Blog courtesy of: Kattie Nickerson

Say hello to our firecracker Kayla, who hails from New Port Richey, Florida and has called Tampa home since she was 18 years old. Kayla has been a part of Seminole Hard Rock Tampa since 2007 and is an eight-year veteran of the Seminole Hard Rock Girls Calendar, two of which she was the cover girl and the coveted centerfold.

Kayla’s involvement with the calendar has allowed her to develop lasting friendships with the other girls, which she feels is like being in a sorority with your sisters. There’s also other advantages when it comes to the calendar photos themselves,  Kayla is counting on when she gets older to show that once upon a time she was a hot young thing.

Known for lighting up a room with her exotic beauty and lively personality, you can spot Kayla at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood where she is both a server and bartender. One of her favorite things about being part of the Hard Rock organization is the family vibe, not just within Council Oak but all departments. As we dive deeper into her life, we got to know what makes Miss July super special. Let the fireworks begin!

 

Who is your favorite musician or band?

My musical interests are diverse. At heart, I’m a rock girl. My longtime love is Jane’s Addiction. I’m going to see them at Life is Beautiful music festival in Las Vegas. My first concert that I ever bought tickets for was Incubus at the USF Sun Dome. I can still listen to their records and it never gets old. I also love Minus the Bear, MuteMath, Florence and the Machine, as well as DJs like The Magician and Seven Lions.

Do you have a favorite food you like to cook or eat?

My favorite dish is a copycat of my dad’s tempura recipe. I tempura fry chicken, shrimp, broccoli, mushrooms and zucchini. I mix up a garlicky, vinegar, spicy soy based sauce along with a creamy sauce and eat my weight in tempura. I can’t make this all the time because I’d be a 100 pounds heavier in no time.

Fun Fact: Every now and then my guilty pleasure is to binge watch uplifting “faith in humanity restored” videos online and cry my eyes out. It feels so good I have to literally tell myself “Ok, Kayla, just one more…”

Be sure to keep an eye out for Kayla throughout the month at various events within the Tampa Bay community as well as volunteering at events with our charity partner, Hands Across the Bay.