Helena Antonaccio, Miss June 1969

Main Performance Interview           
by MPM Staff

We at Main Performance magazine had the privilege of sitting down with and talking to Miss Helena Antonaccio, Playboy magazine's Miss June 1969. In addition to her busy modeling career and doing all sorts of promotional work all over the country, Helena has just completed her very first book! So, without any further delay, let's find out all about this uniquely talented and beautiful lady!

Main Performance Magazine: Helena, recently you were chosen as one of Playboy magazine's all time favorite Playmates! Can you tell us all about that and what your reaction was upon hearing this amazing news!

Helena Antonaccio: Well, I was voted one of the 25 Fan Favorite Centerfolds for the edition of Playboy's Sexiest Playmates! I was told in Chicago at Glamourcon (a convention of models, Playmates and actresses) by one of Playboy magazine's staff members. Needless to say, I was shocked! I never thought to be voted anything like that. And of course, I was very honored!

MPM: We've seen the pictures from your June 1969 pictorial, but seeing you in person 30 years later, it is obvious you are more beautiful than ever! What's your secret?

Helena: Thank you for the compliments! My secret, as you call it, is really living the healthy lifestyle as I have been doing most of my adult life. I am very interested in health and the effects of foods on the body. Most people know about the basic food groups, but now also know the importance of the purity of our foods. I make sure the chicken and meats I eat are free range and also free of antibiotics and hormones. That includes the milk, butter and cheese products that I buy. I stay away from genetically engineered foods that may have negative effects on a person's health. These GM foods have decreased nutritional value. Even though the preservatives in them may make them look fresh, they may actually be weeks old! So, although the tomato you are looking at may be beautifully preserved, its nutrients may be long gone!

As you can see, I take my nutrition very seriously. Skin care is also very important to me and I exercise every day, take vitamins and enzyme supplements as well as living a very healthy lifestyle. Having a positive attitude, a sense of humor and a love of nature all can help anyone look their best, no matter what their age!

MPM: We've seen first hand at Glamourcons and other Playboy promotional events how amazingly popular you are with fans of all ages. Why do you suppose you have such appeal for generations of fans?

Helena: I really don't know the answer to that question! Maybe it's because I don't care how old I am and it doesn't concern me to act my age. At the trade shows I like to mingle with all age groups, and even like to sit with the newer Playboy playmates and meet their fans and introduce myself to them. And, I have members in my web site fan club whose age ranges from 23 to 68!

MPM: I know you do promotional work for Playboy all over the country. Anything exciting ever happen at one of those events that you'd like to share with our readers?

Helena: Actually, I didn't start doing any promotional work for Playboy until 1996! Mr. Hefner thought I was too shy originally when I posed in 1969 and I wasn't sent out on any promotions! After doing the Glamourcon shows in 1996, and being seen there by a member of Playboy's staff, I was asked to help launch the Playboy Playmate book They asked 2 Playmates from each decade to help represent the book. I was paired with DeDe Lind, from 1967, for the sixties decade. Playboy treated us all VERY WELL for this 3 day event held in Manhattan. We stayed at the Plaza hotel, had our hair and makeup done for us, and received a ton of publicity for the event! At the Hard Rock Café in Manhattan, we held an autograph party for military veterans. All the Playmates sat and autographed Playmate books for the veterans. In line for an autograph was actor Robert Woods, a Vietnam veteran who played Bo on the soap opera "One Life To Live". I had watched him for years on that show! Now, there he was looking down at me and asking ME to sign his Playmate book! That was really cool! Of course, I acted like I wasn't very impressed, even though I really was!

MPM: You were one of the Playboy Playmates chosen to introduce the new Play Station 2 Playboy Mansion game! Can you tell us about it?

Helena: I, along with several other Playmates, was asked if I would like to be represented in the Play Station 2 Playboy Mansion game. I thought about it and said to myself, "why not?" I know some of the other Playmates thought they should not just give their image away, but I liked the idea of being animated and being in the game! We, the Playmates used in the game, are supposed to be shown exactly like we looked when we first appeared in Playboy. I can't wait to see it! And, I hope to attend its launching party!

MPM: Unfortunately, over the years, Playboy has had its share of detractors. As someone who has spent most of their adult life associated with Playboy, how would you characterize your Playboy experience?

Helena: Playboy has ALWAYS been good to me. I don't have anything to complain about There are so many Playboy Playmates and for me'. just to be noticed or mentioned from time to time in the Playmate News section of Playboy magazine is an extreme honor.

MPM: We understand you've just completed your 1st book! Tell us what it is all about and what motivated you to write it?

Helena: My book is about health and secrets of antiageing. Writing "My Secrets to Ageless Beauty" was inspired by the constant questions coming from pin up fans at conventions, as well as people I meet every day. I'm always asked, "what's your secret in looking as amazing as ?you do, even though you are over 50?" I've never had any plastic surgery done and I want to show that it is possible to maintain your looks thru a healthy lifestyle. In my book, I discuss anti-ageing foods, skin care, vitamin supplements and even demonstrate exercises that will help give you a great body! It even contains "now and then" photos as well! I hope to inspire people to take charge of their bodies with the power they have inside them. I had originally titled the book, "What's Your Secret?" but changed the title at the suggestion of a literary agent who said my original title sounded too much like a novel!

MPM: You have a wonderful website for your fans and you are also involved with several internet fan clubs. Can you tell us all about them?

Helena: I LOVE my website (http://www.helenaantonaccio.com/) because I am the web master and it is my expression and my thoughts not someone who I pay to update the site with their own ideas. I originally had a web master who taught me what to do and now I am on my own! In the beginning, I actually took my members credit card numbers via Email and processed them all myself and did the passwords and everything! Now, of course, I have a secure credit card processor, which is much easier and safer for the customer along with an automatic password system. I work with a wonderful photographer, Rama, who I trust to make me look good in photos for updates for the member's section. My members are the BEST! Some have been with me since way back in 1999! The generosity of some of my fans is truly amazing. I receive gifts on my birthday, Christmas and Valentine's Day! I have both men and women members and they are all truly lovely! My involvement with the internet fan clubs has really been a lot of fun! I belong to the PFL lounge (Playmates Forever Lounge) http://Www.pf1forums.com where I can express my opinions along with many other Playboy Playmates. The moderator of this club really went all out and I think he did a GREAT job on this site. It is really lots of fun! There are other fan clubs devoted to me, started by my fans in Yahoo groups. It is so interesting to interact with fans from all over the world including many of our servicemen overseas.

MPM: So, what does the future hold for Playboy's Miss June 1969?

Helena: I see myself, hopefully, working in the nutritional field. I would love to be a spokes model for skin care for women in their 50's or maybe a model for women over the age of 50. 1 would like to show that body, at any age, can still be maintained in great shape, or maybe be a spokesperson for organic or natural food products. Baby Boomers, like myself, are very popular in advertising right now and I would like to capitalize on that. I'm hoping my book will be published very soon and am now in the process of writing another book, which is based on some of my happy, early childhood memories.

MPM: Helena, on behalf of all of our readers, thank you for taking the time to sit down and talk with us. We wish you nothing but the best in the future!

Helena: Thank you! This was lots of fun and I hope your readers will visit my website and hopefully, watch for my book in the very near future!