Layla Harvest Roberts

Any man would fall for Layla Harvest Roberts. Half-Native American, half-Italian Layla was born in Kealakekua, Hawaii and raised in Beverly Hills, where she found herself a much-sought-after model. “My mother named me after the Eric Clapton song,” she says. “The original fast version, of course.” For Layla, there’s no such thing as foolish pride – she went through an awkward phase, and doesn’t take her good looks – or good fortune, for that matter – for granted. “In high school, I was overweight and weird,” she says. “Alicia Silverstone was in my class, and she was already famous. Finally, I decided to be a model, like my Mom – I lost weight and got noticed by an agent.” After a stint in Europe, Layla returned to Los Angeles, and when she was offered the chance to pose for Playboy, it was an opportunity too good to pass up. “Even when I’m not working, my mind is racing,” she admits. “I’m always figuring out where I am and what my next move is going to be!” Just like that, Layla was our Miss October 1997, easing her own worried mind. “It’s every girl’s dream to be a Playmate,” she says. “Posing nude was wonderful. Now I want to act in the best films of the early 21st century.” After a breakout role on Baywatch, Layla earned roles in big-budget films like Armageddon and The Good Life, and was well on her way to Hollywood stardom. “There are lots of good film jobs out there,” she says with a wave of her hand. “In my fantasies, I’m a warrior woman who dresses in knee-high black boots and not much else.” Funny – that sounds a lot like our fantasies, too.