Abbondanza!
Ordinarily, growing up in or near Hollywood leaves its mark on a person. Most folks end up with fantasies of upward mobility. But Patricia Farinelli has managed to avoid most of the glamour and pretension of Tinseltown: She leads a simple life and she likes it that way.
Besides, to Patti, Glitter City is just the old neighborhood—human, funky and livable. She’s street smart, that’s what you pick up in a metropolis like Los Angeles; but Patti could easily pass for a small-town girl. Not that she wouldn’t like a taste of the showbiz world; it’s just that it’s not that important to her.
Patti is not just an ordinary girl. Nature has given her a most extraordinary body and that has influenced her life. We’re talking about a girl who, until her junior year in high school, was known as Flatty Patti. There was just nothing there. Then, all of a sudden, she blossomed, going from famine to feast. Her new-found attractiveness played havoc with her life. She went from being unpopular to being the toast of her neighhorhood. And it was hard for her to tell who her friends were. At one time, she fell in with the proverbial bad crowd—in this case. a band of mobile marauders known as low riders for their chosen mode of transport: automobiles suspended mere inches above the ground. She didn’t hang around long. “So many times it almost came to bullets; that’s what convinced me I should leave.”
It also convinced her to come to terms with who she was; “I used to be embarrased about the size of my breasts. People used to make fun of me. But now I’m learning to be proud of the way I look. When I met my current boyfriend, I was the cashier at a local market. I had to wear a smock for the job and you couldn’t tell what was; under it. He used to come in and we would talk. Then he asked me for a date. Well, when he saw me without my smock for the first time, he was flabberggasted! It was my my eyes that had attracted him.
“It’s all nonsense, anyway; one guy likes legs, another guy likes boobs… you have to look at what’s inside a person. I’ve gotten to be a pretty good judge of character. Fortunately. Because here in Hollywood, you meet a lot of weirdos. You have to learn to look inside people.”
Photography by Ken Marcus
Can you give us an update? What’s happened in the last 16 years [1981-1997]?
Thank you! Well, I’m a mother for the first time. I have a two year old. I still go up to the Mansion, so I still keep in touch with people from Playboy. I just got back from a trip to Europe. Right now I’m Miss Suzy-homemaker.
How far would you go in the area of adult entertainment? (ie. Would you do anything more extreme than Playboy?)
No, I would not. Playboy is the furthest I would go. Playboy is the ultimate men’s magazine. You can’t get any better.
Have you been doing any modelling since your pictorial?
No. I have not done any modeling since my pictorial. For no particular reason.
Have you ever been in any movies?
An extra in Holy Moses [1980. Orgy Guest (uncredited)] with Dudly Moore. Two TV dating games back in the eighties. Also, I was just in the audience on the Price Is Right! I didn’t pursue that career. I sort of wish I had but I didn’t.
“I used to be embarrased about the size of my breasts. People used to make fun of me. But now I’m learning to be proud of the way I look.”
In your pictorial and in the Playmates book you talked about religion a lot. Do you find posing for Playboy to be consistent with your religious beliefs?
I’ve always had the Lord in my heart. So now if I were asked to pose in Playboy, I would say no because it would go against my beliefs. Sometimes you’re on fire for the Lord and sometimes you stray a little.
Your looks make you a natural to become a Playmate, but how did you decide to become one?
A friend of mine submitted a photograph of me without my knowledge. My friend called and said Playboy wanted to shoot me and I didn’t believe him. He gave me the number to call and it turned out to be true! Smiles.
Who are your friends among the Playmates?
Vicki Lassetter. She was Feb 1980 or 82 [Miss February 1981]. I keep in touch with her. Also, Debra Jo Fondren. Although I haven’t had the chance to speak with her lately.
Debra Jo Fondren, one of the Seventies most popular Playmates and 1978’s Playmate of the Year, continued doing promotions for Playboy until she became a born-again Christian. She has no regrets. “I wouldn’t be the person I am without Playboy.”
Did your friend get in trouble with you for submitting your photo without your permission? (I hope not!!)
Oh no! I just couldn’t beleive it when he told me.
