Unforgettable
with Playboy Africa May 2025 cover star Cristal / @Cristalplayboy_official
Photographe Mike Cohen / @Mikecohenphotos
Tell us about the moment you found out you would be featured in the magazine. What was your initial reaction? Thank you for the invitation and this amazing experience. It’s a real honor to be on the cover of Playboy Africa It’s a real gift from God and a blessing. I thank all my fans because thanks to you I’m here. I never dreamt that one day I would be in Playboy, it’s a blessing. It’s like a fairy tale, how an ordinary girl from a small town in Poland, that had to overcome many hardships throughout her life, ends up on the cover of Playboy. My biggest dream has come true. The Playboy invitation has helped me believe in myself even more. It has given me a lot of hope and belief that everything is possible and the world is waiting for me. An unforgettable experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank you. The most beautiful things in my life always happen by accident. I remember the feeling of excitement when I received an invitation to the first Playboy. An unforgettable feeling, then came the next invitation from Playboy and now I can reveal that there will be more in the future and other magazines, interviews, my guest appearances in artists’ video clips. All this helped me believe in myself, in the fight against complexes, but above all, interacting and working with all these wonderful people photographers, models, and musicians created me as an artist and I decided to start my own perfume brand which is created entirely by me and the scents are inspired by my memories from traveling to my magical places and my cosmetic brand to leave some kind of legacy and be able to fulfill my dreams about a foundation supporting young talents and people with autism.
Can you share your favorite shot or spread from the magazine and why it holds special significance for you? My favorite photo is the cover of Playboy January South Africa. I opened this year of Playboy with this cover which is different than my previous one unusual for this type of magazine in a very glamorous fashion style. Many people congratulated me complimenting that I look like Marilyn Monroe on this cover. This cover of mine gave a different dimension to the magazine thanks to it other proposals of cooperation with prestigious magazines and more covers fell. It is a symbolic cover for me which has now grown into an icon. It is ironic that this question is asked in this magazine. Because I have the impression that this cover has opened me up to more possibilities. It is a cover for the country of South Africa and this Playboy is my next cover and a magazine for the entire continent representing all the countries of Africa. I am still very impressed. It is a great honor to represent Playboy Africa in the world without being from there.
Do you have a dream project or campaign you’d love to be a part of one day? For years I have had a great fondness for the Louis Vuitton brand, it is an icon of style for me. Just as my grandmother was once for me. She infected me with love for this brand, it is the story of my grandmother’s youth interwoven with war memories of her emigration and return to Poland with all her belongings locked in a Louis Vuitton trunk, which we found together in a dark corner of the basement as children. It has always been with me, later as a coffee table and a designer piece of equipment. I still have it today. The same story also applies to my perfumes, these are the scents of childhood, one of them I will recreate my grandmother’s favorite scent. The essence of omnipotence is locked in a retro bottle. It was my grandmother who told me that if I work hard, one day I will buy myself a Louis Vuitton bag. For years I have been a loyal collector of accessories of this brand, an ambassador and guest invited to special Louis Vuitton shows, I pose for photos with accessories of this brand, I even appeared on the cover of Playboy. I am currently focusing on my perfume brand „JustFetish by Joanne” In the future, l intend to continue designing home decoration accessories and interior design, which I have done before when decorating my hotels.
What’s your future goals? I dream of a happy family and achieving my goals. I want to establish a Foundation for children with Touret’s syndrome. It’s a cause close to my heart for certain reasons. My greatest dream is to complete a biography about my life. It was not a bed of roses with many tears and sacrifices. It will include my memories & motivate people to never give up and have faith the sun always comes after the storm.
How do you unwind and recharge after a busy day? I take an aromatic candlelight bath accompanied by my favorite classical music, Macha tea, it’s a real ritual for body and soul.
What’s on your travel bucket list? I’ve always wanted to go to the Bahamas and luckily I’m going there next week for a photo shoot for another magazine.
Would you rather be loved, respected, or admired? I’d rather to be respected. Because respect is one of the most needed attitudes that all people have. Even though you love or admire each other, what’s in this case if you don’t respect him/her as your partner? Respect is not all about being polite. Respect has many meanings or definitions like loyalty, acceptance, and discipline. Being respected is important to me I may not be perfect, but I am a human being with feelings and I deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Everyone deserves it.
What advice would you give to someone looking to follow in your footsteps? Be your natural self don’t try to change under the pressure of others. Even if stones land on your face every day, be strong and fight adversity, think positively. I am the best example that the impossible is possible. In moments of failure, don’t waste time analyzing your mistakes. They are your lesson for a better future. Take time to find a solution. Be brave and try hard. If you don’t try you won’t drink champagne. Stay strong and believe yourself and your dreams will come true.
What is the absolute worst thing a man can do to completely put you off? The worst thing you can do to offend me is to treat anyone without respect. If you only respect the wealthy it’s unsavoury and unacceptable to me. Men who decorate themselves in expensive methods are valued, but in fact they are selfish, false, disloyal, and disrespectful to women. Wealth comes from within it cannot be bought with any amount of money. To win my heart, be a caring, good-natured, loyal, individual. You will love me for who I am, my character not what l have or don’t have as a benefit for you. I only like the well-mannered gentleman who treats me like a lady and is old-fashioned with good manners. Thank you.
What is the most memorable date you’ve ever had? I think last week’s date, a private jet trip to Paris for a romantic dinner of my favorite oysters and snails overlooking the Eiffel Tower. It’s moments like these that make life worth living. I love spontaneous decisions and men who can show how much they care about you.
A lot of young women look up to you, what advice would you give them on pursuing their own dreams? One of the most important lessons I have learned in my life is: to be true to myself. This means not just in my personal life, but at work, too. Quite a few people have challenged me over the years, saying that you can’t run a business based on personal values. But I completely disagree. You need to identify the opportunity, act on it, and not give up until you have a solution. Try not to change under pressure from others be yourself be authentic and natural. My basic values are respect and loyalty. I treat others the way I would like to be treated. In my career, I’ve had lots of moments when I feel I’ve achieved something and also lots of other moments when something has gone wrong. I’ve learned that it helps to use neither to define who you can are or what you can achieve. There are days when you won’t put in much effort and everything good will fall in your lap. There are other days when you will try your hardest and nothing will go right. That’s just life. But it important is to always remember Failure is a natural part of learning and an opportunity to grow. As I mentioned earlier. Even if stones land on your face every day, be strong and fight adversity, think positively. I am the best example that the impossible is possible. In moments of failure, don’t waste time analyzing your mistakes. They are your lesson for a better future.
What message do you hope to convey through your work? As above before, by not judging people by their cover to support and help each other not to be jealous and selfish. Every day try to be the best version of yourself and treat others how you would like to be treated. Be your natural self don’t try to change under the pressure of others. Even if stones land on your face every day, be strong and fight adversity, think positively. I am the best example that the impossible is possible. Stay strong and believe yourself and your dreams will come true. Thank you for spending this time getting to know me. Always sending you Love & best wishes. Cristal xx
