, where I did what I thought was a test shoot. And after the end of these three weeks of shooting, somebody showed me the photos, which I was told were going to be used for my pictorial. It turned out that it wasn’t the test shoot, but rather the real shoot! But they had to reshoot the centerfold, because they wanted more color. It was a breakfast in bed theme, so they switched out Cheerios for Fruit Loops.
PLAYBOY: I respect Fruit Loops.
KATIE: I was not mad at all.
PLAYBOY: Do you think the fact that you didn’t know this was your real shoot made for a better pictorial?
KATIE: Yes, yes, yes. It was almost playful, young, innocent, happy. I was so excited, and I think it shows. It was definitely better than trying to do that sexy Playboy look.
PLAYBOY: What was the Mansion like?
KATIE: Disneyland for adults. You feel like you’re in Hawaii. The grounds were beautiful: The pool, the zoo, the rocks, the grotto, everything. I was in awe. It was picturesque, a dream that I’d always imagined.
PLAYBOY: Aside from auto racing, what other opportunities have come your way because of your Playboy experience?
KATIE VERNOLA: Okay, I don’t know if you’ve seen any of those old Carl’s Jr. commercials, but [the girls in them were] hot as fuck—and if you landed a Carl’s Jr. commercial, good on you, it meant you were freaking spicy. I didn’t book one, but I did get to audition, which was awesome. I’ve also done Jimmy Kimmel Live at least a dozen times. It’s crazy how I started off as a little beach girl, then I went to the red carpet, then I finished it off in the dirt.