Is Playboy planning to rerelease your video centerfold?
I have no idea. I was upset about the video actually, because they did not use my voice. They used Shannon Tweed’s voice. I guess they didn’t like my accent.
Do you spend much time on the net?
Yes, I do! I love it. I’ve been hanging out on Sony Online; Jeapordy and Wheel of Fortune. I used to hang out in chat rooms all the time, but I don’t do that as much now.
Besides the cyberchat, will you be doing any future Playboy promotions such as Glamourcon? (I hope so, I would love to meet you!)
I’ve been asked to. I’m not sure yet. I’ve been definitely thinking about.
“I never was a silicone girl.”
Patricia Farinelli, The Playmate Book, 1996
Do you have a fan club?
No, I don’t. You can write to me through Playmate Promotions, though.
Have you had a chance to check out the Cyber Club (outside of the Chat room) and if so what do you think about the Club?
No, I have not yet. But I plan on checking it out as soon as I can.
Debra Jo Fondren has become a born-again Christian, and she no longer appears on behalf of Playboy. Does your doing this chat show your still active in Playboy?
I’m not dead. I keep in touch and vice versa. I’m not active in Playboy and I’m not saying never…
Would you describe your typical day?
I get up at about 6:00 am, I get my boyfriend up and off to work. Then I wake up my son and we watch some TV. I then get him dressed and we go out around 11:00 and we go around and do different things. I also work one or two nights a week as a waitress. It sounds kind of boring…. Hopefully, I get to bed around eleven and then do the same thing again the next day. Oh yeah, I feed my rabbit every day too! Smiles.
“I’ve grown up a lot in the past few years. Your experiences do help you mature. For instance, sex a while back was not that great. As a matter of fact, I didn’t like it at all. I’ve come to realise it was probably because I wasn’t really in love. When you’re in love, both of your bodies become one. Sometimes, too, it’s enough for me to just do a little cuddling.”
You sorta answered this one but… Tad In the Playmate Book, you said you would probably be married soon. Have those wedding bells rung yet?
No, not yet. One day… I’ve never been married.
You mentioned that you did not persue any more modeling, what did you persue?
I pursued school for cosmotology and got my license. To be honest, my life was a big party for awhile. I used to go out dancing all the time, I used to be a jet setter. But I came back down to earth after a while.
Did you inherit your voluptuous figure from your Mom? Are there any other potential Playmates in your family?
Yes, I got my figure from my mother. No, no other Playmates in my family. I’m the only girl.
Do you have a homepage on the web? Or, are you involved with the Playmate alumni group and their webpage?
No, I haven’t done one yet. But I would love to learn how. I still have to send in my information regarding the Playmate Alumni Group, but I would love to be a part of it. It sounds like a really great thing.
What is your son’s name? Since you mentioned your rabbit, what is his/her name? Any other pets?
My son’s name is Joshua and my rabbit’s name, strangley enough, is Bunny. I had two Maltese’s named Playmate and Bunny. Bunny is still alive and she’s 10 years old.
Patricia, do you prefer guys with or without beards?
It depends on the guy wearing it. I think I prefer without actually. Do you have a beard?
“I wasn’t too happy with my pictorial because they emphasized my breasts so much in my opinion. I really liked them, but there was a few that I would have to say embarrassed me a little.”
What do you think of the photos in your pictorial? I think I recall your saying that you wanted to be able to show your grandchildren how good you looked when the pictorial was done, and the photos look great today compared to current Playmates!
I wasn’t too happy with them because they emphasized my breasts so much in my opinion. I really liked them, but there was a few that I would have to say embarrassed me a little. I would show my grandchildren the centerfold though.
Do you look forward to having more children? Do you enjoy being a full-time Mom?
But only if they ask me. I love being a mother. More than anything!!! It’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. But I don’t think I will have any more children. I believe one is enough.
How would you have done the pictorial differently?
For one thing, I would have had my hair down. I also would not have been in a library, I’m not really a library person at all. I would have focused more of pictures of me by the water, in the ocean, the real me. I’ve never worn my hair up, so I would have made the scenery fit ME a little better.
