Tila Nguyen was born in Singapore, but moved to Houston, Texas when she was just a year old. Born to French-Vietnamese parents, Nguyen lived in a strict Buddhist community until she was eight. She had a turbulent childhood: at eleven she tried heroin, at thirteen she began to drink, at fourteen she was sent to a boarding school for several months, at fifteen she got her first tattoo and began to smoke, and she ran away to New York City at sixteen.

By chance, Tila was discovered at a mall by a Playboy scout right after graduating from high school. She was skeptical at first, but then accepted the offer and moved out to West Hollywood.

She is now a singer, actress, and the most friended person on MySpace.
Was discovered by Playboy scouts in a mall. Is trying to put together an album (2004). Has a fashion line coming out (2004). Has a comic book coming out called "The Saint Sinners". Is a character in 'Street Racing Syndicate' for Xbox, PS2, and Gamecube. Playboy's first Asian to win the Cyber Girl of the Month title. Manages upcoming groups of models called Feisty Felines. Did her first shoot for Playboy at age 19. Sang in a band, but quit because she felt she didn't belong there. The other members did not have the same drive and ambition. Lived in Houston, Texas before moving to California. Is born on the cusp between Libra & Scorpio (birthday is October 24). She is 3/4 Vietnamese and 1/4 French. Was the September 2007 entry in Stuff magazine's 2006-2007 pin up calendar. Her nickname "Tila Tequila" came about at the age of thirteen.