Editor’s note: Playboy Club creator Jeah Brandey, who also goes by Je, talks to Playboy about the city her heart loves most, her turn ons and turn offs, and why mental health matters to her so much.
Playboy: So to start us off, where were you born?
Jeah: Connecticut. I’m in Fairfield County, it’s a little bit closer to New York. Fairfield County is pretty cool. Beyond it being close to the city. I feel like we do have a lot of good stuff going on here.
And I hate to break it to you, but Connecticut is considered the pizza capital. I know, people from New York feel some sort of way, but we have some phenomenal pizza over here. I’ll say that and I’ll leave it at that.
Playboy: What’s your ideal slice of pizza look like?
Jeah: Don’t call me crazy, but my favorite combo is bacon and hot cherry peppers. Other than that, I don’t have a specific preference. Like whatever it is. I’ll eat it. But I seem like I always go to hot cherry peppers and bacon.
Playboy: What was the first thing you dreamed of achieving?
Jeah: My mom put me in a pageant when I was four and she reminds me of this every single chance she gets. She says when I went up on stage they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said, “A famous supermodel and a doctor.” I think that’s still my dream. Becoming a famous supermodel and—I don’t want to say doctor—but we’ll say, be well respected in the medical field. I’m studying to become a nurse.
Playboy: What is your favorite destination to travel to?
Jeah: New York! Call me cliche, but that’s my favorite destination of all time. New York is where it’s at. I could never get tired of going to New York truthfully.
Playboy: What’s your favorite thing about New York?
Jeah: The atmosphere… just the intensity of it. Every time I step off the train, you see people moving around. Nobody’s really wasting time. Everybody’s on the go they’re ready to kind of conquer the city for however long they’re there.
That’s the best part about going to the city: everybody’s doing their own thing.
Playboy: What are you passionate about?
Jeah: Definitely passionate about mental health. I take that very very seriously. I grew up in a Caribbean household, so mental health was not considered a real issue or problem or medical condition. I really don’t take that lightly when it comes to me, my siblings, my friends…anybody.
I definitely try to use a lot of healthy coping mechanisms when it comes to addressing whatever is bothering me.
Besides mental health another thing that I am really passionate about is health and wellness. I just started my fitness journey again, taking care of myself, taking care of my body. Not just what I put in my body, but how I honor her. How I take care of her.
Playboy: Any self care tips you’d like to share?
Jeah: When you get out of the shower, don’t completely dry off. If you want glowy skin just pat dry yourself dry, and put on your favorite body oil or fragrance. The fragrance will last for longer because the water absorbs it.
Number two: brush your teeth before you go to any event. Brush your teeth and floss before you leave the house anytime you leave the house brush your teeth. Oh! And invest in a journal.
Playboy: What is a talent you wish you had?
Jeah: I’ve been thinking about this for the past week. I wish I was good at gymnastics. I think that shit is so cool. To just do backflips whenever you feel. That’s just so powerful. You can literally fly over my head! I think that would be so dope.
Playboy: What turns you on?
Jeah: Consideration. Consideration is a huge one for me. If we’re seeing each other, and you were listening, and I was yapping about something and then next time you see me you bring it up in conversation…I just think that’s so sweet.
This guy that I’m currently seeing, he’s very considerate of things that I say. Little things…I like ice cold water. Chef’s kiss. So anytime I go over to his place, he’ll have ice cold water waiting for me. I think that’s freaking sweet.
Playboy: What are your turn offs?
Jeah: Arrogance. I definitely love an individual who’s confident. But when it starts to get to a point where you start making your own head a little bit bigger than it needs to be.
I don’t find inconsistency attractive. I could be seeing somebody and the conversation could be going great. And then I don’t hear from them for an extended period of time. Then they pop back up on the radar, as if nothing ever happened. I don’t do well with inconsistency.
Playboy: is there a meme tweet or a viral video that speaks to?
Jeah: MC Debra. She was leaving one of the balls and she goes “Shout out to everybody. I had fun.” And she walks away. And she’s blowing into her hand. She’s mixing it up and letting it be known that she was here, blowing it to the rest of the folks, and making her exit.
That’s definitely a meme I constantly think of. Every single time I’ve had a great time any place, but I’m ready to go…I have to let it be known that I was here. Shout out, everybody! That was fun. Do my little hand gestures, and I’m out.
Playboy: What’s your favorite thing to splurge on?
Jeah: That’s a lot of things. Every time I get paid…I’m getting me a nice meal. I don’t care. Getting me a good, maybe three or four course meal. That’s my thing.
Playboy: As far as that goes, what’s the meal that you’re going to treat yourself to? What are your go-to’s?
Jeah: Sushi, for one. Anything with spicy salmon or spicy tuna. There’s this one place out in Southbury and they have this mango roll. It’s a very thinly sliced mango wrapped around a typical roll, and then they put this spicy mango sauce on it. So fire, so fire.
Playboy: What possession do you treasure most?
Jeah: I don’t really have anything that I treasure most. Once I let go of something, I really let go of it. But I honor the time I’ve spent with it, whatever the case may be. And I’ll just give it away. Even if it does have sentimental value.
Playboy: What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Jeah: When you’re doing something in life, whatever it may be—dreams, goals, anything—do it scared.
I find myself fighting self-sabotage constantly, but then I have to realize if this is something that I want, why not try it at least? I’ve been doing a lot of things scared, and the outcome has always been so good.
Jeah is on The Playboy Club. Talk to her now.
