Q&A with Sixers Dancer Melanie

Sixers Dancer Melanie was one of 10 NBA Dancers chosen to be featured in the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which hit newsstands yesterday. Sixers.com caught up with Melanie to discuss this once in a lifetime experience. View Melanie's Sports Illustrated page

How were you selected to be one of 10 NBA Dancers featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition?
I found out when I got a call back in May. The season had been over and we were done with playoffs. I said, Absolutely! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was really excited. I thought it was too good to be true for a while.

Did the Sixers nominate you or were you selected just by SI?
I was specifically chosen. It was surreal. I asked if they were sure they had the right girl because that’s something that doesn’t happen all the time.

How were the outfits chosen for the shoot?
From what I understand, SI picked ten designers and various swimsuit designers and gave them our team colors. They didn’t take any of our measurements or anything and they didn’t know which girl was getting their suit. Mine was the glitziest out of all of them. I was so shocked. It had a ton of jewels and rhinestones. All the girls were envious of the “bling” on my suit! They had a seamstress on hand for any alterations.

Tell me a little bit about the photo shoot.
I had some time to prepare for the photo shoot. It was in mid September in New York. Sports Illustrated had everyone either fly in or drive in to get to New York. It was a two or three day trip for most of us. The shoot went from 8 in the morning until ten or eleven at night. It was a long shoot, but it was so exciting. All the girls who I met from the various teams were incredible girls and we just had a great time together. It was something out of a movie. Most of us only dance and don’t model, so being pampered was something new. It was really exciting.

What made this photo shoot special?
We had first class treatment! Our make-up artists and hairstylists where the same people who work on movie stars. I got to meet the editors of Sports Illustrated and the editor of the Swimsuit Edition.

Do you still keep in touch with the other girls from the shoot?
Yes, we still keep in touch, still email each other, and keep in touch through text messaging. We tell each other that if we’re ever in one another’s city to stop by. It’s really neat. We all get along really well because we have that common bond that we all had such a magical day.

What did your friends and family think?
They were so excited. My parents have been counting down the days until the magazine comes out. My boyfriend has been a huge support. He was actually able to come up to the shoot with me.

How did it feel – representing the Sixers sin such a prestigious magazine?
It was unbelievable. This is my fourth year on the team. I feel that I represent the team at every game and every appearance to the fullest of my ability. Philly is my hometown so to be able to go to New York to be our representative with the 9 other top NBA teams - it was pretty neat.

Any last thoughts?
It was so surreal. The whole day I couldn’t believe I was there. The experience was something that I will never ever forget. I have my suit already framed!

Fans can meet Melanie as part of “Guys Night Out” Packages by purchasing tickets here.