Our monthly search for a cover model usually begins with us checking out some of the e-mail and snail mail that we get, which mostly consists of readers' rides and model photos. Once we find a model we like, the next thing is to meet her in person. This is usually the final test. This month we received an e-mail from Sharon Sotto (October 2001 cover model). In the message she told us she knew of a cover model that would be perfect for Import Tuner, a girl who is just getting into the import scene. Then Sharon started describing her friend, saying how beautiful and perfect her body is. This sounded very interesting, and to hype things up even more Sharon attached three pictures of her friend to the e-mail. Upon opening the first one we surprised to see a little implied nudity with a topless (but covering up) bikini shot. Excited, we went on to the next shot, which displayed her incredibly cute Latino facial features. The third shot was even more revealing than the first, showing us her physical attributes in no uncertain terms. Meet Ms. Monica Silvestre.
2NR: You were born in East L.A. How was it growing up there?
MS: Actually, I wasn't raised there. My family moved to the San Fernando Valley so I lived there for a few years, then moved to Palmdale where I was raised for most of my life.
2NR: Did you say Palmdale? (To most import enthusiasts, Palmdale is known for its heat during the day, its cold at night and a track that mimics a desert terrain.)
MS: (Giggling) Yeah, I know I know everybody thinks it's tumbleweeds and sand. I lived on the west side of Palmdale, so I wasn't in the middle of nowhere,but it also wasn't a downtown like in L.A. I can't stand city life! Palmdale is a peaceful place.
2NR: Well, even the west side of Palmdale isn't much of a city, so what was it like growing up in the desert?
MS: I just recently moved out of Palmdale and live in Valencia now, but I consider Palmdale my home. In high school I had two very close friends, so we just hung out with all the different types of crowds. I never stuck to just one group of people, but more of a bunch of different people and my two friends. Before I moved we used to go to this place called Schooners. There's not really any clubs out there, so that's where we usually ended up hanging out at night. Personally, I love Palmdale because it's really quiet. To tell you the truth, when I eventually settle down and have kids I'm going to live in Palmdale; it's a good place to raise kids.
2NR: Since you just started modeling what else do you do to pay the bills?
MS: OK, where do I start? I live on my own now, so I have a normal job that gets the bills paid, but I also do professional makeup. I went to makeup school and now, when I'm not working at my regular job or modeling, I'm doing makeup for people. I'm currently going to beauty school so I can try and open my own day spa. I'm also licensed to be an X-ray technician/medical assistant, but I didn't pursue it as much and only did it for just a little bit.
2NR: How did you get started in modeling and how long have you been doing it?
MS: I haven't been modeling for long and import modeling is really new to me. I've done music video stuff, but my import modeling started with the "Island Eyes" calendar. I'm going to be in the 2003 "Island Eyes" calendar and in the Unity calendar. I just recently went to Hawaii with a lot of your other cover models, and that's how I met Sharon Sotto. I love her so much! That's how I ended up here. She told me that she was going to send my pictures to you guys. She's definitely really sweet, and I thank her for this because she really believed in me.
2NR: You said you've done music video stuff, too. Are these new videos we can see you in?
MS: I did one for IMX (formally known as Immature), another for Nelly, the "Hot In Here" video, and the newest one that I just finished is the Ludicris video. They aren't very big parts, but I got paid anyway.
2NR: Where can we see you in the videos?
MS: In the Nelly video I'm all over the place, but in the Ludicris video I don't know because I haven't seen it yet. It was fun, though.
2NR: You're doing videos, makeup, going to beauty school and have a regular job. Ever take a vacation?
MS: Yeah, my family goes camping a lot. I love outdoor stuff like camping.
2NR: That's an everyday thing in Palmdale isn't it?
MS: You wouldn't think that I'm the outdoors type of girl, but when I'm at home I don't dress up or any thing. I'm just all laid back. So when my family goes camping I get into it; I go fishing, sleep in tents--the whole camping thing. I'm feminine to a point but I'm also very tomboyish. The feminine side of me I get from my mom, but I have two younger brothers so that's the connection between the outdoor sports and me. They're also the reason I play soccer.
2NR: How is that?
MS: My dad plays soccer and my two younger brothers play soccer, so I guess it's in my blood to play soccer, too. I grew up playing it, I used to have to go watch it every weekend with my family. I played in high school and I still play every now and then.
2NR: Being a soccer fan, who were you going for in the World Cup?
MS: Oh my gosh, that was a hard one. Because I'm Mexican I was going for Mexico but they were eliminated, so I went with USA, but then they got eliminated, too. So I had to go for Brazil since they are so close to Mexico. (Laughs) When Brazil won I was still really excited. I even woke up at 3:00 a.m. just to watch the World Cup live. I love soccer!
2NR: What do you think is your best physical feature?
MS: I've got a bubble butt. It's the whole Latin thing, though. It's part of the deal of being a Latino girl, you have to have the hips and the butt thing going on.
2NR: Hey you do kind of have a J-Lo ass going on!
MS: It's a Latin thing! (Laughs)
2NR: You listed spontaneity and daredevils in your list of turn -ons. Give me an example of those two things on a date.
MS: The most spontaneous daredevil date I've been on was a long time ago because I've been with my boyfriend for four years now. This one guy took me bungee jumping on a date. He surprised me by not telling me where we were going and we ended up jumping off a tower about three-stories high. It was so fun that I ended up going a second time for free. I guess they have a rule, if it's your first time they make you jump facing forward but if you want a free jump then they will let you only if you jump backwards, so I did it.
2NR: Did your date jump, too?
MS: No. Well, he jumped the first time but he didn't jump the second time.
2NR: I guess you showed him huh?
MS: Yup!
2NR: Last two questions: Top or bottom? and real or fake?
MS: Top, and I'll let the readers decide on the last question.
Model: Monica Silvestre
Age: 25
Height: 5' 1"
Weight: 106 lb
DOB: 2/17/77
Birth Place: East L.A.
Nationality: Mexican
Measurements: 34C/24/35
Guy Turn-ons: A sense of humor, someone who can be my best friend, nice cologne, spontaneity, daredevils
Guy Turn-offs: Shy guys, guys who are dull and can't hold a conversation
Sports: I love playing soccer, I like to watch boxing and the Lakers
Ambitions: Open my own day spa in Palmdale and in Valencia.
Drop a Line @: www.monica-silva.com; www.islandeyes.com