Jami Ferrell

Every new year needs a spectacular start, and in 1997 Playboy found the perfect one in Jami Ferrell. Born on 20 June 1974 in Muncie, Indiana, a college town in the heart of the Midwest, she grew up as a classic girl next door: friendly, down to earth and quietly gorgeous, with long blonde hair and striking green eyes.

That girl-next-door charm made her the ideal choice to open the year. Jami was named Playmate of the Month for January 1997, and her centrefold was such a success that it also ran in the German edition of Playboy the same month. For readers on both sides of the Atlantic, the cold winter suddenly felt a great deal warmer.

Her photos show exactly why. Jami has a soft, completely natural figure and a sensuality that never feels forced. She poses with a shy half-smile, as if surprised by her own boldness, then slowly lets the sheets or the lace slide away to reveal everything. It is the fantasy of the sweet Midwestern girl who turns out to be a lot more daring than anyone expected, and she plays it to perfection.

Playboy kept her busy after her centrefold debut. She appeared in a series of Playboy videos and Newsstand Special Editions, including the popular Voluptuous Vixens video released later in 1997, where her curves fitted the title beautifully. She also moved into acting, with a small part in the comedy Boat Trip and a larger role in the independent film It Is Fine. Everything Is Fine!

Jami remains a favourite among fans who love the classic, natural look of nineties Playboy: no attitude, no gimmicks, just a beautiful woman enjoying the camera's attention and giving it plenty to look at. This gallery is a chance to rediscover the January girl who made 1997 begin with a bang.

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