Before Jordan Emanuel made her reality TV debut in 2022, she had already amassed a grand following in the beauty pageant world as Miss Black America New York. The title holder then skyrocketed into the limelight when she graced the cover of Playboy in 2019 while living with alopecia. Still, this queen knew she was destined for more.

Then, in an inspiring twist of fate, she was cast in the first season of Bravo’s reality TV series “Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard,” which followed a group of young Black adults sharing a living space off the coast of New York. Emotions spiked during an intense moment when she confronted her roommates for criticizing her role as a Playboy beauty while defending her decision to pose nude, something she remains “proud” of today.

“I know a lot of people struggle” with the idea that Playboy “is for men,” something Emanuel disagrees with. “Most of the girls that are in Playboy collected Playboys,” she explains, adding, “It’s about freedom that women have.”

She joined the third season of the network's spin-off series, "Winter House" and was the only Black woman on the show, which made her feel "intimidated for a lot of reasons."

“It really did bring me back to my first day of high school when I'm going to this boarding school alone, that I don't know what to expect, and I think that played a lot into my anxiety,” she added.

Amid Emanuel's journey of self-discovery as her life plays out on television, she decided to forgo sex in 2022 to find herself and limit distractions.

This Bravolebrity caught up with Bet.com for a wide-ranging discussion elaborating on lessons she has learned and how she is redefining her standard of beauty as someone with alopecia.

Bet.com: Following a blossoming career in journalism, what inspired you to join the reality TV space?

Jordan Emanuel:  It was never really something that I thought I would do, and it just happened to be the right network. It was the right people [and they] made me feel more comfortable exposing that part of my life because I am very private, even though it seems I'm so public. 

Bet.com: Do you resort to an alter ego when the lights and cameras are on, or are you the same person day-to-day?

Jordan Emanuel: I went into both experiences being 1,000% authentic. That was my baseline. I do think there are people that definitely have personas that they get into. For me, I just react to whatever I'm doing.

Bet.com: What are some of the highs and lows you have experienced as a reality star?

Jordan Emanuel: The high moments are meeting great people you wouldn't normally meet, even from other shows. I've connected with people who are watching and feel represented. Getting comments and messages like, "Thank you so much for saying this. I'm doing this too." Or,  "You've inspired me to do this," is always the most rewarding.

On the flip side, you get messages and comments of hate from people thinking that these little five-minute clips that you get of me once a week are all that I am or think that I said something that I didn't say [while] you're not even fully understanding the concept that we were there for three weeks [filming and everything isn't aired].

Bet.com: Last year, you set out on a self-liberating quest of celibacy. What inspired you to embark on this transformative journey? How has it been so far? 

Jordan Emanuel: I think it was just a pattern that I was recognizing with my relationships with men. I sought out people I knew could not fulfill what I needed because it felt safe. Then, it just became clear to me that I needed to have my freedom. 

When you realize that you're not getting what you want out of relationships or sex, you need to reserve that time for yourself. Not for a lack of missing it [sex], but it makes you reevaluate what you're willing to accept and what you're not. I don't have any regrets at all. 

Bet.com: From your experience in the dating pool, has sex ever been a hazard when attempting to establish a true connection?

Jordan Emanuel: I felt like it was a distraction for me because it became very clear that I am not a casual sex kind of girl. I wouldn't say I get attached, but it emotionally brings me to a different level. 

Bet.com: After production wrapped during the first season of "Summer House," you learned that some of your castmates "called dibs" on you. As a Black woman, how did that comment affect you?

Jordan Emanuel: I was disappointed and hurt because it felt like everybody was trying to set me up and sell me to the highest bidder—everybody, not just the guys. It felt like because I was a model, I wasn't allowed to have boundaries or be treated with any sort of consideration. It was really important for me to let it be known that I have boundaries, too.

Bet.com: You recently admitted that you haven't been on a single date this year. Are you extending your celibacy?

Jordan Emanuel: It wasn't a conscious decision, [but] it's just been extended, so I'm back to the celibacy board.

Bet.com: Do you disclose that you're celibate to potential mates?

Jordan Emanuel: There were two times, and I think in the back of both of their minds, it was almost like a challenge.

Bet.com:  Describe your top red flags.

Jordan Emanuel: Inconsistency is a big one. I say what I do and do what I say. If you're not on that, I don't trust you. That's the baseline of respecting me and my time. Also, I'm very turned off if they have a lot of pictures [on] Instagram and it's not for work. It's just my personal preference. 

Bet.com: In 2019, you made history as a Playboy Playmate. You are one of four Black women to hold the title. How has this experience helped shape your future aspirations and self-awareness?

Jordan Emanuel: I'm just proud. It was really emotional, really rewarding. It felt huge to be representing a big community that I felt still wasn't fully represented.  

I love my Playboy family. I stand 10 toes down on that. I struggled with the business aspect because I felt like [it] wasn't the same after Heff [Hugh Hefner] died. The business changed a lot. 

Bet.com: Many might be unaware that you have alopecia. How has this condition affected your life?

Jordan Emanuel: I had the worst outbreak, ironically, around when I was Playmate of the Year. [The] whole front half of my hair was gone, and I was uncomfortable about it because I was a natural girly. It was jarring for me to enter into wigs and extensions to try to mask it.The most difficult part was feeling like I wasn't 100% myself.

Once I got over that hurdle, I was like "I don't give a d - - m" [because] half these people out here are wearing wigs. I started to look at it as a fun thing to do. There are moments when I still get really down about it just because how I look is so much involved with how I make money. So that part continues to be a roller coaster ride, but it's like, what can I do? I'm alive; I'm here.

Editor's note: This article has been condensed and edited for clarity.