Turns Ambition in to Action
with Playboy Africa June 2025 cover star Kate Black / @iamkateblackx
Photographer Glenn Wallace / @creative_instincts
PR House of Paradise / @houseofparadisellc
Location South Africa
Congratulations on your Playboy feature! How do you feel? I’ve always loved Playboy there’s something so iconic and glamorous about the women who’ve graced its pages. They own their bodies, their femininity, their sexuality it’s about sexual liberation and freedom of expression, and I’ve always admired that energy. This cover is definitely going up on my wall right next to my Harvard degree. I’m not sure what I’m more proud of though.
What is your best physical feature? Hmm… my brain, obviously. Although technically, that’s not a physical feature unless we count all the brainpower it takes to run my life (which I do). But if we’re talking body? It’s got to be my curves. I love clothes that show them off there’s just something about embracing your femininity which I love.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? Probably I don’t experience primary sexual attraction I’m what’s called a demisexual. I’ve genuinely never looked at someone and thought, “I need to have you right now.” It takes months for me to feel that way, because I need actual depth deeper than the ocean, in fact. For me, sex is an exchange of energy, so unless there’s an emotional bond, it just doesn’t happen. Most of my adult life has been spent in long-term relationships. I love being in love, and I love being in a relationship. But I’ve realized that I probably should experience life as a single woman, so I’m giving myself a whole year of it (until 2026). And since I don’t do casual I’m either all in, or I’m not in at all I’m actually celibate right now. Shocking, I know, considering all the ‘thirst traps’ I post online… but honestly, I like to think of my Instagram as not just a thirst trap but a historical record of how hot I was in my 30s. Oh, and I’m also a bit of a sapiosexual so you could be a 10/10 on looks, but if someone else can outdo you in math, well… I’ll probably be more interested in them.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? Honestly, I see myself living in California somewhere like Silicon Valley because I’m obsessed with technology and the future. I’d love to do an MBA at Stanford and join a tech startup something fun and a bit crazy. I’m just obsessed with California in general where else in the world can you ski in the mountains and surf at the beach on the same day? It’s such a vibe. That lifestyle is all about making waves and moving mountains every single day, and I love that. By then, I hope my LA-based swimwear brand has grown into something really exciting. I see myself living in some super futuristic house, cruising around in a self-driving car, and probably spending half my time in some virtual world. And who knows? Maybe I’ll have kids by then with some crazy tech guy. I’m definitely all for having kids later in life I want them to grow up in the future when life feels like a sci-fi movie. I honestly think I was born 10 years too early. I just think I’m meant to be a California girl like the Katy Perry song. And I love the USA in general the energy, the lifestyle, the opportunities… it’s all just some. Outside of modeling, what are some of your passions or projects you’re currently working on? Well, I have a bikini brand called L.A. Rush. It’s a Los Angeles-based sustainable bikini brand our fabric is made from regenerated nylon (basically trash pulled out of our oceans). I have always loved being in the ocean, and I’m a scuba diver. After seeing firsthand how polluted our oceans are, I figured why not turn ocean waste into something hot? Right now, I’m focused on creating timeless, well-fitted styles because trends come and go, but a bikini that fits you perfectly? That’s forever. I am all about promoting confidence and want women to feel their absolute best when in a bikini. I’m also playing with unisize fabrics because one size Should fit all, right? And I’ve been experimenting with tiny bikinis lately… you know, because less fabric = more sustainable, right? Jokes aside, being naked is probably the most sustainable option (like the cover of this magazine). However, wearing L.A. Rush is the next best sustainable choice.
Who inspires you the most, either in modeling or in life in general? Elon Musk. I just love that some crazy guy from South Africa is trying to colonize Mars and make humans a multi-planetary species he’s such a visionary. And let’s not forget Tesla is accelerating the transition to sustainable energy by building a complete ecosystem of electric vehicles, energy storage, and renewable energy solutions. He’s basically trying to save the planet and leave it at the same time. As you can probably tell, I’m really into sustainability. Honestly, he can send me if he likes men have always told me I live on another planet anyway. I wouldn’t describe myself as down to Earth… I like to say I’m down to Mars. Which is kind of ironic, considering I was once Miss Earth England. What message do you hope to send to women who see your feature? When I was 21, I probably looked the best I ever had in my life. I had youth on my side, glowing skin, not a wrinkle in sight, and yet, I was so incredibly insecure. I was literally representing England at Miss Global, standing alongside some of the most beautiful women in the world, and I still felt like an imposter. I didn’t embrace the moment; I ruined my own experience by getting in my own head. Now, at 30, I look back with so much disappointment. For me, confidence came with age you just give fewer f***s as you get older. Today, you can literally wake up and choose to be your most confident self, or not, and let your insecurities ruin it for you. Was I probably more beautiful at 21 than I am now? Maybe. But the confidence I carry now makes all the difference. So don’t wait. You’re not getting any younger, and you’ll look back at yourself in years to come thinking, “What the hell was wrong with me?!”.
