Crystal Hefner has issued a stern warning to Holly Madison over comments made about her late husband, Hugh Hefner. The widow of the Playboy founder has taken legal action, sending a cease and desist letter to Madison, who was one of Hugh’s former girlfriends. The letter, obtained by TMZ, accuses Madison of making “malicious and intentionally misleading comments” on her podcast, “Girls Next Level.”
The controversy stems from a May 13 episode of the podcast, where Madison, along with Hugh’s son Marston, discussed various aspects of Hugh’s life. According to Crystal’s lawyer, the comments made during this episode have caused her “serious harm.” One of the most contentious remarks was the insinuation that Crystal kept Hugh “doped up” in his final years to exploit him financially.
Crystal’s legal team vehemently denies these allegations. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” the letter states. “Ms. Hefner was steadfast in her commitment to Mr. Hefner through his final days, ensuring that he was cared for and received the best medical attention available.”
The letter also warns Madison to refrain from making similar comments in the future, threatening legal action if she does not comply. Crystal’s attorney told TMZ, “Ms. Hefner will not have her name and reputation tarnished by opportunists. We stand by the contents of the letter and will enforce Ms. Hefner’s rights to the fullest.”
Madison, however, has not taken the cease and desist letter lightly. She acknowledged receiving the letter in a series of cryptic social media posts. On June 10, she tweeted, “Imagine running a free speech foundation and then sending someone a cease and desist for talking,” accompanied by a string of laughing emojis. The following day, she shared another post mocking the legal notice, stating, “Your attorney can’t even find my correct email address.”
Madison also took to her Instagram Stories to share a video of herself using a copy of the cease and desist letter as toilet paper, further escalating the feud. This bold response has only added fuel to the fire, making it clear that Madison is not backing down.
Madison and Hugh Hefner dated from 2001 to 2008, during which time she was his No. 1 live-in girlfriend, as depicted on the reality show “The Girls Next Door.” She co-hosts the “Girls Next Level” podcast with Bridget Marquardt, another of Hugh’s former girlfriends. The podcast often delves into their experiences at the Playboy Mansion and their relationships with Hugh.
Crystal and Hugh Hefner were married from December 2012 until his death in September 2017. Crystal was introduced as one of Hugh’s new girlfriends in the sixth and final season of “The Girls Next Door” in 2009, following his breakup with Madison, Marquardt, and Kendra Wilkinson.
This is not the first time tensions have flared between Hugh’s exes. In April, Madison accused Crystal of copying her memoir, “Down the Rabbit Hole,” claiming that Crystal’s writing style in her book “Only Say Good Things” was eerily similar to her own. Crystal, in her book, wrote that filming “The Girls Next Door” created a rivalry between herself and Madison, a sentiment Madison agreed with.
Despite their feud supposedly being settled years ago, it appears that old wounds have been reopened. The recent legal action and public exchanges suggest that the animosity between Crystal and Madison is far from over.
The situation has drawn significant public attention, with many weighing in on the dispute. Some support Crystal’s right to defend her reputation, while others champion Madison’s freedom of speech. The legal and personal battle between these two women continues to unfold, with no resolution in sight.
As the drama escalates, both parties remain steadfast in their positions. Crystal is determined to protect her name and legacy, while Madison appears equally committed to speaking her truth, regardless of the consequences. The public can only watch and wait to see how this high-profile feud will ultimately be resolved.
