Carmen Electra's Style Evolution: From 'Baywatch' Babe To Parody Queen (PHOTOS)

PHOTOS: Carmen Electra's Curve-Hugging Looks

Carmen Electra has always craved the spotlight. The Ohio native studied dance from an early age and moved to California after finishing high school in search of her big break. And it wasn't long before she caught the eye of Prince, who changed her name from Tara Leigh Patrick, signed her to his Paisley Park Records and released her first self-titled album in 1993.

However, Electra's career went full throttle after posing nude for Playboy's May 1996 issue, landing the role of lifeguard Lani McKenzie on "Baywatch" in 1997 and hosting MTV's game show "Singled Out." The (sometimes) blonde babe continued to be featured in Playboy, and in 1998 she said "I do" to bad boy basketball player Dennis Rodman. Though that tumultuous union only lasted five months, Electra tried marriage again in 2003 with Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro -- barely making it to their four year anniversary -- and is now engaged to rocker Rob Patterson.

Since then, she has shifted her focus back to acting and appeared in films including "Starsky & Hutch," "Cheaper by the Dozen 2," "Scary Movie 4," "Meet the Spartans" and "Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!!"

In celebration of Electra's 40th birthday on April 20th, we're taking a look back at the sex symbol's style over the years. Vote on all of her looks in the slideshow.

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1997

Carmen Electra's Style Evolution (PHOTOS)

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