Unveiling the Playboy Feud Drama: Crystal Hefner Calls Out Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt for 'Sabotage' (Exclusive)

Crystal Hefner, widow of Hugh Hefner, revealed in her January memoir, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself, the challenging reality of her time at the Playboy Mansion. She spent almost a decade there during her five-year marriage to the iconic magazine publisher, who passed away at 91 in 2017.

In her book, Crystal described feeling like Rapunzel in a tower, longing for rescue that never came. She shared her experience of a cutthroat and unhealthy environment at the Mansion, where she was constantly compared to other Playmates. A controlling figure dictated even the smallest details of her life, such as the color of her nail polish. Despite not always realizing she needed help, Crystal felt trapped in this toxic situation.

Crystal is not the only one who has compared the famous Playboy Mansion to a prison. During a recent episode of the podcast "Girls Next Level" hosted by Bridget Marquardt and Holly Madison, along with guest Marston, they criticized Crystal, 38, and her statements about the mansion.

Marston even went as far as to label her as a "master manipulator" and gold digger. He claimed that she convinced Hugh to change his will as his mental state deteriorated towards the end of his life.

The ongoing feud between Crystal, Holly (44), and Bridget (50) has escalated with new accusations being made. The tension dates back to 2009 when Crystal replaced Holly as Hugh's main girlfriend after his split from Holly.

In an exclusive interview with We magazine, Crystal claims that Holly and Bridget have been targeting her, attempting to disrupt her life. She expresses feeling like they are trying to gain attention by causing issues. Crystal also mentions her surprise at the behavior of Marston, who appeared on her podcast in November 2023, as she thought they were on good terms.

Crystal Hefner Holly Madison Bridget Marquardt Playboy Mansion Us Weekly Cover 2423 NO CHIP

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According to a source, Crystal, Holly, and Bridget have never been friends. The insider mentioned that Holly immediately disliked Crystal and it seemed like everyone was against her.

During one of her early appearances on The Girls Next Door from 2005 to 2010, Crystal stated, "I'm not the new Holly. She's the old me."

Both Crystal and Holly have expressed their belief that the popular E! reality show intentionally caused tension between them after it ended. According to a source, their initial conflict stemmed from a desire for status at the Mansion, with Holly aspiring to become Mrs. Hefner and feeling resentful.

In 2021, the tension between former The Girls Next Door castmates Kendra Wilkinson and Holly resurfaced when Holly discussed the competitive atmosphere among women at the Mansion. In response, Kendra stated that she had moved past the drama.

Crystal distanced herself from Holly by publicly supporting Kendra on social media. She expressed her alignment with Kendra and questioned why women who shared a unique experience couldn't get along. Crystal also mentioned the animosity from Holly and Bridget towards her for no apparent reason.

Marston accused Crystal of being power-hungry and controlling the guest list at the Mansion. He claimed that she even excluded long-time friends of his dad's.

Marston noted that it was wise to be a little cautious at times and avoid getting on her bad side. The first source revealed that budget cuts at Playboy led to a reduction in Hugh's inner circle. According to the second source, Crystal was considered a true wife of the house with a significant influence and decision-making power.

Crystal maintains that Hugh was the "king of the castle" and he chose who he wanted to be around. She also emphasized that when a woman voices her opinions, she is often criticized as being harsh, especially by those who no longer benefit from her silence, and labeled as controlling by those who can no longer control her.

Crystal responded to Marston's comments about inviting strangers to Hugh's funeral by clarifying that she had only invited Hugh's close friends and colleagues. She emphasized that she was the one who was by Hugh's side as he passed away from sepsis caused by an E. coli infection. Marston did visit, but his children were not constantly with him.

Marston also accused Crystal of influencing Hugh to make changes to his will for financial gain while he was in a vulnerable mental state. Crystal defended herself by pointing out that Hugh had his own estate attorney and ultimately, any decisions or changes made to his will were his own choice.

Crystal also addresses Martson’s claims about his father being “dosed with medication,” clarifying that she avoids prescription medication herself. She prefers taking supplements when feeling unwell and is against using prescription drugs. She wanted her father to use as little medication as possible.

Additionally, Crystal emphasizes that Hugh was very intelligent and sharp. She finds it disheartening that someone with one of the highest IQs and who built an empire could be discredited. Dismissing his credibility seems unreasonable given his remarkable achievements.

Crystal expresses sadness about the characterization Marston made of Hugh. She believes that Hugh still carries pain and hurt from his relationship with his father, and is seeking answers that may never come. She thinks that Hugh is trying to fill in the blanks himself.

Crystal shares that she harbors no ill will towards Holly, Bridget, or Marston, with whom she had a conversation after learning about their podcast. She mentions that Marston backtracked on some statements and mentioned that things were taken out of context.

"I still consider him as family," she says to Us. She believes that Marston is struggling with emotional pain from his difficult relationship with his father. "It's clear that he is going through a lot of hurt."

She expresses her desire for a future where she, Holly, and Bridget can have a conversation and eventually become friends. "I am hopeful that we can all heal and move forward positively. I don't hold onto grudges," she explains. "When you are happy and at peace, you don't harbor any negative feelings towards others."

For more on the reignited Playboy feud, watch the exclusive video above — and pick up the latest issue of We, on newsstands now.

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