Shallan Meiers Reflects on Overcoming Fear in Exclusive Preview of Secrets of Playboy

Playboy • Hugh Hefner • A&E Network • Philo: Years before Holly Madison rose to stardom on the reality show The Girls Next Door, Playboy had another captivating series that documented their quest for a new model. Now, one contestant is sharing her experience on the Fox special, and it's a story worth hearing.

In an exclusive clip from season 2 of Secrets of Playboy, premiering on A+E on Monday, July 10, Shallan Meiers opens up about her unexpected journey with Playboy. At the time, Playboy wasn't her dream, but her life took a surprising turn when a Playboy scout approached her while she was working as a waitress at Spago in Las Vegas. The scout wasted no time and asked the burning question, "Are your breasts real?" Meiers was taken aback, and her facial expression said it all. Being only 20 years old, the scout advised her to consult with her mother.

As Meiers had never seen an issue of Playboy before, her mother suggested she take a look at a copy and gauge her comfort level with the content. Flipping through the pages, she couldn't help but marvel at the stunning women featured in the magazine. However, Meiers doubted that she could measure up to those seemingly unreal beauties. Still, her interest was piqued, and she grappled with the idea of posing nude.

Feeling both intrigued and hesitant, Meiers faced a pivotal decision. She knew that the opportunity presented by the scout was significant, but she questioned whether she could overcome her reservations. Expressing her concerns to her mother, she confessed, "I don't know if I'm gonna be able to get naked." Her mother's response was simple yet profound: "Well, there's only one way to find out."

At the time, Meiers battled intense shyness and felt uncomfortable even wearing a bathing suit in public. The thought of posing nude was a daunting prospect. Yet, she recognized that she was tired of living in fear and decided to seize the opportunity before her. She said yes because she didn't want to live with regrets.

Meiers participated in the Fox competition show, The Girl Next Door: The Search for a Playboy Centerfold, which aired in 2002. Although she made it to the semifinals as one of the seven contestants, she ultimately lost to Lauren Anderson, who went on to become Playmate of the Month in July of that year.

Interestingly, Anderson is also set to appear in season 2 of Secrets of Playboy, which aims to explore the aftermath of various women's connections to the iconic brand. The first season featured interviews with Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt, and it aired last year.

Madison, in particular, found it challenging to watch the docuseries after sharing her own experiences with the show's creators. She admitted that she couldn't bring herself to watch episode two, explaining, "I don't want to watch myself talk about my trauma again." The emotional toll of revisiting those memories was too much for her. However, she did watch the other episodes, which were released over 12 weeks. Unfortunately, watching the series took a toll on her mental well-being, as she experienced nightmares about being back at the Playboy Mansion.

The journey of Shallan Meiers and the other contestants on The Girl Next Door: The Search for a Playboy Centerfold showcases the complex and transformative experiences they encountered. Their stories provide a unique glimpse into the world of Playboy and the impact it had on their lives.