Crystal Hefner: Objectification, control, and Playboy

The Playboy mansion was supposed to be a place of freedom, expression and empowerment for Crystal Hefner, but it turned out to be the total opposite. As one of the girlfriends - and then wife - of Hugh Hefner, she had to be seen and not heard.
In this chat with Fearne, Crystal explains how living in the Playboy mansion saw her pitted against other women and picked apart for her appearance. Recognising the financial abuse in particular, she began saving her own money, which eventually created a foundation from which to rebuild her life, and self-worth, when Hef died.
Fearne and Crystal also chat about how to start discovering what you like, and what makes you happy, after previously living for other people. Plus, how to move away from feeling your self worth hinges on your appearance.
Crystal’s book, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself, is out now.
ABOUT HAPPY PLACE
Fearne's HAPPY PLACE is a place to celebrate honesty, authenticity and community. Fearne delves into life, love, loss and everything in-between by chatting to inspiring individuals who have made a change in their own lives or help other people to find different ways of seeing life as she reveals what happiness means to them.
Happy Place is a space that is safe for all where difference is celebrated and the extraordinary is discovered. A place to focus on the positives and to help you find the joy every day - big or small.
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ABOUT FEARNE COTTON
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter, mother, broadcaster, writer and founder of Happy Place, a place where Fearne holds difficult but important conversations to encourage self-care and self-appreciation, creating a positive impact on the world, giving everyone a voice and actively listening.
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[@CemeteryGates007]

I had no idea what she had been through. I hope she continues to heal and give herself some grace.

[@karenferns6160]

Narcissists forbid autonomy..! Great interview Fearne & wishing Crystal happiness in the future.

[@lisabedlow4305]

A very enlightening and honest interview. An insight for so many into coercive controlling and narcissistic men.

[@supermodel6048]

It is very easy, to judge Crystal, but littrely she was the victim and step out from that energy it requires awerness and braveness❤

[@Tameron-xv8yn]

Fearne you missed the most important questions such as why did she run away before she married Hefner. Who did she run to and why did she change her mind. What kind of financial contract did Hef sign to get Crystal to come back and marry him and what role did her parents ( mother and step- father play in that decision.

[@naomicoward4687]

Fern you are an absolute legend of an interviewer.

[@mayhamilton6652]

Bless her. Well done Fearne for such a sensitive interview.

[@Suzy987]

Great interview by Fearne. Its hard to imagine why you wouldnt leave a situation like that if youve never been in that position. I think she was very understanding.

[@RianShafer]

I've only recently started following interviews with Crystal Hefner. I have done a complete 360 on her to seeing her much like the other young girls that got caught up in the Mansion life. Their stories are so much the same. The true take is what happens when you lose yourself to someone who is a true manipulator.

[@bridiewright1519]

Great job fearne, you're so kind and understanding ❤

[@burkphotography2615]

I would love to see her with Holly and Bridget. Even a 5 minute talk.

[@jairenesereno4519]

Im glad she is finding herself. I hope she continues to work on her trauma.

[@PrincessDisney86]

Very kind approach ❤ bless her

[@katherinecollins4685]

Very interesting

[@janiceleighton7348]

Thought she was going to change her name after her book told Morgan she was

[@chillinginmars]

Hef only has one f, it's short for hefner...on the thumbnail it's written heff

[@jessselene]

Extreme power imbalance. 🤔

[@MarvinTMartian]

Not only did she get $1,000 a week for expensive clothing, she took all of those clothes with her when she left. Also, when she complains about not getting paid for her work there... I'm pretty sure she got room and board, and all necessities paid for. 😂

[@fingernailforceps9274]

NOT A VICTIM

[@anniesizemore3344]

It was his mansion and his money. When you live in someone else's house, you do have to live by their rules. Those girls didn't have to stay if they didn't like it. They give reasons like oh, he would have taken away their centerfolds or oh, the money would have stopped. They don't try to cloak it in noble reason's like they had to take care of their family or they say they couldn't save money to leave. But I watched Girls Next Door and I don't believe some of the things their saying. Kendra saved enough for a condo on that show. Holly appeared to be a recruiter for girls to become girlfriends. Holly Madison said she regrets having to quit her job as a waitress to be his girlfriend? I don[t believe that. What did those girls think? That they would get his money and his lifestyle for free?

[@sarahlang2119]

Have you read the book? It's about coercive control

[@jmar808]

@anniesizemore3344 Exactly 💯💯

[@adriana-jn8ru]

That’s too deep for her to comprehend.

[@saarraagee1507]

Did she really just say it was financial abuse? She got 1000 a week for being his gf. Is that a joke

[@actuallyNo...]

Lol. Yes she did. 😅

[@ahul0812]

According to holly, they couldn’t really use that money as they pleased. They had to use it to keep up their appearances with wardrobes and hair and other beauty routines

[@burkphotography2615]

It wasn’t enough to keep up with the lifestyle. Holly was coloring her own hair for years at the mansion.

[@greatestever9086]

Hef had an account with the Jose eber salon she was only coloring her own hair because the mean girls didn’t tell her she could go get it done for free

[@musanyathi2298]

Not true. $1000 was their personal allowance. They got $2000 for clothes for big parties and all beauty treatments were paid for.