Josie Goldberg is a sassy Russian Jew who’s raising eyebrows in the realm of reality television. Having appeared on Farmer Wants a Wife, she was voted off the show’s second episode and insisted on receiving her parting gift before leaving the property—that episode was by far the most memorable of the season. It was interesting to learn that Josie is bold, audacious, and tells it like she sees it both on and off screen. Josie Goldberg went from rejection to success with Playboy, and has scored other reality show appearances. But wait. She has a few more tricks up her sleeve.
The sassy 26-year-old currently resides in Westwood, CA, and is scavenging for Mr. Right. Millionaire Matchmaker is her mother’s favorite show; in pursuit of that elusive engagement ring, and to please her mother, Josie appeared on that show, too. And without a second thought, Goldberg ruffled another set of executive feathers, and has sifted through the “jerks” in hopes to one day (soon) marry a rich physician, have his children, keep his home, and oh yeah . . . still make her mark in Hollywood.
Reality TV is centered in controversy. From the shows The Biggest Loser, America’s Next Top Model, and Wife Swap to American Idoland So You Think You Can Dance, we’re fascinated with the idea of peering into somebody else’s life. Can you think of one reality TV show, including The Bachelor, Nanny 911, Survivor, etc., that doesn’t show controversy or conflict? Voyeurism is far more interesting than looking into our own mirror. Josie has skipped through the yellow brick road of reality TV, angering hosts, fellow contestants, and sponsors . . . and her filter remains off!
How did you get on Farmer Wants a Wife?
I was 24 and I was in graduate school to become a teacher. I was having problems with my professor. I was so miserable I hated life. At that time I was dating a physician whom I met 
on JDATES.COM. He was always putting me down. My goal in life was just to get married to a doctor, settle down, have his children, and live happily ever after. He was very cheap. He used coupons, wouldn’t let me take a shower for more than 20 minutes. I started telling him I was too young and I deserved more. He ended up cheating on me. I went on JDATE and wrote about my experiences with him. It caught the eye of a big casting director. They called me in to CBS and asked me to be on Farmer Wants a Wife.
I remember the show very well, and I particularly remember your episode. It was at the town hall meeting, and people from that town were making the decision to cut a contestant off the show. You ended up being the one to leave. But you had me on the floor in stitches because you refused to leave until you got your parting gift. So please tell me more about that episode.
Well, in the Russian Jewish culture, when you are asked to date for marriage and things don’t work out . . . I left everything, I went to the farm, I broke two pairs of shoes, my watch broke, I worked for four days on the farm [receiving only] minimum wage . . . I believe the man has to say, “I’m sorry you’re not for me,” and buy you a present and send you off. In the
Russian community, when you milk the cow, you have to give a present and leave. He didn’t sexually milk me, but he milked my time, my emotions. This is like a business deal. This is like working for a company. They give you money to come out for your time spent, a little advance, and they send you off. I look at getting married as something serious. I was pissed after I was embarrassed in the town hall. I wanted respect.
What was your opinion of the show?
When I was on the set and got eliminated, I told the executive producers there was not a show without me. The executive producers were so annoyed with me. But when it comes to love and marriage, it’s war.
1. “Jewish Women are underrepresented in the soft porn industry.”
2. “I’m Josie Goldberg and I’m the next Anna Nicole Smith and I’d like to know who rejected me?”
From Josie’s mouth to our ears, she muscled her way to the key decision makers at Playboy.
What happened next after Farmer Wants a Wife ?
After Farmer Wants a Wife, I remembered the photographer who shot me for our cast photo had suggested I shoot for Playboy. I tested but they sent me a rejection letter. I called up Playboy Studio West and I said, “I’m Josie Goldberg. I’m the next Anna Nicole Smith. I’d like 
to know who rejected me.” I was just pushing random buttons (extensions) and actually got ahold of somebody who could help me. This man on the other line told me, “No one has ever done this before, but I just found out the editor thought you were okay, but Holly doesn’t think you are Playboy material.” I told him that I wanted to go up the chain of management. He said the only person I could call was Heff. He wished me luck and he hung up. So one of my friends gave me the number of the Playboy Mansion and I called the secretary, Mary. I told her my story. I told her to tell Mr. Heffner that Jewish women have been underrepresented in the soft porn industry. I only want to be rejected by Hugh Heffner. She promised to send my pictures to him. Soon after that, I tested forPlayboy and became a Cyber Girl, and eventually “Cyber Girl of the Week.”
What’s next?
I was in Fox Reality’s Battle of the Bods, which was really fun. It’s about girls rating their body parts, a feature film [where I made a cameo appearance]. Now I have a couple of projects in the works. I’m hoping to get my own reality show. Eventually I’d like to shoot for Maxim.
I am a 5’10” Russian beauty, and I am voluptuous. And I think the reason Anna Nicole was so good was because it made big women like me feel sexy. You don’t have to be 100 pounds just to feel good. You don’t have to be anorexic. You can feel comfortable in your own skin. And as long as you feel good about yourself, that’s how other people are going to perceive you. And I plan to work in Hollywood for the rest of my life!
Visit Josie Goldberg athttp://www.myspace.com/cybergirljosiegoldberg.
Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples
