An accomplished artist, spokes model, host, and dancer, Brittney Palmer is on top of the world. Circling the cage with World Extreme Cage Fighting on the regular, Brittney gets to be front and center for a sport that is blowing up worldwide. With an electrically exciting career with the UFC and having a hobby that blossomed into a thriving career with her painting, planning her wedding to the man of her dreams is just the icing on the cake for this multi-talented beauty. She speaks to Runway about her passion for art, how she became involved with the UFC, and dishes on the most important day of her life.

With all of your creative endeavors and accomplishments, you’ve been called a modern day Renaissance Woman. What inspired you to jump into the world of mixed martial arts?

I’ve always been into all types of art. I’m a painter, I’m a professional dancer, and I think mixed martial arts, and the UFC, are such beautiful art forms. I didn’t ever dream, or aspire, to be a spokes model for this sport, but once I got into, I’ve stayed loyal to the company and we’ve become a tight knit family.

Throughout your career as an Ultimate Fighting Championship Octagon Girl, you get to travel and see so many beautiful parts of the world. What has been your favorite place to visit?

Sydney, Australia. I have a soft spot for Australia, and my fiancées Australian.

A healthy and fit lifestyle is obviously high on your list of priorities. What is your favorite form of exercise?

I am an avid spinner. I spin probably 5 times a week. I’m a little intense about it, I love spinning. I love being in the class for an hour and I sit in front so I can’t slack off.

So many women want to know, what are your tips for getting a sexy, sculpted bikini body for the summer?

70% is what you put in your mouth, and the rest is cardio. A lot of girls try a lot of different types of workouts, strength training and aerobics, but if you do a lot of cardio you’ll burn fat. It’s that simple. But what you eat is what your body is going to use as fuel. If you eat a cheeseburger, you won’t get much fuel from that.


And do you stick to a specific diet when you are working on shoots and in the ring? Do you have a favorite “indulge” meal or treat?

I used to stick to specific diets. Now, I just watch what I eat. I eat when I’m hungry and I don’t eat until I’m full. When I eat something, I don’t over indulge. I know what to eat, I don’t eat carbs. If my fiancé and I go out to eat, we will just eat the crust of the bread in the breadbasket to save on carb intake. As far as a “cheat meal”, I kind of cheat every day, I’m not very strict. If I want ice cream, I’ll eat ice cream.

Speaking of getting in shape, we hear that you are getting married. Congratulations! Can you share some details about the big day and, we of course have to know, who designed your wedding gown?

Yes! First the dress, the dress designer is Galia Lahav. The dress is fantastic, it is the center piece of the wedding and it fits me like a glove. She flew from Israel for the fitting and she’s just amazing. And the wedding venue is the iconic Charles Laughton Estate, Marilyn Monroe took acting classes at this place, and the theme is magical garden. A garden theme in ivory and beige with chandeliers, candles and flowers galore. We plan on having around 150 guests including notables in the UFC world.

Not just a dancer, model and personality, you are also an exceptional artist. Your acrylics on canvas are beautiful. What inspires you to paint?

I’ve always been inspired to paint since a young age, my mom said I should have been a child of the 60s or 70s. Jimmy Hendrix was the first music icon I painted, and that’s what I mainly paint. Iconic rock stars from the 60s and 70s. I also do a lot of custom commissioned work as well. I started working as an artist when I was 22, and I’m turning 27 now, so I feel very blessed to be able to work doing things that I love.

Wearing so many hats, how do you find balance in juggling it all? And what is a typical day like in the life of Brittney Palmer?

A typical day for me would be to get up, go to the gym, walk my dogs, and depending on if I have a meeting or not, I will plan all of my work related tasks after noon so I can get to the gym and have all of my morning chores done. I mean, I paint from home, and I live in the Hollywood Hills, so I just stay in and paint through the night. It’s not hard to juggle everything because I love what I do, and I don’t mind being busy.

What is your typical weekend wear? And do you have a favorite designer?

My fiancé is more into fashion than I am. My style, I can find something casual and be happy. My favorite is cut-off shorts and converse. When we go out together, I’ll dress up, and I’m usually in Chanel and Dolce and Gabbana.

As a model and UFC personality, do you see yourself crossing over into the acting world?

That’s an interesting question, and living in Hollywood I’m around it all the time, I’m exposed to it. But, I’m a really bad liar, and I think actors are just horrible liars, so I could never be an actress. It’s just not for me, for me it’s cheesy, not the profession itself, but the thought of me as an actress. That’s what cheesy.

Are there any future projects you can let our Runway readers know about?

They can always visit my website to keep up with what’s going on, www.brittneypalmer.com. And my fitness blog is on there as well, and we are launching
a lot of great things there soon!

Interview by Mandi Pimental for RUNWAY / Summer 2014

RUNWAY TEENS GOSSIP CORNER: Fresh Faces & Hot Places
By Mandi Pimental

Gossip Corner brings you up to date on the Hollywood scene and the stars that play in it. This issue we are talking hot places and fresh faces.   In January, after the holiday season of shopping and high-end gift exchange, (another Prada bag perhaps or a new winter white Bentley?) stars will leave tinsel town to visit the beautiful city of Park City, Utah for this nation’s biggest film festival, Sundance. We are loving some of the sneak peeks of what will be shown, as some of our squeaky clean favorites are getting a little dirty in gritty new roles. Kate Bosworth will be returning to the shore in Big Sur, a film based on the 1962 novel by literary icon Jack Kerouac. It is a deep, inspiring film that seems promising and with Bosworth being a fashion favorite, Runway Teen is anxious to see the 60’s styling of the film. Even darker is the role that heartthrob Shia Lebouf takes on, starring in Charlie Countryman. The film finds two lost souls on a dangerous adventure through Eastern Europe evoking suspense at every turn, and of course there is romance interlaced throughout. When the stars are not taking in a film, they will be hitting the slopes and we look forward to bringing you an update on the hot hookups and even hotter fashions of Sundance.


The glitterati will also soon be flocking to Las Vegas as Britney Spears begins her residency.  With her new album, simply titled Britney Jean, set to hit shelves on her birthday, December 3rd, she promises the long-awaited eighth studio release will be the most personal and heartfelt album to date. Only time will tell if this is the true comeback the world has expected from Ms. Spears, though we know no matter what happens (another husband, another baby, dare I say another crazy makeover?) she will put on a sizzling hot show in Sin City.


In other pop star news, Miley Cyrus (we know, we know, the Miley Cyrus thing has been done to death lately since the VMAs appearance and the slew of headlines that followed, it’s just one more we promise), has redesigned her website, and we just had to comment on it because it is like a train wreck you can’t not look at.  If you haven’t yet paid it a visit I must first warn you, it’s like taking a glimpse into her mixed up little mind, but for entertainment purposes it’s worth a visit. A few features: she makes out with herself in a mirror, tour dates are outlined in marijuana leaves, animated photos show her grabbing herself,  and other disturbing images abound… it’s all enough to make you go hmmm and it makes you really wonder, is this what girls today are inspired by? For the future of womankind, and for fashion, we really hope not.


Luckily, some fresh faces are showing young women how to be poised, sophisticated and classically beautiful. The Sherri Hill Spring 2014 fashion show showcased beautiful dresses for the upcoming prom season and two starlets shined among the crowd. Kendal Jenner, who walked alongside sister Kylie during part of the show, and Sadie Robertson, whose family recently hit it big as the stars of Duck Dynasty, are two ladies that we think deserve the spotlight they are currently basking in the glow of. New York Daily News recently reported that Ms. Jenner is mixed up in a sex tape scandal, though her camp has squashed the rumors, and with the bright future ahead of her, we hope to see her continue on the path of fashion and philanthropy that she is doing so well with. As for Ms. Robertson, she stands firm in her faith and expresses the appreciation she has for the success of their television show and that her family has a platform where they can speak about their values. As for the teen demographic, Sadie started her own foundation that is broadcast on YouTube through a series of videos titled “We Are Different” that inspires teens to stand firm in their faith.

It is inspiring to see teens making a difference in Hollywood.

And though it is not groundbreaking news we had to add this tip, all budding fashionistas take note; Khloe Kardashian recently gave her expert advice on taking the perfect selfie. “Keep the camera above you, below gives you a double chin.”

Thanks K, we will remember that.

Until next time! 

GOSSIP CORNER – Summer 2014
by Mandi Pimental

Runway Teen is back with another round of juicy gossip and this issue is all about love, marriage and baby carriages.  Summer love is in the air and romances are blooming.  Some new and some not so new, we are seeing many relationships being rekindled this season. 

During Coachella weekend, it seems that The Beibs and Selena Gomez may have been getting cozy once again.  An eyewitness stated that prior to Bieber's surprise performance the two were seen holding hands and walking together.  The question of “are they or aren’t they?” has been asked as often as the question, “can Beiber make a strong comeback after his recent indiscretions?”  We are hoping so, for his sake, and his millions of Beliebers worldwide that are rooting for him.

While we are pretty sure the topic of Jelena being on-again, off-again is getting tired, one hot couple who we’d like to see sizzle this summer is Kendall Jenner and Harry Styles.  Also reported to have re-sparked their flame during the music fest, after going months without connecting, the One Direction star and reality starlette were spotted holding hands while enjoying a musical performance.  Nothing like young love in the desert.

One relationship that may have cooled, while others were heating up, was the friendship between Selena and the Jenner sisters.  Photographed together through the music fests entirety, Gomez returned home only to unfollow all of her friends and connections on Instagram, claiming that people she had been connecting with lately haven’t been the best influences and that she wants to just focus on “good things, like music and church.”  We are all about positive vibes, and good influence on young stars, so if she is taking a stand on doing what is right for her then we say “Go Selena!” 

In wedding news, it is all about the Kardashian/West wedding plans.  While they reportedly privately got married stateside in May, their lavish affair with friends and family is set to take place in France this summer.  Inviting a modest number of just one-hundred guests, the wedding is sure to be a beautiful spectacle if we can expect it to be anything like her last televised nuptials.  Reportedly having put three dresses on hold for the occasion, we cannot wait to see what the fashion star will debut her walk down the aisle in.  This wedding is a first for West while it will be a third for the reality star.  We are hoping third times a charm and that she is finally found her happily ever after.

And of course, who doesn’t adore babies?  Especially celebrity babies, with their off-the-wall monikers and their trendy baby gear.  Expecting a bouncing baby girl soon is American Idol alum Kelly Clarkson.   Photographed recently in Nashville, her adorable baby bump is growing by the day. 

While this baby is a first for the What Doesn’t Kill You singer, Britney Spears ex, Kevin Federline recently welcomed his sixth little one.  Father to Kori, 13, and Kaleb, 10, with ex-girlfriend Shar Jackson, Sean, 8, and Jayden, 7, with Spears and Jordan, 2, with current wife Victoria Prince, their new daughter Peyton rounds out the clan nicely.  Maybe he is trying to put together his own back-up dance team.

Christina Aguilera has been trying to keep a low profile lately.  Keeping her baby bump private, she stepped out in Manhattan recently with fiancé Matt Rutler and posted to a photo to her Instagram with a caption that read “Baby loves N.Y.C”.  We can only assume that little baby girl Aguilera is going to have the most fashionable wardrobe, and we’d be lying if we said we aren’t slightly jealous of her soon-to-be lullaby serenades by her songstress mama.

Last but not least, the adorableness that is Mila Kunis cannot go unmentioned.  Expecting her first child with Two and a Half Men star Ashton Kutcher, Kunis is absolutely radiant. Also expecting a girl, Hollywood is about to see an influx of mini-starlet’s in the making. 

Anyone taking any bets on who will give their offspring the most outlandish names?  We are hoping, for all children involved, it doesn’t get too out of hand.  They do have to go through life with the name, after all. 

By Mandi Pimental

Luke Bryan –
Luke Bryan has become every girl’s favorite country boy.  Extremely hot, and talented to boot, Bryan began his musical career as a songwriter.  Catching the attention of Capitol Records in Nashville, he soon started gaining his own fan base when he signed and released his debut studio album, I’ll Stay Me.  Fast-forwarding to 2014 this cute crooner is promoting his fourth album to date, Crash My Party, which includes his number one single, and tribute to his late siblings, “Drink a Beer”, proving Bryan is a smooth talker with a heart of gold.

Justin Timberlake –

Last year was a very successful one for pop music’s sexiest man.  Releasing two albums in the same year, The 20/20 Experience and The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2, and gaining a production and writing credit on Beyoncé’s latest surprise album release, Timberlake showed he still has plenty of solid material to bring to the table.  Having recently snagged three Grammy Awards for “Best R&B song”, “Best Music Video” and “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration”, it seems as though Mr. Timberlake is not slowing down anytime soon and, as long as he keeps wearing those suits, we are just fine with that.


Drake –
Canadian rapper and recording artist, Drake, makes our top twelve for not only his catchy music and infectious smile, but for his drive.  Having grown up in front of the world on the teen hit Degrassi: The Next Generation, Drake saw his opportunity in the spotlight and released several mix tapes that caught the attention of Lil Wayne, giving him his big break in music.  Now, with 5 million albums sold worldwide, Drake continues to break down walls and look for new opportunities to display his songwriting, acting and musical talents.  Having just come of his “Would You Like A Tour” national tour, he made his debut hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live in January to rave reviews.  I guess when you coin the phrase, “YOLO” (you only live once), you take it seriously.

