While studying to be a pediatric nurse in Orange County, a classmate who was an exotic dancer introduced Leone to John Stevens, an agent who in turn introduced her to Jay Allen, a photographer for Penthouse magazine.[9] When picking a name for her adult career, she has said that Sunny is her real name and Leone was picked by Bob Guccione, former owner of Penthouse magazine.[14] She posed for Penthouse magazine, and was named Penthouse Pet of the Month for the March 2001 issue, followed by a feature in the Holiday 2001 edition of Hustler magazine as a Hustler Honey. She has appeared in other magazines including Cheri,[15] Mystique Magazine,[16] High Society, Swank, AVN Online, Leg World, Club International and Lowrider,[17][18] while her online credits include ModFX Models,[19] Suze Randall[20], Ken Marcus[21] and Mac & Bumble.[22] Her pictorial credits also include working stars like Adriana Sage, Jenna Jameson, Jelena Jensen and Aria Giovanni.
