About
Eugena Washington is an American model, actor, and entrepreneur who first caught the public eye as the poised, no-nonsense contestant who placed third on America’s Next Top Model cycle 7 back in 2006. Nearly a decade later she broke new ground at Playboy, earning the December 2015 “Playmate of the Month” title and then being named 2016 Playmate of the Year—the first honoree chosen after the magazine pivoted away from full nudity and the last to have her sash bestowed by Hugh Hefner at the Mansion. Beyond glossy spreads, Washington has walked fashion weeks from Los Angeles to New York, popped up on daytime TV in The Bold and the Beautiful, and shared the big screen with Paula Patton and Terrence J in the romantic comedy The Perfect Match (2016). Her career today blends modeling, acting, brand partnerships, and the budding beauty ventures she often teases on social media.
Before Fame
Born in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1984, Washington spent her childhood in a busy household where creativity was encouraged. Her father’s work with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference exposed her to civil-rights history, while an older brother fostered her competitive streak. After graduating from high school she studied biology for a short time, but the runway kept calling. In 2006 she auditioned for Tyra Banks’ reality juggernaut and—despite a rocky start that included critiques about her walk—she steadily climbed the ranks, ultimately finishing third. Although she didn’t take the top prize, the show gave her a crash course in editorial posing, on-camera interviews, and the whirlwind pace of fashion shoots, setting the stage for a professional portfolio that quickly expanded once the season wrapped.
Trivia
- Playboy barrier-breaker: Washington became only the third African-American Playmate of the Year in the magazine’s history and the very first chosen during its short-lived “no-nude” era.
- Music-video cameo: Eagle-eyed fans may spot her in B.o.B’s chart-topping “Nothin’ on You.”
- Commercial face: Before the Playboy milestone, she co-starred in a McCafé spot opposite R&B singer Dwele, proving she could sell lattes as effortlessly as high fashion.
- Entrepreneurial spirit: By 2019 she was developing a hair-care line and a self-help podcast, motivated by her own journey toward healthier curls and sharper self-confidence.
- Influencer moves: Cîroc tapped her for its “Let’s Get It” campaign in 2016, placing her alongside hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs as an ambassador of hustle culture.
Family Life
Washington often credits her parents for keeping her grounded during the upheaval of reality-TV fame. She has spoken about her father’s commitment to social justice and how her mother juggled raising eight children—a background that taught her resilience and collaboration. Her siblings remain close; in a candid Instagram reflection she confessed that early success made her focus too heavily on career wins, but regular Sunday calls—and plenty of playful sibling rivalry—pulled her back to the family circle. The support system proved vital when the internet dissected her Playboy appearance; relatives reminded her that representation matters, especially for young Black women navigating beauty standards. Today she splits time between Los Angeles and South Carolina, carving out trips home for barbeque dinners, church anniversaries, and what she lovingly calls “front-porch life resets.”
Associated With
Washington’s professional story intersects with several notable figures:
- Tyra Banks – As creator and host of America’s Next Top Model, Banks offered mentorship on and off screen, teaching Washington to think beyond the runway toward media, branding, and philanthropy.
- CariDee English – The eventual winner of cycle 7 remains a friendly rival; the two have appeared together at ANTM reunion panels, swapping stories about their shared whirlwind.
- Hugh Hefner – The publishing icon personally announced her Playmate of the Year honor, marking both a career peak for Washington and a sunset moment in Playboy lore.
- Sean “Diddy” Combs – Their collaboration on the Cîroc campaign introduced her to the world of spirits marketing and broadened her business Rolodex.
