When Raquel Pomplun, 26, was brainstorming ways to make more money for college, never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d end up breaking barriers in modeling. Yet that’s what happened when the San Diego native applied to Playboy. With encouragement from friends and family she tried out and gained the nod of approval from none other than Hugh Hefner himself. But Raquel became not just any Playmate; in 2013 she was named Playmate of the Year, making her the first Mexican-American and bilingual to attain the honor. Her life has been a whirlwind ever since. ‘LLERO caught up with Ms. Pomplun and discovered that this estrella’s assets go well beyond her looks.
‘LL: The last time we heard from you, you were making waves as Playboy’s first Latina playmate. What are you working on right now?
Raquel: I currently have a small role in Mark Wahlberg’s new movie called, The Gambler. I [also] have something else that I can’t officially announce yet that is television related. I also host Blackbelt TV’s “Rockin’ Rounds” and co-host of Playboy Radio’s “Mansion Mayhem” where we go behind-the–scenes of the Playboy mansion and all the parties. I still model here and there too.
‘LL: Speaking of Playboy…how did that all happen anyway?
Raquel: It was an accident. It came when I was working and going to school full time. I was studying biochemistry and needed another job. So my friend suggested I go back to modeling because I used to do it before. But I am only 5’6”, I can’t do runway modeling, and I was already older. So she was like, “No, you can do swimsuit modeling,” and she went on and on about it. Then finally at the end she asked, “Why not Playboy?” So I went home and told my husband the entire conversation and he was like, “why not?” I told him “I am super skinny, I have no boobs there is no way.” But he encouraged me to try out for it. So I filled out the form online and they called me. I went in and two months later they asked me to be a playmate.
‘LL: So you went from being a student to a sexpot. How did life change?
Raquel: This is how much my life changed: I had never even been on an airplane before [appearing in] Playboy. Now I was being sent across the country to host events. My first assignment was in Denver and it was my first trip ever, at age 24. I also never thought I had this talent for being on television, for hosting, for radio; it was all new to me.
‘LL: Latino families can be very traditional/conservative when it comes to sexuality. How did yours react to your new status?
Raquel: My family is very open-minded and very liberal in their ways of living and thinking. My parents are both very open-minded. My dad has always been a Playboy fan even though everyone always says they read it for the articles – he really does like it for the articles. It’s really amazing how different my family is from everyone else’s. I’m actually very grateful I was raised liberal.
‘LL: Do you have plans to go back to school now that you have this new career?
Raquel: I definitely want to finish because education is something no one can take away from you. One day I will be older and there will be a new face, a new “it” person and I have to move on. So I have to have my plan B, which is biochemistry, which I love. It’s another passion of mine so I will make sure to finish my degree for that.
‘LL: What would people be surprised to know about you?
Raquel: That Spanish is my first language and I still speak it at home.
‘LL: What is your favorite thing about Latino men?
Raquel: Oh my God, that they can dance! I love a man that can and move. It’s a super turn on.
‘LL: On the flipside, what’s your least favorite thing about Latino men?
Raquel: That they can be a little bit macho at some times. But nowadays you don’t see that as much as would say 10-20 years ago.
‘LL: What’s your definition of a caballero?
Raquel: A caballero is someone that, even though we are more independent as women, still caters to you and makes you feel special. So, they open the door for you, they still ask you what you want to drink, they consider your opinions before making a decision – that’s a caballero.
‘LL: What kind of roles do you want to take on in the future? Anyone in particular you want to work with?
Raquel: I think I would do better in comedy rather than drama, so I would want to go that route. I don’t’ know if it’s too much to ask, but I would love to work in a movie maybe as a supporting actress or just any role with Ms. Jennifer Lopez! I just love her. I would die if I ever meet her! She is such an entrepreneur and great businessperson. I look up to her so much. She does everything.
‘LL: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Raquel: There are two ways things could go; first is having a show, booking a show, representing at least one charity so I can help out and give back, and just having my health. However, if that doesn’t happen for me, then continuing with my biochemistry career and helping to find energies that will help the environment – not harm it more than it is already. So, I have plan A and plan B.
Want to learn more about Raquel Pomplun? Follow Raquel on Twitter @RPomplun and add her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Rpomplun