Q & A With Miss May 1989 Monique Noel
and Her Husband, Benny Ricardo

Dianne: Monique, as sister Playmates we both know the first thing fans want to know is how you were approached and became a Playmate.

Monique: At the time, I was dating a photographer. He kept insisting that I would make a great Playmate. I just laughed and went on with my modeling and acting. One day, he drove me to a "go-see" for a modeling job in Hollywood. After the interview, he pulled into a parking lot on Sunset and La Brea. There, Playboy photographer Richard Fegley and his wife, Mary Jo, were sitting in their SUV. Richard asked to see my portfolio and upon looking at it, asked me if I would like to shoot the next week. I let out a feeble "Yes," and the rest is history.

Benny: After we had begun dating, Monique gave me a big envelope, and in it was the May 1989 issue, and I had to pull over into a parking lot to see the Centerfold. I thought she looked fantastic and great. I now have to forever be ready for the "What is she doing with THAT guy?" -- I'm "that guy" now for the rest of my life. It's like God said, "The funny kicker has suffered enough, throw him a little See's candy."

Dianne: Tell us about some really fun and interesting promotions Playboy sent you on. Any exotic destinations, or work with celebrities?

Monique: One of the best wasn't a promotion but a show: Playboy's Girls of Rock & Roll. Our troupe of six women practiced song and dance numbers in Los Angeles for two weeks. Then we flew to Germany to perform at ten different U.S. Army bases throughout that country and Belgium. It was so much fun, a lot of work and a great way to see part of Europe. I had apple strudel for breakfast every morning and wore it off performing every night.

Benny: While Monique was in the show in Germany, I was the comedian for the Playboy's Girls of Rock & Roll show at Caesar's Tahoe with Simone Eden as the Playmate in the show. Monique and I still would not meet for another four years! It was quite an experience to punch in the number of the combination to the dressing room and walk into a room full of naked girls. I said to the naked girls in front of me, "I'm the comedian, please tell me I'm in the right room." And of course I was, but these girls were so busy switching costumes, they did not notice anything. I went out onstage and felt like doing the shortest set in history.