Patricia, what do you enjoy in the area of outdoor activities?
I like to bicycle, I like shopping (outdoor malls count don’t they?)… I go to the beach with my son. I’ve been trying to teach him how to swim.
What was your date with Burt Reynolds like?
Finally, someone asks!!! My date with Burt Reynolds started off with dinner, he had a couple of friends there. Afterwards he asked me to his place, and when we walked in the, his dog Bruiser, had left umm, ok, he pooped on the carpet. I was oblivious to everything, because I WAS OUT WITH BURT REYNOLDS!!! He was so experienced and I was so young. Another thing: I knew he had a toupe on and I had a fall (a hair extension) so I wouldn’t let him touch my hair and I wouldn’t touch his hair. It was an interesting night.
What is your favorite Soap?
I like All My Children. I like Gloria right now. Ericka bugs me right now.
What happened to the child you sponsored through the Christian Children’s Fund?
You know, I have no idea.
Did you read Playboy when you were growing up?
I looked at the magazine. In fact my mom used to have the centerfold of Mickey Garcia on the back of her door. I didn’t actually read it. I looked at the pictures.
My mom used to have the centerfold of Mickey Garcia on the back of her door.
“I guess I’ve been lucky all my life, I think God gives you as much as you can handle. He’s given me a wonderful family and a wonderful body.”
“For one thing, I would have had my hair down. I also would not have been in a library, I’m not really a library person at all. I would have focused more of pictures of me by the water, in the ocean, the real me. I’ve never worn my hair up, so I would have made the scenery fit ME a little better.”
Patricia, have you been to any High School reunions? if so what was the reaction like?
No high school reunions. I went to an all girl Catholic High School. Who would want to go to an all girl Catholic High School reunion???
How do you feel Playboy has changed since you were a Playmate?
The Playmates have gotten more beautiful! It has changed quite a bit. Back when I did it, the girls were more natural. Nowadays, it doensn’t seem to matter how you got there. However, I do think that it’s still a classy magazine.
Did you become friends with any other Playmates? Are you still in touch?
I’ve mentioned a few Playmates that I’ve become friends with. But I still keep in touch with Vicki Lassetter. She’s a beautiful girl from Texas.
Do you prefer being called Patricia, Patti or something else?
Good question! Nobody calls me Patricia, everyone calls me Patti. Thank you for asking.
Would you let you son know you were a Playmate when he’s older? And would you let him read Playboy when he’s old enough?
Yes, I will let him know I was a Playmate. I don’t know if he will want to read it, but if he chooses to read it, of course he can. Whatever my son wants to do, I would love for him to do.
“After my centerfold, to be honest with you, I was partying a lot. Now I’ve turned my whole life over to the Lord, and I’ve never been happier. I have a little boy, who’s a blessing from God, and a wonderful man in my life. We’ll probably be married within the year.”
Patricia Farinelli, The Playmate Book 1996
What did you think of the Playboy clubs?
I was only there a couple times. I thought the bunny costumes were cute. Too bad they didn’t last.
Do you collect anything or have any hobbies?
Joshua is my hobby!! Smiles. I don’t collect anything.
Are there any pictures of you in a bikini that we haven’t seen?
No, I don’t think there are any that you haven’t seen. There aren’t any recent pictures of me circulating.
It was great chatting with you. How can I get your autograph?
Thank you! You can write to Playboy Promotions at 9242 Beverly Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210 and I would love to send you my autograph! Thank you for asking, I’m very flattered!
Thanks for doing the chat, I hope to see you and get a picture at Glamourcon in L.A. in September 97. Thank you.
Maybe I’ll be there. I would love to see you there if I go. I love the Internet and being able to chat with you guys. I would love to come back some time to do this again. You all have been great. Hugs & kisses to you all!! God bless! Curtseys demurely.
sources
Playboy, “Abbondanza” Pictorial, Patricia Farinelli, Miss December, 1981.
1997 Live Cyber Chat transcript (Vintage Erotica Forums).
The Forbidden Book of Beauty 