Photo by Mackel Vaughn
I recently spent some time chatting with Karissa Shannon, who is one of the twins who took over for Holly, Kendra and Bridget on “The Girls Next Door”. Karissa’s still pursuing reality TV but has also landed a role in the Sofia Coppola dramedy Somewhere. Excited by the opportunity to “break out and become famous” Karissa shares the scoop on her romantic affairs with Hef and how she stays trim.
Fitz: Is Somewhere your first movie? Tell me about your role.
Karissa: Yes, it was my first and I want to do a lot more! My sister and I play exotic dancers; I’m Cindy and she’s Bambi, but we didn’t get naked in the film. Our characters are super fun and playful.
Fitz: How did you get the role?
Karissa: They contacted us through Playboy PR. I’m really happy they did it too, cause my sister and I have always wanted to be famous. We started modeling with Playboy and then got to do a lot of TV with the “Girls Next Door” and now we’re trying movies. I’m like Yes! This is what I want to do. I’ll do them with my sister or branch off and do my own thing. But I want to be in a lot more movies.
Fitz: Have you taken acting classes to prepare for all of this?
Karissa: No, I haven’t. But I have a lot of experience from being on TV for a couple of years.
Fitz: How did you meet Hugh Hefner and become his girlfriend?
Karissa: I met him at 18 years old, while shooting my centerfold pictures for Playboy at the mansion. At that time, the original girls from the “Girls Next Door” were getting ready to leave, so basically we just stayed.
Fitz: Tell me about your romantic relationship with Hef.
Karissa: Well I don’t live there any more and have a boyfriend, but my relationship with Hef was never romantic. It was just for TV and his real girlfriend, Crystal Harris, is an actual romantic relationship and they’re pretty serious. Now that the TV show is off, Hef is retiring from TV and is just going to live his life in peace.
Fitz: Were there ever any expectations for you to be romantic with him?
Karissa: Not really, it was just for show.
Fitz: Through work, you spent a lot of time with your sister. Do you two really get along? Many sisters might kill each other in the same situation.
Karissa: Yes, we live in our own places now, but for the show we had to dress alike and do everything together. We’re still working together on several projects, but would like to branch out be known independently. I’m trying to create my own brand.
Fitz: On the fitness side, I have to ask whether you have to work to stay so trim or if it’s genetic?
Karissa: Oh yes, I definitely have to work to stay thin. I eat really well (greens, lean meats), drink lots of water and work out five days a week. I do an hour of cardio every day and like to work on my butt with moves like squats and lunges.
Fitz: Do you ever struggle with your weight?
Karissa: Around the holidays I tend to gain about five pounds, but I take it off really quickly.
Fitz: What’s your favorite healthy dish?
Karissa: Grilled salmon and vegetables.
Fitz: What’s your favorite not-so-healthy dish?
Karissa: Cheesecake, I love it so much!
Fitz: What’s your plan for the future?
Karissa: I just want to be famous! Do more modeling, TV and movies.
Fitz: Have any advice for other women interested in posing for Playboy?
Karissa: Don’t dye your hair blond and get fake boobs! You don’t need that, just take a natural photo and send it in to the mansion.