Adam Lambert –
Singer-songwriter and actor Adam Lambert is making serious waves in the industry.  After his stint ended on American Idol, Lambert went on to sign with RCA Records and release his first studio album, For Your Entertainment, which debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200.  Since 2009, his successes have ranged from critically acclaimed live performances on his Glam Nation tour, to a 2011 Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal.  Not only does Lambert possess an impeccable style all his own, the technically skilled tenor has also proved his acting chops by recently guest starring on the hit musical show Glee in 2013.  Lambert closed out the year strong, landing at number three on Forbes annual list of top earning American Idols.  The coming year looks quite bright for this hot young star.

Enrique Iglesias –
The sexy Spanish-American singer-songwriter on our top twelve Hottest Men Who Rock list is none other than Enrique Iglesias.  Having sold over 100 million units worldwide since his career took off with Universal Music at the turn of the millennium, Iglesias has been labeled one of the best-selling Spanish artists in history.  An impressive feat in itself, he is also an accomplished producer and actor, securing his triple-threat status.  Having recently released the title of his tenth studio album, Sex + Love, the 2014 album is set to follow the successful January 2014 release of his single “I’m A Freak” featuring Pitbull.  

Brendon Urie –
Lead vocalist of rock band Panic! At The Disco, Brendon Urie, is not only sexy but also extremely multi-talented.  Unknown to most fans, Urie is not just a talented vocalist and witty songwriter.  He can play a multitude of instruments including;  the trumpet, violin, cello, organ, accordion, bass, drums and guitar.  Take that in, ladies.  With their new album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!, climbing the charts, they have embarked on a tour in support of the new release alongside Fall Out Boy.

Max George (The Wanted) –
The stunningly sexy English-Irish singer of The Wanted recently announced he has made the decision to take his career solo.  While the band takes a break over “creative differences”, George has been making strides to find success on his own, having recently made the move to Hollywood.  Though The Wanted plans to finish their world tour together, we are thankful for his first solo endeavor as a new model for Buffalo Jeans underwear line.  The campaign shows the rugged singer in various states of undress in the woods, which we won’t question, just enjoy.  Aside from his new modeling gig, George has been in the studio recently with hip-hop phenom Flo Rider and One Republic’s Ryan Tedder.

Adam Levine –
Everyone’s favorite member of Maroon 5 continues to scorch the pages of every magazine worldwide.  Having recently been crowned Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine, we cannot say we would argue with their choice.  Not only does Levine have a powerhouse voice that keeps his singles at the top of the charts, his drive for success is intoxicating.  The three-time Grammy Award winner has helped two artists receive the winning title on The Voice, made his acting debut in the chilling horror series American Horror Story: Asylum, and most recently debuted his own self-titled fragrance line.

Keith Urban –
Australian-raised country singer Keith Urban could teach an American cowboy a thing or two about sex appeal.  As a musician, songwriter and American Idol Judge, Urban has had his fair share of success as of late.  Having recorded and released nine studio albums, Urban has charted on the U.S. country charts with over 25 of his singles, with 15 going to number one.  Our final vote, Nicole Kidman is one lucky woman. 

Blake Shelton –
Country music star, and The Voice coach, Blake Shelton is simply adorable.  Sexy for his down-to-earth approachability and pure talent, Shelton is a guy you would just like to grab a beer with.  That is, if he has a moment to relax.  Having charted over 24 country singles, including 15 number ones, he does not seem to stop.  Five-time Grammy nominee, Shelton is currently coaching on NBC’s The Voice where he has brought three of his singers to winning victory, more than any other coach on the series. 

Nick Jonas –
Nick Jonas skyrocketed to fame as part of the successful pop-rock boy band trio, The Jonas’ brothers, alongside his brothers Joe and Kevin.  Jonas, now 21, is making moves on his own in music and on the big screen.  As a veteran star of Disney films such as Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, Jonas has ventured into bigger roles since going solo such as his recurring guest spots on Hawaii 5-0 as well as on the late NBC show Smash. Currently starring in “Married to Jonas” alongside his beautiful wife Danielle, Nick can be seen Sunday nights on E!


Pitbull –
Strong and sexy Cuban American recording artist Armando Perez, better known as Pitbull, has had quite a year.  The Latin Grammy winner has released seven albums to date, with his latest hit single “Timber” ft. Ke$ha currently gaining momentum and reaching #1 in twenty positions worldwide. As the recent host of the American Music Awards, not only did America get to see Pitbull’s electric stage presence, but his impeccable style.  Next on the agenda, Pitbull will join Jennifer Lopez in performing at the opening ceremony of the 2014 World Cup. As Pitbull would say, dale!