Anna Nicole Smith unknowingly transformed the life of the woman Hugh Hefner once called his "most sexy model."Sandra Taylor, who made hearts race as a Playboy cover girl during the '90s, is now the head sommelier at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders.But long before then, her friendship with the 1993 Playmate of the Year changed the course of her life.Taylor recently appeared on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Kim Alexis' podcast, "Unexpired," where she reflected on her life and career.LARRY BIRKHEAD CELEBRATES DAUGHTER DANNIELYNN'S 20TH BIRTHDAY WITH RARE PHOTOSSandra Taylor attends the "Raising Helen" Los Angeles premiere arrivals at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California.
(WireImage)"I was friends with Anna Nicole Smith, and she was such a darling," Taylor recalled to Fox News Digital."We shared two makeup artists.
One was in New York, one was in LA.And they introduced us very, very early on to her coming here from Texas, and we became friends.
She needed a place to stay when she first came out here."Anna Nicole Smith in a publicity portrait for the movie "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult," 1994.(Getty Images)A visit to Smith on the set of "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult" changed the course of Taylor's career.
After Smith's makeup artist urged her to meet with Playboy during its 40th anniversary search, Smith encouraged her friend to go for it.The opportunity led Taylor to Playboy and launched a new chapter in her life.WATCH: SANDRA TAYLOR REVEALS HOW ANNA NICOLE SMITH LED HER TO PLAYBOY"It was my friendship with Anna Nicole Smith ...
it led me right there," said Taylor.Model Sandra Taylor attends the Playboy Magazine party honoring her on June 8, 1995, at Gauguin at the Plaza in New York City.(Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)"I never, in a million years growing up, thought I would ever be in Playboy," she said.
"It just seemed so out of the realm of reality.I was full speed ahead to be a mathematician just like my dad.
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