Makayla Helliwell Striking Beauty

with Playboy Africa January 2024 cover star Makayla Helliwell / @makxxbby

Photographer Igor Malakhov / @igor_malakhov

Makeup & Hair Kseniya Bernkhardt / @kseniya_bern

Producer Valentina Gurova / @valentinagurova

Tell us something interesting about yourself people would not ordinarily know about you. I am from Spokane, Washington. It is a small town where Father’s Day comes from.

If you weren’t a model, what would you be? It might come as a surprise to some, but I’ve been doing mixed martial arts and jiujitsu for two years already, so, if not modeling, I might become a famous MMA fighter.

Who is your celeb crush? My celeb crush is a UFC Fighter Cody Garbrandt.

What is the one thing about yourself that you wish more people knew? I’m a single mom of three precious little boys, they are 5, 3, and 2. When I’m not busy modeling, I’m in full mommy mode: we spend most of our days having fun in the sun! However, I want to tell everyone having kids is not the reason to stop chasing your dreams. You’re a mother first and foremost, but you’re also you. Never forget that.

When you are not busy modeling, what is your favorite thing to do? I love surfing in LA and in Hawaii.

Which three words best describe you? Three words to describe myself are ambitious, passionate, and empathetic.

Were you excited to shoot this feature? I love anything to do with getting wet. Life is better when you’re wet. But seriously,I’m really excited to be a part of PLAYBOY family.

Do you have anyone special in your life? Tell us a bit more.I have three very special boys in my life, my three baby boys.

Where to from here? What are your plans for the future? The sky’s the limit! I’m working on getting into the Mansion, as well as being an established model, walking the runway. My other ambition is a screen in the Times Square. My constant commitment to my subscribers is to provide them with my intimate exclusive content in a magazine format.