Crystal Hefner Urges Jessica Biel to Withdraw from ‘Playboy’ Biopic Amid Abuse Allegations

Crystal Hefner, the widow of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, has called upon actress Jessica Biel to “reconsider” her involvement in the upcoming film Playmates.

Directed and written by Lorraine Nicholson, Playmates is described as a coming-of-age story focusing on Elle, a precocious 13-year-old who views the Playboy Mansion as a second home. The plot follows her unlikely bond with Anna (played by Lily-Rose Depp), one of several women competing for the title of Playmate of the Month. According to the official logline, the two characters assist one another in pursuing their respective desires: a magazine cover and a romantic interest.

While Bill Pullman is set to portray Hugh Hefner, Jessica Biel is cast as his fictional wife. This casting prompted Crystal Hefner to reach out to Biel via direct message—a communication she subsequently shared on Instagram.

“Please reconsider playing Hugh Hefner’s ‘wife’ if this film intends to romanticise him or the Playboy world,” Crystal wrote. “I was actually his wife, and I experienced sexual, emotional, financial and physical abuse in that relationship. Many other women have come forward with allegations of rape, coercion, drugging and exploitation as well. There are also deeply troubling concerns involving minors. I hope everyone involved in this film takes the time to listen to the women who lived it before helping Hollywood turn it back into nostalgia.”

Jessica Biel has not yet issued a public response to the request.

In a follow-up post, Crystal emphasized her commitment to supporting survivors. “My goal has always been to support women, amplify their voices, and help create a world where their experiences are taken seriously. That’s where I want to keep putting my energy moving forward,” she stated.

Addressing the production, she added, “Regarding the film, I hope it’s not something that will glorify Hugh Hefner. With women in the leading roles, my hope is that the film ultimately delivers a message of empowerment: that women can find fulfillment, independence, and a sense of self beyond Playboy.”

Since Hefner’s passing in 2017, Crystal has been candid about the trauma she endured as both a Playmate and a spouse. In an interview with EW in August, she described the psychological toll of the relationship, stating, “I felt like trash to be honest. I felt like this person had me doing all these things, and I just felt worthless as a person where, if I left, there would be no place in the world for me.”

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