Do you remember where you were on August 1, 1981? That was the birthday of Music Television (MTV) and the beginning era of a string of music videos which starred a bevy of sultry video vixens. In addition to the bands and singers who created the songs, these young women (some models, some not) often stole the spotlight and their images have been burned in the collective minds of MTV's earliest generation of viewers. Now, almost 20 years later after many of these video first aired, our friends at Snakkle.com track down your favorite ‘80s video vixens to find out where they are now.
PHOTOS: See all 18 pics in “80s Video Vixens - Where Are They Now?
Ola Ray appeared in Michale Jakson's "Thriller" video (1983)
THEN: Who could forget Michael Jackson’s freaked out girlfriend (when Michael turned into a zombie in the epic music video), played by Ola Ray, in the iconic video for “Thriller” back in 1983.
Ola Ray TODAY
In the late ‘80s and ‘90s, Ray did her best to cash in on her video fame. The result was a series of small parts in movies like “48 Hrs.” and “Beverly Hills Cop II,” as well as TV shows ranging from “Gimme a Break!” to the prestigious TV series “Cheers.” She briefly made headlines in 2009 when she sued Jackson, just a month before the icon died, claiming unpaid royalties her appearance in the “Thriller” video. She was finally paid $75,000 just recently in January 2013.
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Lisa Vanderpump in ABC's video "Look of Love" (1982)
THEN: British socialite Lisa Vanderpump sported the quintessential big hair and heavy makeup when she appeared in several videos for British New Wave band ABC, including “Look of Love” and “Poison Arrow” back in 1982.
Lisa Vanderpump TODAY
Vanderpump was an aspiring actress in the 90s and worked sporadically on programs like “Silk Stalkings” and “Baywatch Nights.” She eventually found her true calling as a successful restaurateur. However, Vanderpump decided to return to TV in 2010 as herself on the Bravo reality show “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Now the star has combined both careers: Her exclusive restaurant Sur is the setting for the brand new spinoff “Vanderpump Rules.”
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Jeana Tomasino in ZZ Top's video "Legs" (1984)
THEN: Jeana Tomasino was Playboy's Playmate of the Month in November 1980, making her the ideal 80s video vixen. Alongside Kymberly Herrin and Danièle Arnaud, all three proved they knew exactly how to use their gorgeous gams in ZZ Top’s 1984 video “Legs.”
Jeana Keough TODAY
After their ZZ fame, these video vixens went in very different directions on the next “leg” of their lives. Jeana Tomasino-Keough became a California real estate agent and took another turn in the spotlight as the troublemaker on “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” Arnaud became a French teacher and Herrin faded into obscurity.
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