Alison Waite

Age is nothing but a number for Alison Waite, our Miss May 2006. She’s the quintessential girl next door, with long brown hair, brown eyes and a great smile. “I’m the real deal,” she says. “I have a master’s degree in gerontology from San Diego State, and I plan to continue my studies in medicine.” Alison was waiting tables at Hooters – to pay her graduate tuition – when she was invited to a Midsummer Night’s Dream party at the Playboy Mansion. While at the party, she got to talking with Kimberley Conrad – Playmate of the Year 1989, and more importantly, Mrs. Hugh Hefner. “She asked me if I was a Playmate,” says Alison. “I said no, and she said that I should be.” A few days later, we called her to test for Playmate. She made the cover and Centerfold of the May 2006 issue of Playboy, graduating from San Diego State later that month, and was one of four finalists for Playmate of the Year. “I never thought that I would be a Playmate,” says Alison, still reeling. “I’m proud of my education, but I wanted to take my career with Playboy as far as I could.” She was featured on The Girls Next Door, Holly’s World and Kendra, worked as a field correspondent for E! Entertainment and Extra, and continues to host for Playboy. “I can go back to school and get my PhD,” she says, “or I can have my own morning show. I can do anything that I want to do. I studied gerontology because I believe in a long, meaningful life – and that’s the kind of life I want to live.”