From Playboy to Real Estate: How Faith Guides Her Next Move
Kendra Wilkinson has transitioned from her reality TV fame to a budding career in real estate, reflecting on her journey and personal evolution. Her new role gives her purpose and independence beyond the persona she crafted as a “Playboy girl.” Now at the age of 40, Wilkinson has distanced herself from the fame that once defined her.
Faith and Career Transition
Wilkinson, who gained notoriety as a girlfriend of Hugh Hefner in “The Girls Next Door” from 2005 to 2009, now prefers to call herself a working mom. She balances her time as a full-time real estate agent at Ernie Carswell & Associates, part of Sotheby’s International Realty in Los Angeles. This career choice marks a stark contrast to her past. It’s a realm she says does not involve sacrificing her integrity for monetary gain.
Life After Reality TV
- Had a public life starting at 19.
- Spent five years living in the Playboy Mansion.
- Juggles raising two kids: Hank, 16, and Alijah, 11.
Wilkinson’s transition into real estate reflects a deeper sense of success than what she experienced in her earlier career. She describes selling properties, including a $700,000 condo, as moments that validate her hard work and skills. “Every deal that I close feels like proof of my evolution,” she states.
Redefining Identity
Wilkinson acknowledges the pressure to stay relevant in the public eye after her divorce from Hank Baskett, which was finalized in 2019. She faced a challenging phase of mental health issues, prompting her to seek help and reconnect with her faith. Wilkinson emphasizes the importance of her mental well-being and how it has shaped her current life philosophy.
Finding Purpose Through Faith
Through Bible studies with nurturing women, she learned to simplify her life and prioritize mental health. This faith-based approach transformed her outlook, enabling her to appreciate her reality beyond fame. “I’ve learned to live a simpler, more peaceful life with God in it,” Wilkinson explains.
New Beginnings and Personal Growth
- Exploring her identity beyond a “sex symbol.”
- Values professional acknowledgment over superficial attractiveness.
- Encourages her children to seek stability and education instead of fame.
Wilkinson speaks candidly about the disconnect she experiences from her former image. She finds it frustrating when people associate her success with her past rather than her current endeavors as a realtor. The evolution of her identity has brought her a newfound sense of freedom. “I get to just be who I really am,” she asserts.
Conclusion: Lessons Learned
As a mother, Wilkinson is concerned about her children’s fascination with fame. She highlights the loneliness and challenges associated with celebrity status. Her journey serves as a reminder that without careful navigation, fame can lead to destructive outcomes.
In her words, “Hollywood can really eat you up and spit you out.” With her faith guiding her next move in real estate, Kendra Wilkinson embraces the future with confidence and resilience.