Crystal Hefner Urges Jessica Biel to Rethink Playboy-Themed Role

In a direct message shared via Instagram, the former Playboy model questioned whether the production would sanitize a history she characterizes as defined by systemic abuse. Hefner, who was married to the magazine founder from 2012 until his death in 2017, cited personal experiences of emotional, physical, and financial exploitation. She also highlighted broader allegations involving coercion and the presence of minors within the mansion, arguing that Hollywood should not curate nostalgia around a figure whose reputation has been heavily scrutinized by survivors in recent years.

"Playmates," the directorial debut of Lorraine Nicholson, features Bill Pullman as a fictionalized version of Hefner, with Biel cast as his wife. While the film is framed as a fictional story centered on a 13-year-old girl’s experiences at the estate, Crystal Hefner maintains that any cinematic exploration of that world risks minimizing the harm suffered by those within it. Her stance follows a broader personal campaign to reclaim her own narrative, which includes the release of her memoir, "Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself," and her stated intention to stop using the Hefner name.