Bahara Golestani

Remember the old Cracker Jack snacks? You know, the ones with the "toy surprise inside"? How awesome were they? You had a popcorn-slash-peanut treat and hidden treasure, all in one box. I mean sure, you'd usually end up with some lame trinket like a plastic figurine or stick-on tattoo. But every once in a while, you'd get something cool and semi-useful like a whistle, scissors, or magnifying glass (sun-toasted ants, anyone?).

Model searches are like Cracker Jacks. You'll get girls of all ethnicities, heights and sizes and you really never know what to expect. And like sifting through a caramel-y box in search of your prize, it's the anticipation of the unknown that makes it exciting . . . which is exactly what happened at our cover casting call at SpoCom. Fifty-plus models came through and second to last was this beauty before you: Bahara Golestani.

Residing in Scottsdale, AZ, by way of Moscow, Russia, this Persian princess has been making her way through the HIN scene. With music videos under her belt, and a role in an upcoming movie starring Luke Wilson, you can bet you're going to be seeing much more of Miss Bahara.

I think the first time I ever saw you was on our website. You put your pics on our forums, making one of the most viewed posts, ever. What made you decide to do it?

I love Import Tuner and I thought to myself, 'you never know, maybe they will decide to shoot you for the cover and give you a call.' But then I didn't hear from you guys! [laughs] But hey, here I am, two years later-thanks to you!

And thanks to SpoCom. How did you get into modeling?

Honestly, modeling found me. I never had the confidence to model, so I never really gave it much thought. I actually wanted to be an actress, and growing up, I performed in a lot of school plays. When I was 16, I met a photographer who said that I had a lot of potential. I had my first photoshoot and it was so much fun. From there, modeling just sort of took off and I never stopped.

How did the import scene come about?

I've always loved import cars so I'd just go to car shows. I was at an HIN show in Arizona, and one of the model coordinators offered me a position as one of the HIN tour models. I was so excited! I got to travel with the crew to almost every city in the U.S. and I even took the title of Miss HIN North Carolina!

What's your favorite part of a car show?

I've been to so many shows and they're all fun! What is there not to like-hot cars and hot models!

Have you done any modeling outside of our scene?

I've done lots of fun stuff! I was in the Gym Class Heroes music video Cookie Jar and I'm doing runway for Ed Hardy, to name a few. I'm also in an upcoming film starring Luke Wilson.

You have an uber-exotic look, what ethnicity are you?

I'm 100-percent Persian, baby!

I have a burning Persian-related question: flying carpets, where the hell did that come from?

You know, I'm not even sure . . . but I don't even think that's Persian. That's more Arabic, like Aladdin.

OK, another Persian-related question: I love hummus. Especially with pita bread. What the hell is it made out of?

Yummy! I love that stuff too, but I honestly don't know what it's made of. Maybe cream cheese? Butter? Or yogurt? Hmm, you got me thinking now . . .

Can you cook?

Hell yeah!

Like what?

Eggs. I love eggs!

Dude. Eggs is so not cooking. Omelets maybe. Did you grow up in the States?

Kind of, I've lived here for the past 10 years. I grew up in Moscow, Russia before.

What did your parents do over in Russia and why did they decide to move here to the good ol' US of A?

My dad is a musician and my mom was an actress. One of the main reasons for the move was because my mom was sick. She needed heart surgery so we moved to the U.S.

Can you speak Russian?

Yep.

Funny, that's the same one I use in the U.S. Glad to see globalization has permeated the dating scene. How awkward was it growing up in Arizona as a Persian F.O.B. that could only speak Russian?

I had a really hard time at first because I didn't speak any English, and since I didn't know anyone, it took some time to make friends. But I eventually did and that's what America is all about. They accept you and treat you equally no matter what color you are!

Suggested summer reading: Uncle Tom's Cabin. What was your worst lost in translation moment?

Every one of them! It sucks when you can't communicate with people!

That's what body language is for! What kind of girl were you in high school?

I was in band. I played the Violin and was in theater.

Are band geeks hot?

They can be!

Besides a big trombone, what do you look for in a guy?

Someone who's loyal, honest, caring, makes me feel special and can appreciate me. A guy also has to take good care of himself. And I hate liars!

What's a game killer?

Don't talk too much about yourself. Confidence is very important and when someone doesn't have it, it's a turn-off. I think everyone is gorgeous in their own way so there shouldn't be a reason not to be confident.

Is what a dude drives important?

No, not to me.

Don't lie!

[laughs] Well, don't get me wrong, I love a nice car, but a car is just a car. It comes and goes just like money and all the other material things. It's the quality of the person that matters to me.

What do you drive?

I have a BMW 525i.

[laughs] That's why you don't care about a nice ride-you have your own! Another Persian-related question: Why do 85-percent of the Persian population seemingly all drive Bimmers?

I guess we all have similar taste in cars!

Something in the hummus? [laughs] What type of music would we find you rocking out to in your car?

I love hip-hop, R&B and pop so I have J. Holiday, Beyonce, and 2Pac. But I also like to mix it up and I listen to the radio all the time.

Have any hobbies?

I'm a very athletic person so I love to work out. I like hiking, riding my bike, dancing and singing in the shower! [laughs] But when I'm hanging out, my favorite thing to do is order a pizza and watch a basketball or football game. I love sports and I never miss a game during the season.

So tell us something that you've never told anyone...

I sleep naked. Shhh, don't tell.

I promise. Not a word. Lastly, let's end with one last Persian-related question: Genie in a bottle gives you three wishes, what would they be?

Well now that I have my Import Tuner cover: the cover of Maxim, a flying carpet, and to find out what's in hummus.

Bahara Golestani

Height: 5'7"

Measurements: 34C-24-34

Ethnicity: Persian

Sign: Gemini

Birthday: June 1

Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ

Website:

www.bahara.com

www.myspace.com/baharanexttopmodel

Thanks:

All of my fans for always believing in me and for all of their support. My parents for all their hard work raising me, Robert Valentino, Carter Jung, Mike, Day Photography, Princess and Anthony.