As the old Hollywood myth goes, anyone can be discovered if they’re in the right place at the right time. The truth, however, is a much different story: being discovered is as common as snow blanketing the 10 freeway in July. But against such odds, actress and model Nikki Ziering was plucked from obscurity and became one of the most popular models in the world. The 5’9” blonde from Norwalk, California worked as a dental hygienist until she was discovered by a modeling scout during a routine dental visit. Ziering soon began appearing in catalogs for Carabella, Fredrick’s of Hollywood, and Venus Swimwear, and later became a spokeswoman for 24 Hour Fitness, Korbel and Coors. But Ziering got her biggest exposure in 1997 as Playboy’s Playmate of the month for September, and from there her career took off.
Ziering segued into television after her Playboy spread, appearing in small parts in episodes of “Mike Hammer, Private Eye” (Syndicated, 1997-98), “Silk Stalkings” (CBS, USA Network, 1991-99), “V.I.P.” (Syndicated, 1998-2002) and “Beverly Hills, 90210” (Fox, 1990-2000), where she met husband-to-be Ian Ziering (Ziering was later divorced after five years by her husband, who cited irreconcilable differences.) As her star continued to rise, Ziering looked for more stable employment. She landed a gig as one of Barker’s Beauties on the long-running game show, “The Price Is Right” (CBS, 1971- ). Though working consistently, Ziering wanted to grow as an actress and capitalize on what she felt was her underlying talent: comedy. She stayed on the show through the 2002 season while still appearing in small roles on television, and eventually films.
Despite a desire to break free from the constraints of being a sex object, Ziering continued along that very path. She made her movie debut in “Austin Powers: Goldmember (2002)” as a generic henchwoman, and in 2003, she played Officer Krystal, the stripper in “American Wedding” (2003). Ziering shot another spread for Playboy in 2003. In early 2004, she led an all-female football team in the “Lingerie Bowl”, a pay-per-view event shown during halftime of Super Bowl XXXVII. Though Ziering’s team won, most would be hard-pressed to know because of Janet Jackson’s bare breast. Next, Ziering was one of ten celebrities “I’m a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here” (ABC, 2002-03), a reality show best described as “Survivor” meets “Surreal Life”. Playing for A Special Wish Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to granting wishes to children with life-threatening disorders, Ziering was the fourth voted off the show. Ziering appeared yet again as the object of desire in “National Lampoon’s Gold Diggers” (2004), a raunchy black comedy that failed to attract the attention of moviegoers—a blessing in disguise, since no critic alive praised the movie. Meanwhile, in an attempt to break out of her sex object stereotype, Ziering commenced work on her own comedy show, though to date the project was in the early stages of development.