Captivating
with Playboy New Zealand April 2023 cover star Lana Mae / @lanamaewhereabouts
Photography by Miles Long / @mileslong4real
MUA: Wendy Doyle / @gypsecouture
PR Agency: Centerfold Features / @centerfold_features
Such an absolute honor to have you on Playboy! Tell us about your daily schedule as a model, do you have a routine? What an honor it is to be here on the cover of Playboy! I’m happy to share a little about myself. To the naked eye, my schedule appears a bit unconventional and unorthodox. I perform late at night and rise with the afternoon sun, however the logistics of a showgirl schedule demand routine and discipline. My current schedule looks a bit like this: I wake up- the day has already begun, so I check my emails and messages and respond where I can. Then, I leave my phone behind to take my pup, Rico, outside for a walk. When we return, I make breakfast for him and his feline friend, Tux. For myself, I blend a smoothie and assess the damage that must be done for the day! I hit the gym for some breathwork, yoga, and physical training- which includes calisthenics, strength training, and dance rehearsal. I make lunch when I get home and start dwindling away the items on the to-do list before dinner and preparation for a weekend of shows! My nighttime ritual after a show usually starts with a little snack and a nice hot shower.
How do you like to begin your day? I may have slyly mentioned in one of our previous interviews the self-love I show myself in the morning! I like a slow start to the day with lo-fi jams and yoga.
What are some of your biggest dreams you hope to achieve? Through good fortune and hard work, I’ve seen many of my biggest dreams come true already: appearing on the cover of Playboy Magazine was high on the list! Right next to performing my shows in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada. During my year touring North America, I envisioned some new goals. It would be a dream to blossom into the confident and professional entertainer I know I can be, and that woman will travel all over the world. International travel has always been at the very top of my list!
What helps you decompress and relax? It is especially important to nurture and nourish my body as an athlete, but sometimes I must force myself to allow time for rest and recovery. In order to decompress and relax, I pencil in solo rest days to my calendar. That means no work or outside interaction. I stay at home with my pets and make delicious food to eat while I read or watch videos. I’ve grown very fond of drawing myself a bath filled with coconut oil and Epsom salts, too… some bunny rabbit self-love never hurt either!
Who has been the most influential person in your life and why? I often find myself struggling to answer this question authentically. I have been fortunate enough to cross paths or work with a plethora of incredibly talented individuals who have come into my life specifically to challenge my way of thinking or living- to either lift me up or drag me to the next place. To deem someone the most influential person in my life would be an insult to all the people still standing in my corner, who influence me to be better every day. I cannot thank each of them enough. You all know who you are!
How romantic are you? Former lovers would rate me 10/10: very romantic.
What is the most memorable date you’ve ever had? I haven’t been on many dates, but my first date was by far the most memorable. It was spontaneous; it was daring; it was fun! I met a very handsome man at the courthouse (very laudable, I know!) while handling some paperwork. We hit it off immediately, and met up for an Italian dinner and too many dirty martinis to count. There was chemistry and the conversation was flowing. After dinner, he proposed the idea to go swimming (in the middle of winter)! Turned out that a new hotel with an indoor pool had just opened down the street, so we stripped down to our socks and went for a midnight swim. I would say 10/10: very romantic.
What was the biggest lesson from your worst breakup? I am grateful for the lessons each of my past lovers have taught me. My biggest takeaway from my worst breakup was this: be your own person and love yourself first. Most of the devastation from my breakup came from placing so much of my identity into that other person, that I lost sight of who I was as an individual. The experience forced me to love myself, and now I will accept nothing less than a healthy, autonomous relationship.
Would you rather be loved, respected, or admired? If I had to choose from the three, I would rather be loved. I recently read the book, All About Love, by Bell Hooks. It was a beautifully written account of the truths she learned about love in a modern society, and the ways we can be more open to giving and receiving love. Under the umbrella of love, lies respect. Love and respect exist in harmony because to love someone, is to respect the person that they are through and through. I think admiration is a side effect of love. When I love someone, I find ways to admire their heart. You don’t have to love someone you respect or admire, but you will respect and admire someone you love.
Are you a city traveler or nature explorer? I’m a nature explorer at heart! I grew up camping, fishing, and hiking. The great outdoors is my escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
What’s on your travel bucket list? My travel bucket list is an ever-growing list of dope places including my country of origin, South Korea, as well as France, Greece, Italy New Zealand, and South Africa, just to name a few. I also currently have a Polaroid photo project I am working on here in the U.S. to capture shots of all fifty states at least once!
Where can our readers catch up with you and stay updated with your work? I can be found on all social media platforms! Facebook: Lana Mae, Instagram: @lanamaewhereabouts, Twitter: @lilmisslanamae, Tiktok: LanaMaeXD, Onlyfans: @lanamaexxx, Website: lanamaexxx.com.
