COLUMBIA, S.C. — For University of South Carolina students, Playboy models actually are the girls next door.
Third-year exercise science student Jayme Knightly and third-year psychology student Brooke Taylor, who appeared in the “Girls of the SEC” pictorial in the October edition of Playboy magazine, appeared at an autograph session at Capitol City Newsstand on Main Street in Columbia Friday afternoon.
Knightly tried out for the photo shoot after seeing an ad in the paper on her birthday. After a callback the same week, she posed by herself for the magazine.
The process was just as sudden for Taylor, who also responded to the ad. After applying online and setting an audition, she found herself in front of the camera.
“And now I’m in the magazine,” Taylor said.
“Everyone was wonderful,” Knightly said. Photographer David Rams and his staff made sure everyone was comfortable at the photo shoot, she said.
While neither expects widespread fame and recognition, an appearance in Playboy doesn’t go unnoticed.
Taylor, a Virginia native, has gotten a mixed reaction from her friends and family.
“My parents still don’t know, but if they find out, they find out,” she said.
The second youngest of seven children, Taylor did find support from her brothers and sisters.
“My older brothers are concerned because I’m their baby sister. Though if it had been one of my friends, they’d think it was awesome,” she said.
Knightly didn’t tell anyone about posing for Playboy until she knew her picture would make it in the magazine, but since she has, she said the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I’m surprised by how comfortable everyone’s been,” she said. “My mom was just in here and she thinks it’s awesome.”
Though Taylor had modeled before, neither of the two girls plan on making modeling a career. Knightly plans on going to medical school, but said if an opportunity to model again came up, “I wouldn’t say no.”
“I would love to continue, but if it ends at this, it ends at this,” said Taylor, who plans on becoming a social worker or a school counselor.
Neither Taylor nor Knightly regrets posing for the magazine and both will remember the experience fondly.
“It’s been amazing,” Taylor said. “It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever done.”
“No woman can be in Playboy and not be proud,” Knightly said. “Being able to represent your school is awesome.”