In 1993, Silvstedt appeared in "Girls of Northern Europe" (Bishiõjo-kikõ), in which she was photographed in full frontal nudity three years before appearing in Playboy in 1996. After being approached by Hugh Hefner, she appeared as a centerfold in the December 1996 issue of Playboy and was subsequently named Playmate of the Year in 1997. As a European, not being aware of the wider distribution and publicity effect of Playboy, she suddenly broke into the North American market. She has been featured in countless magazines, including GQ, Maxim, FHM, Gear and Nuts, where in 2005 she came second to actress Jennifer Ellison in a competition to find the Sexiest Blonde in the World. 
