PSE: Tell us about your childhood.
TT: I was born in New Orleans and grew up in the surrounding suburbs. I disliked being by myself and to this day I'm always happier when there are people around. As a child I loved dance and exercise -- in fact, I had a Disney Mousercise fitness video tape for kids which I worked out to religiously. But my biggest dream was to be a fly girl from In Living Color. I was too little to understand the comedy but when the fly girls would begin dancing I was right there dancing along in front of my TV. Over all I had the best experience growing up. My family has its quirky side -- like talking in movies and continuously making fun of one another -- but that's what makes us unique!
PSE: We understand you learned to scuba dive as a kid.
TT: My dad was a scuba diver so I wanted to dive because it was something we could share. I loved it so much that I began working at the local dive shop and took classes in wreck, deep, night and rescue diving. A the age of 12 I became a certified open water diver and have continued my education to become a master scuba diver -- when I do something I go all the way! I've dived in the Bahamas, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Hawaii, but my favorite dive was in Key West where we saw a 600-pound jewfish, a resident of a wrecked ship 110 feet underwater. My dream dive would be off the coast of Australia -- I hear there is so much to see that you never want to surface!
PSE: Were you a popular kid?
TT: I was always very social -- I made friends easily -- which made transitions like moving from a public school to a private Catholic school very easy. I wore glasses until the sixth grade and I remember my mom brought me to get my makeup done when I got my contacts. When I showed up at school at the end of the year with makeup and no glasses I definitely caught the boys' attention! But probably the greatest advantage of finally being pretty was getting A's in history class!
PSE: But you didn't choose history as your college major.
TT: No! Originally I began as a hospitality major, but I quickly realized that marketing appealed to my sense of creativity and interest in consumer behavior. The great thing with marketing is that it encompasses so many aspects of business, everything from product development to post-testing of final products and services -- it's a vital part of the economy. I see myself settling into the entertainment field, possibly in sports marketing -- I love football players! Being a former college cheerleader, the sports industry has always been an interest of mine. I would jump at the opportunity to work in that field.
PSE: Hurricane Katrina briefly interrupted your college experience. Describe your storm story.
TT: As many people know, it's a tradition in New Orleans to ride out the storm. Unfortunately, this was not the storm to ride out! We owned a home on Lake Ponchartrain but wisely decided to stay with a friend, whose home was eight miles inland. To be honest, I had a hurricane party and ended up sleeping through the worst of the storm, only to wake up hearing cracking noises and seeing trees slam against the home's exterior. After the storm passed we took chainsaws to cut a path down the road to escape. We discovered that our home on the lake was under six to eight feet of water -- a year and a half later it's still not fixed! -- and my school was so damaged that the 2005 fall semester was cancelled. The area around school still hasn't been rebuilt and it's quite depressing to drive to school every day and see cars still in the medians and homes sitting empty with FEMA's death count on each front door. But I feel honored to be a a citizen and proud to be a survivor -- events like this add to your character.
PSE: You've had to overcome some serious health issues, too.
TT: Yes, two years ago my lungs began collapsing spontaneously -- a condition called spontaneous pneumothorax. A hole developed in my lung and began to let air seep out, causing it to collapse, threatening my respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In December 2004 I had double lung surgery in which the most diseased parts of my lungs were removed along with my pleural lining. While the surgery was tough, I'm now able to live freely -- my lungs still get holes but they're not life threatening anymore. I know it's a cliché, but when you go through something like that you really do enjoy life more.
PSE: Why and when did you decide to do Playboy?
TT: My parents always knew it was something I wanted to do and fully supported my idea. I always checked Playboy's website to see when the casting calls were held, but it seemed I was always busy on those dates. Finally, the Cleveland Casting Call dates worked for me. I flew there from New Orleans with the idea that if nothing came of it at least I tried. Two weeks later I got a call telling me I was going to be a cover girl! I was in a class at the time, so I ran out and called my parents, my friends -- anyone who would answer the phone, actually! Everyone was so excited -- my friends even hosted a miniature Mansion party for me! It has been such an amazing opportunity and I am so proud to represent Playboy as a cover girl.
PSE: As it turns out, your photo shoot was the one at which our cover shoot contest winner, Barry Johnson, was present and you both got to go to the SE One Nite Stand party. How'd that go?
TT: Barry is my first official fan -- and he's such a nice guy! We still keep in touch, e-mailing back and forth weekly. Although I was exhausted from the shoot, I was very excited about the party. There was great music, great drinks, a great crowd and I met the most amazing girls. We ended up partying until 4 a.m. and my flight left at 7 a.m. Needless to say I didn't get any sleep -- but I had an amazing time!
PSE: Your merrymaking also included a stop at the Playboy Mansion. Describe your experience there.
TT: I was so excited when I received my invitation to the Halloween Party that I had it framed! I dressed up as an Eskimo -- but the costume had sailor accents so I'm not really sure what I was! When we pulled in front of the Mansion I couldn't believe my eyes -- it's so much bigger than I expected! The actual party was a blast -- the body-painted girls danced, Too Short rapped with Kendra Wilkinson at his side and celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Owen Wilson, Holly Madison, Pauly Shore, Lil John and many more were partying along side of me. I had previously met Bridget Marquardt in San Francisco so I chatted with her for a bit and she personally introduced me to Hef -- who is an amazingly nice man. And the highlight of highlights was the haunted house -- one of the scariest haunted houses I have ever been through! It was a great time!
PSE: Where would you like your modeling career to go?
TT: My dream is to make Playmate, but whatever happens I'll take full advantage of every opportunity that comes my way. I gain satisfaction from knowing that I went for something and got it. I want to continue to make great pictures, so guys, I need your support in order to keep taking my clothes off for Playboy!