Crushing on Carmen

From fashion to music and even home décor, 30 years later, the 90s are coming in hot. And you would be hard-pressed to meet a Gen Xer who isn’t clued in on the ladies of the 90s who helped start that fire, including Carmen Electra, who was selected by Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS for a 2023 swimwear campaign, alongside Jenny McCarthy, another famed 90s beauty. And it’s no wonder — the duo epitomizes 90s nostalgia.

The alternative music movement decade is also the center of attention in Netflix’s spinoff series “That ‘90s Show,” which features an Electra cameo appearance in season 2, showcasing her sex appeal and vivacity. “Literally, I was having a fitting the other day and I had worn that outfit — like, it was the same shirt vibe and the same skirt vibe,” Electra shared about the run-ins she still has with the momentous decade, on- and off-set. “I had a couple of these outfits [in the 90s] and I’d wear those almost every day.”

And after more than 20 years since the series ended, “Baywatch” has been bouncing back into the conversation, most recently with the August 2024 release of the docuseries “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun.” “You will hear some of the most amazing stories and a lot of behind-the-scenes,” Electra said. “There’s a lot in it that I don’t think anyone would even know about.”

Knocking on Hollywood’s Door

Electra, then Tara Patrick, first stepped into the Hollywood spotlight when megastar Prince took her under his wing, redefining her image, bringing her on as an opening act on his Diamonds and Pearls Tour, and producing her first music album in 1993 under Paisley Park Records.

Drawing lessons from the “Purple Rain” star’s sense of style, Electra developed a flirtatious fashion sense, wearing “super sexy, shiny, tight” outfits, bold hot pants, showstopping gowns, cut-out tops and dresses, along with fanciful footwear to complete the look. “Being there, experiencing that for four-plus years, was really my lifestyle. And I think that once I started to make it on my own, which was still in my 20s, I would still wear these costumes that I would perform in, or do a show, or dance,” she explained. “It wasn’t even for shock value. I really lived that moment.”

It wasn’t long before Electra captivated Playboy readers worldwide with her sultry stare in simmering stripped-down snapshots, ultimately gracing the cover nearly 50 times internationally.

Electra rode the wave of her sex symbol status — a term she embraces — appearing as lifeguard Lani McKenzie on the megahit television series “Baywatch,” while simultaneously hosting MTV’s “Singled Out,” a cheeky dating show featuring 50 available contestants vying for the affection of a single head turner. “That was like college for me,” Electra said with a laugh. “I didn’t go to college, so I went to MTV. It was awesome.”

Stepping out of the 90s and into the new millennium, Electra starred in several parody films, including her role as Drew Decker in “Scary Movie,” a box-office hit despite mixed reviews by critics. And it didn’t end there. She was a guest judge on popular reality TV shows like “So You Think You Can Dance”; danced with the Pussycat Dolls; starred in WB’s “Summerland”; was featured in Bloodhound Gang’s music video “The Inevitable Return of the Great White Dope”; released her own music video “Werq”; and considerably more.

Temptuous Tattoo Talk

Unlike the screentime inked individuals get today, in the 90s, there was an “image” for studios to maintain, and, for the most part, that didn’t include tattoos. And while her skin is nearly devoid of body art, Electra said, “If I was a completely different person, with my soul I would have been completely inked: my stomach, I would have had sleeves,” she said, emphasizing, “I would have been completely inked.”

Although not a requirement for romantic interests, Electra has a history with tattooed gents, including marriages to inked icons Dennis Rodman and Dave Navarro. “I wouldn’t ever date someone based on if they have tattoos or not, but it’s definitely been an attraction for me throughout the years, for sure.”

Electra shared her fondness of lip, head, and face tattoos, and Old English and “gangster” fonts. “I love art in general. So, when people express their art on their body, it says a lot and it’s part of your history.”

While her nuptials with Chicago Bulls basketball star Rodman were brief, her marriage to Jane’s Addiction guitarist and “Ink Master” host and judge, Navarro, left a permanent imprint in the form of a tattoo on her left wrist commemorating their wedding date: November 22.

“I gave up my ink virginity to Mark,” Electra said, laughing, referring to renowned tattoo artist and founder of the Shamrock Social Club Mark Mahoney. Opting for a script-type font for “Eleven” and the Roman numeral “XXII,” the aesthetic she was looking for was “kind of gangster” and “still kind of delicate.” “He did a perfect job.”

The 90s influence is persistent, resurfacing on the big screen, streaming on our music platforms, and influencing wardrobes worldwide, and as you revisit that era of cultural shifts, Electra’s tenacity and influence have electrifying staying power.