How do you define confidence and sensuality in your own terms? Confidence is just knowing who you are and not being afraid to show it. Sensuality, for me, is about embracing your femininity your curves, your energy, and the way you move. I think it’s really important as a woman to not shy away from your softness or your body, but to lean into it. There’s nothing more powerful than a woman who’s totally at ease with herself.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned since entering the modeling industry? The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that people will always try to put you in a box. They’ll see you as one thing, and the minute you show a different side whether it’s intelligence, ambition, or a completely unexpected layer they won’t know how to handle it. People don’t like what they can’t categorize, and they won’t take you seriously if you don’t fit into the idea they’ve created about you. I recently read Mel Robbins’ book, and it really hit home that you can’t control what other people think. If someone has a perception of you, just let them. Don’t waste your energy trying to control how everyone sees you, because you’ll never win that game. People will judge you no matter what, so you might as well do exactly what you want. That’s how I see it: stop worrying about what people think just let them. If they don’t take you seriously because you’re multidimensional, that’s on them. I’m not here to fit into a mold; I’m here to break it.
Do you like taking vacations? Where is your favorite place you have been and where would you like to visit next? I love traveling. I shot these images in South Africa, and it honestly felt like I was in The Lion. King the landscapes, the wildlife, the atmosphere, it was unreal. I’m inspired by the world. I love seeing how different people live, learning about new cultures, and exploring places that feel completely different from home. I’ve been to over 50 countries so far, but I want to visit every single one. Next, I’d love to explore more of the Middle East. I’m fascinated by their culture, their traditions, and their way of life. There’s so much to experience. And it’s also my dream to visit Antarctica and go on a cruise through Drake’s Passage the roughest water in the world. It’s going to be a wild ride, and I’ll be there with a margarita in hand, just living my best life.
Besides modeling, what keeps you busy? Like I’ve mentioned, I have my bikini brand L.A. Rush, and I’m also starting a second business right now a matcha company called Mad Matcha (because I’m absolutely mad about matcha). I’ve always loved matcha the Japanese green tea—and I gave up coffee years ago and switched. It’s been such a game-changer for me. I have ADHD, and mine is so severe I sometimes think I’ve got AD4K! Matcha has been a lifesaver for me. It contains a compound called L-theanine, which helps with focus and staying calm, so it’s amazing for anyone with ADHD. It’s also helped clear my skin and lower my cortisol levels unlike coffee, which just sends you into a spiral of stress. I’m really passionate about wellness, so I’m excited to build something around that.
If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one accessory, what would it be? Probably ChatGPT because it’s basically my therapist and life coach, and most importantly (feeds my delusions haha). Who needs Wilson when you’ve got AI that can help you build a raft and manifest your dream life?
What’s next for you any goals, projects, or dreams you’re excited about? Right now, I’m living in the UK after moving back from America last year, but I really want to experience life in a different country again. I’m thinking of moving to Dubai because it’s so futuristic and cutting-edge. It’s a city where drones deliver your food, AI runs the metro, and you can literally order an ice bath for your house. It just feels like it’s 10 years ahead of everywhere else, and I love that. It feels like the right energy for my next chapter.
What advice would you give to aspiring models? I started in the beauty pageant world I was Miss Global England, Miss Supranational England, and Miss Earth England. I competed so many times to reach my goals, and I heard a lot of “no’s” along the way. Not winning the crown was a no. I also placed 1st runner-up several times, which was tough, but I always reminded myself: different judges, different days, different results. That’s the best advice I can give just keep going. Modeling is so subjective, and you can’t let rejection stop you. When your time has come, it’s come. What’s meant for you will never miss you. So trust the process and believe in yourself.
Thanks for taking the time to speak to us, do you have any last words for our readers and where can they find you? You can find me on Instagram just search Kate Black. My username is iamkateblackx you’ll find the historical record I spoke about earlier there. And if you don’t fancy being naked (yet) but still want to do your bit for the planet, you can shop my brand at larushswim.com like I said, it’s the second-best option after going naked. Oh, and if you fancy trying that green drink your friends say tastes like grass, you can shop at madmatcha.co.uk. And unfortunately for you all, I’m not on OnlyFans I’ve never been much of a fan of ventilation systems. I don’t need to do all that work to be hot and raise temperatures… thermodynamics is fun like that. And my last words?” Don’t take life too seriously none of us are getting out alive anyway”.
