Holly Madison Defends Jessica Biel's Role in Hefner Biopic Amidst Crystal Harris's Objections

Holly Madison, a former girlfriend of Hugh Hefner and star of "Girls Next Door," has publicly supported actress Jessica Biel's casting in the upcoming Hugh Hefner biopic, titled "Playmates." Madison stated she "can't wait to see it," a sentiment that directly opposes the stance taken by Hefner's widow, Crystal Harris.

Harris recently shared an Instagram message she sent to Biel, urging the actress to reconsider her role as Hefner's fictional wife in the film. Harris cited her own experiences of alleged abuse within the marriage, stating, "Please reconsider playing Hugh Hefner’s 'wife' if this film intends to romanticize him or the Playboy world." She further detailed experiences of sexual, emotional, financial, and physical abuse, and referenced allegations from other women involving rape, coercion, drugging, exploitation, and concerns involving minors.

Harris, who was married to Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017, expressed in a recent podcast that she felt "brainwashed" during their relationship, noting the significant age difference between them. She believes the film "Playmates" risks romanticizing Hefner and the Playboy lifestyle.

Madison, who dated Hefner for seven years in the early 2000s, expressed her admiration for the film's writer and director, Lorraine Nicholson, daughter of Jack Nicholson. Madison also stated her enthusiasm for Lily-Rose Depp, who is set to play one of the aspiring Playmates in the film. Nicholson, whose short film "Life Boat" premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, is making her feature-length directorial debut with "Playmates." The film is produced by Searchlight Pictures.

While Hefner was married to Mildred Williams, Kimberley Conrad, and Crystal Harris during his lifetime, the character Biel will portray is fictional, according to Variety. The movie's logline describes "Playmates" as the story of Elle, a 13-year-old who considers the Playboy Mansion her second home and befriends Anna, one of seven hopefuls for Playmate of the Month. The two characters form an unlikely friendship.

Nicholson shared her own childhood memories of the Playboy Mansion with W Magazine, calling it "such a place of innocence, paradoxically," and recalling swimming in the grotto, unaware of its "other side by night."