About
Monica Lee Sims is an American model, actress, and digital creator whose sun-kissed California style has drawn fans and brands alike. Born on June 15, 1992, in Orange County, she first splashed onto the international scene as Playboy’s Playmate of the Month for September 2015, posing for photographer Josh Ryan in the magazine’s 62nd-anniversary issue. Alongside print work, she has grown a vibrant Instagram presence—over 180 thousand followers scroll her feed for beachy fashion, wellness snippets, and the occasional behind-the-scenes peek at life on set.
In the years since her centerfold debut, Sims has balanced modeling with small film roles, red-carpet hosting gigs, and charity appearances. Whether stepping onto a movie set or fronting a swimwear campaign, she radiates an effortless confidence that fans say feels “like chatting with a friend”—and that conversational spark is exactly what sets her apart in a crowded influencer landscape.
Before Fame
Raised in coastal Orange County, Monica spent her childhood surfing, roller-skating the boardwalk, and thumbing through fashion magazines. At just 15 she signed with a local agency; by 16 she had booked enough catalog and runway jobs to reward herself with a shiny Mercedes convertible—a teenage dream come true. The early start taught her discipline: juggling castings with high-school homework meant 5 a.m. alarms, no-nonsense bite-size breakfasts, and plenty of late-night study sessions.
Modeling also sharpened her entrepreneurial streak. She began tracking expenses in a color-coded notebook, saved every per-diem, and learned to pitch herself to clients with a warm smile and a clear value proposition. That business mindset would later help her navigate brand partnerships and negotiate film contracts without losing her easygoing charm.
Trivia
- Film cameos: She played “Pauly Shore’s date” in Adam Sandler’s 1990s-themed comedy Sandy Wexler (2017) and took on a scream-queen turn as Reese Knox in the 2023 indie slasher Kill Her Goats.
- On-screen favorites: Monica has called American Horror Story her go-to binge series—she swears the spooky plotlines spark creativity before photo shoots.
- Party circuit regular: From Hugh Hefner’s legendary Midsummer Night’s Dream soirée in 2015 to Maxim’s Halloween bash in 2017, she’s no stranger to themed costumes and camera flashes.
- Stats at a glance: 5 foot 8 (1.73 m) tall, roughly 52 kg, bright blue eyes, and naturally beach-blonde hair—though she isn’t shy about pastel dip-dyes for editorial shoots.
- Car lover: That first Mercedes sparked a passion; today she’s often spotted cruising Pacific Coast Highway in a classic cherry-red convertible, music up, rescue pup riding shotgun.
Family Life
Sims keeps relatives largely out of the spotlight, but public records show her mother’s maiden name is Molina, hinting at Mexican-American roots that she honors with family taco nights and Día de los Muertos altar posts. She has spoken in interviews about a supportive “tribe of strong women”—her mom, two aunts, and an older sister—who taught her resilience and body positivity long before social media turned those buzzwords trendy.
The model currently splits time between Los Angeles and Laguna Beach with her golden retriever, Brooks, and a pair of mischievous cats rescued during the 2020 wildfire season. While romance rumors occasionally swirl, she prefers to share partnerships only after they’ve weathered the “real-life test,” explaining that privacy keeps relationships authentic in an image-driven world.
Associated With
Monica’s Playmate class reads like a who’s-who of mid-2010s glamour: Kayla Rae Reid (Miss July 2015), Dominique Jane (Miss August 2015), and Dani Mathers (2015 Playmate of the Year) have all appeared alongside her at bowling-for-charity nights and brand photo calls. She credits much of her early confidence to late Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, writing in a heartfelt 2017 post that he “changed my life in ways I’ll spend forever grateful for.”
Beyond the Playboy universe, she has worked with swimwear label Frankies Bikinis, shot fitness features with photographer Josh Ryan, and swapped red-carpet jokes with comedians on the Sandy Wexler set—an experience that led to friendly mentorship from Adam Sandler, who encouraged her acting ambitions.
