Karissa Shannon

Karissa Shannon is an American model and reality television personality best known for appearing on E!’s The Girls Next Door and becoming one of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends alongside her identical twin sister, Kristina Shannon. Karissa was raised in Clearwater Beach, Florida. She attended Largo High School in Largo, Florida, before entering the spotlight as a reality television personality.

Karissa and Kristina moved into Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion in 2008 and joined The Girls Next Door during its sixth season. Karissa and her sister were both named Playboy Playmates in 2009. Karissa also appeared in Sofia Coppola’s 2010 film Somewhere. The sisters later opened beauty salon GLAM Beverly Hills before stepping away from the entertainment industry.

Karissa dated Hefner from 2008 until 2010, during which time they lived at the Playboy Mansion. She was also previously linked to actor Sam Jones III. In 2026, Karissa announced her engagement to a private individual after he proposed on her birthday. The two are expecting their first child together.