Los Angeles, California — Holly Madison, a prominent figure from the reality television scene, has expressed conflicting feelings about her experience with Hugh Hefner, the late founder of Playboy magazine. Reflecting on her time at the iconic Playboy Mansion, Madison revealed some aspects that she profoundly disliked.
During an episode of the podcast “In Your Dreams with Owen Thiele,” Madison humorously touched on the mansion’s rumored hauntings but quickly shifted to the more unsettling dynamics of her surroundings. She remarked that the unsettling elements included not just the mansion’s eerie reputation, but also the complex interactions with other women in the mansion and the uncomfortable reality of shared intimacy with Hefner.
Madison’s relationship with Hefner, which spanned eight years, began when she was just 22 years old and he was 75. When questioned about their private moments together versus those shared in groups, she offered a stark contrast, stating that intimacy was “a very different story” when guests were present. The reality star did not shy away from expressing her distaste for those public encounters, calling them “disgusting” and affirming that she made her feelings clear.
As a star of “The Girls Next Door,” Madison became a cultural icon in the mid-2000s, showcasing life behind the mansion’s walls alongside fellow Playboy models Bridgette Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson. Since Hefner’s passing in 2017, she and her former co-stars have become more vocal about the darker aspects of life within the mansion.
In the A&E docuseries “Secrets of Playboy,” Madison recounted disturbing encounters with Hefner, including a time when he criticized her appearance, declaring that a particular haircut made her “look old, hard, and cheap.” Marquardt corroborated Madison’s experiences, highlighting Hefner’s abrasive comments directed especially at her. Madison reflected on the emotional turmoil she faced early in her residence, describing it as a troubling cycle.
Madison clarified that her relationship with Hefner was more conventional when they were alone, dispelling some of the grotesque imagery often associated with such high-profile age differences. She addressed the derogatory comments she received online, admitting that while some may have preconceptions about older men, her experiences were not all as extreme as some might imagine.
In addition to revisiting her difficult past, Madison shared that she declined an opportunity to participate in the reality show “The Traitors.” She was hesitant to join, fearing that her own history would pigeonhole her as a villain due to her 2016 memoir, “The Vegas Diaries.” Now, reflecting on that decision, she admits to some regret at not accepting the invitation.
Madison’s candid reflections reveal not only the complexities of her relationship with Hefner but also the broader implications of life at the Playboy Mansion. Her willingness to speak out adds a new layer to the discussion about celebrity culture and personal agency, illustrating challenges that may not be visible in the glamorous facade of reality television.