With readership of the magazine it represents in the millions worldwide, few images are as iconic as the Playboy Bunny.

Now, ISU students are getting their chance to pose for the shot to move from obscurity to celebrity, baring all in America’s popular gentleman’s magazine.

But no matter how exposed the women choose to be in the pages of Playboy, personal issues prohibit many from shedding inhibitions for local notoriety in their respective communities.

All this week, a crew from Playboy magazine will be in Ames as the final stop on its tour in preparation for the upcoming “Girls of the Big 12” issue set to run this October. Throughout the shooting stint, crew members said they are looking for “fresh, young co-ed females” to apply for the opportunity to be one of the coveted few for publication.

Playboy has recently stirred up questions in the news pertaining to the ideas of individuals participating in risque or adult entertainment activities in a professional, collegiate environment.

Kim Mizuno, photographer for Playboy magazine, said he hasn’t paid much attention to the controversy surrounding the sports conference tours, but rather welcomes it.

“Negative publicity is better than no publicity at all,” Mizuno said.

“We’re not recruiting the girls. We’re here for those who want to be in it. Keep in mind, girls go to school for a career and modeling is a full-time career. A lot of people don’t realize that.”

Such ideas, however, pose the question of how much a woman wants to reveal about herself when participating in adult entertainment in pursuit of a professional career. When Playboy last visited Iowa State, it was later revealed that models-elect Kelly Daniels and Nicole Jack used published names to retain a level of anonymity. Officials at the “Girls of the Big 12” casting call said many women who become models for Playboy take on published names, and the magazine even encourages the practice.

Linda Kenney, makeup, hair and wardrobe producer, facilitated the Playboy casting calls. Kenney said Playboy is currently the tamest form of adult entertainment compared to everything that is available on the Internet.

“College girls are different. They typically don’t want to be professional models. They’re just interested in Playboy as a once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing,” Kenney said.

One such Playboy hopeful refused to provide her name for publication because she had not yet informed her family of her going to the casting call. She said although the application process was fun, she was not looking forward to telling her family of her decision.

“I don’t think my parents understand. They probably wouldn’t think I was a classy girl anymore,” she said.

Nikki, a woman at the shoot who requested that her first name only be used, was told she was selected for the feature on the spot. Nikki said her parents were really excited about the opportunity, but the reason she wanted to remain anonymous was in the interest of her future career plans.

“My friends and family are all saying I should go do this. I’m just afraid I won’t get hired for some job in the future because of something like this,” she said.

Also supportive of and accompanying Nikki to her casting call was her boyfriend, who also wished to remain anonymous. He said he didn’t have any reservations about Nikki participating in the shoot, nor was he concerned about others’ opinions when the issue hits newsstands this October.

“It’s what she wants to do. I know she’s waited for the chance for a long time, and her family is really open and supportive of it,” he said.

The idea of posing nude for a national magazine while remaining secretive toward the local press is not necessarily a matter of hypocrisy. Local women following their own modeling aspirations requires that they render themselves vulnerable to the less desirable aspects of adult entertainment fare.

Rosemary Amore, junior in women’s studies and president of the Women’s Studies Club, said she sees both sides of the issues, but would be more willing to share her body on a more intimate basis.

Amore said she doesn’t understand why someone would want to pose nude in such a huge publication yet not be open with local media.

“I don’t understand that way of thinking. My body is more personal to me than I could tell anyone else,” Amore said.

Kenney said another reason for women wanting to remain anonymous is concern for their own well being. She said there are two separate issues for women: making themselves vulnerable to the public and potentially embarrassing themselves if not chosen for the shoot.

“The decision is not necessarily chosen out of insecurity. It’s smart on their part to think of their careers. But in all honesty, I don’t believe it will affect anyone’s career,” Kenney said.