Playboy’s 2006 Playmate of the Year, Kara Monaco, was born on February 26, 1983, in Lakeland, Florida. Growing up in Florida, Monaco enjoyed gymnastics and dance, and later on worked as a bartender and swimwear and lingerie model. Her signature drink as a cocktail slinger was called “sex with an alligator,” and was a mix of Malibu, Midori, and pineapple juice topped with Jager. Monaco also worked at the Magic Kingdom for four years, playing Cinderella, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, and the Little Mermaid in shows and parades. 

In 2004, Monaco hooked up with Playboy when she was chosen Playboy’s Sexiest Bartender of the year, and appeared on the cover of the magazine’s girls of summer edition later that year. After being named Playmate of the Month, Monaco was named Playmate of the Year in 2006, for which she received $100,000, a car, and a sports motorbike along with the title.  

For her Playmate of the Year spread, Monaco was able to contribute her own ideas for the concept. Based on a shoot previously down with Carmen Electra, Monaco was photographed on a mirror, resulting in a double image of herself.  

In 2005, Monaco branched out into appearing in a series of home fitness videos, ENVY, under the name “Vala.” A self-confessed health and fitness nut, Monaco specialized in leg toning in the video. She currently works out three to five times a week, and was also featured in FHM and Men’s Fitness magazines.  

Monaco has appeared on the E! reality TV series, The Girls Next Door, alongside the house’s three permanent fixtures, Holly Madison, Kendra Wilkinson, and Bridget Marquardt. Monaco was also previously a resident of the house, owned by Playboy patriarch, Hugh Hefner. A fan of reality television, Monaco enjoys watching The Real World, The Surreal Life, and Meet the Barkers; however, she is reluctant to star on a reality show herself, preferring to stay on the other side of the screen.  

In addition to modeling, Monaco (who is of no relation to Kelly Monaco, Miss April 1997) has also starred in the 2006 music video for Willie Wisely’s song “Stayin’ Home Again,” as well as appearing on the small screen in an episode of CSI: Miami, and a pilot for a drama about NFL cheerleaders starring Judd Nelson called Sideliners, currently being pitched to networks.  

For guys out there wondering how they can pick up a Playboy playmate, Monaco’s advice is to stay sincere. “I just want a guy to come up to me and say hi, without all the pickup lines and pretending. Just do something normal.”