Lauren Michelle Hill is more than comfortable in front of the camera. A tall, willowy brunette with clear blue eyes, Lauren’s mother owned a modeling agency in her home state of South Carolina, so from a young age, she learned to live in the spotlight. “Mom would take me and my brothers and sister to auditions,” she says. “Every one of us acted and modeled, even our cat – he was in That Darned Cat!” Lauren got her start as a catalogue model, selling clothes, shoes and hair products, but after a move to Los Angeles, she decided to take a more clothing-optional approach. “I was on Baywatch,” she says proudly. “In one episode I played one of the junior lifeguards.” Returning to South Carolina, Lauren received an invitation to pose for Playboy, and after some less-than-hostile negotiation, she became our Miss February 2001. “I originally said no to Playboy,” she admits. “I didn’t think I could be a Playmate because I’m just kind of normal-looking!” Naturally, we disagreed with Lauren, and thankfully, we were able to convince her otherwise. When she’s not in front of the camera, the beautiful Miss Hill spends her time behind it, and she counts international travel and hot cheese grits as a few of her favorite things. When it comes to men and romance, she’s just as gritty. “I’m looking for a true gentleman with a great sense of humor,” says Lauren. “If you want to date a Southern girl, arrive on time – we like to keep you waiting!” We’d wait all night long for a girl like Lauren Michelle Hill.