The iconic appearance of Mia St. John on the Playboy magazine cover remains a noteworthy moment in both her career and in the world of modeling and entertainment. From being known as a talented boxer to transitioning into modeling, her actions back then certainly caught a lot of public attention. As she graced the cover of Playboy’s August 1999 issue, she received a lot of criticism from fans.

Mia St. John was well-known for her achievements in boxing as a world champion in the sport. Her combination of strength and beauty made her a unique figure in the boxing world. Years after her appearance, the former world champion recently revealed to EssentiallySports the true reason behind her decision.

Mia St. John reveals the process behind her appearance in the famous magazine

Recently, Mia St. John spoke with EssentiallySports, where she was asked about the time she appeared on men’s lifestyle and entertainment magazine Playboy. The boxing legend stated that it “was just a one-time thing.” Moreover, she added, “I was offered to do a pictorial by Hugh Hefner. And so Hugh Hefner and my promoter Bob Arum did like a co-promotion. So it was all very strategic, that we would plan it around a fight, I would come out on the cover.” She also revealed that originally she was not supposed to be on the cover of the magazine. However, she went to Hefner and told him, “look Latinas are just as beautiful as these blonde blue eyes, you always put in the cover. It’s about time you put a Latina in the cover.”

This led her to be the cover girl of the magazine two weeks later. However, she made it clear that her appearance was just for monetary gain. She stated, “But again it all boiled down to money. You pay me enough, and I got paid more than, I got paid more than I ever made on any fight. So it was definitely worth it for me. And I still do autograph signings for that Playboy.” It seems that the former champion made a lot of money from the deal without having to fight for it. Interestingly, She recently found one of her vintage magazines for sale in an antique store.

Her path from addiction to recovery

Back in 2014, the boxing legend endured heartbreak with the tragic suicide of her 24-year-old son, Julian. This heartbreaking event was followed by the passing of her ex-husband Kristoff St. John, an event that still brings tears to her eyes. Confronting these immense losses, St. John ended up once again taking to drinking, even though she had refrained from it for 30 years. Moreover, this even led to her getting hospitalized and sent to rehab.

However, this is also when she found a renewed sense of purpose. She has made it her life’s mission to spread awareness of the importance of mental health. The boxing legend also advocated for the prohibition of plastic bags in mental health facilities in California. Not only that, but she has also founded her own foundation that helps those suffering from mental illnesses, homelessness, and such issues.

Read More: “The Worst”: Mia St. John Slams California’s Mental Health Care Services While Providing Health Update on Daughter’s Recovery After Recent Episode (Exclusive)

Overall, even though St. John’s life has been filled with ups and downs, she rose up from such conditions and is now helping others rise up as well. What are your thoughts about her appearance on the Playboy magazine? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.

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