Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt have publicly criticized Crystal Hefner after receiving a cease and desist letter from her. The letter was sent in response to comments made on their podcast, Girls Next Level, where they discussed Crystal’s actions and character.
On a recent episode of their podcast, Holly and Bridget addressed the cease and desist letter without mentioning Crystal by name, instead referring to her as “Cease and Desist Lady.” Holly expressed disbelief at the situation, pointing out the irony that Crystal, who leads a free speech foundation, would try to silence them. “It blows my mind that she’s the head of a free speech foundation,” Holly remarked.
Crystal, who was married to Hugh Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017, sent the legal notice after Holly, Bridget, and Hugh’s son, Marston Hefner, made critical comments about her in a May episode. Marston had suggested that Crystal might be a “master manipulator.”
Holly and Bridget did not hold back in their response. Holly accused Crystal of “legal bullying,” a term she used to describe wealthy individuals using their resources to intimidate others legally. “I’m not backing down,” Holly declared, calling Crystal’s actions hypocritical.
Bridget echoed Holly’s sentiments, criticizing Crystal for trying to silence them. “Nobody’s allowed to talk but her. Apparently, the First Amendment is only for her,” Bridget said.
The cease and desist letter also included allegations that Holly, Bridget, and Marston accused Crystal of giving Hugh excessive medication for financial gain. Holly clarified that Marston’s comments were misinterpreted, explaining that he was concerned about the amount of medication his father was receiving. “He felt like when you have that kind of access, there’s always going to be a doctor somewhere who’s going to maybe give you a little too much if you want it,” Holly explained.
Bridget added that Crystal took the comments personally, referencing an interview Crystal gave to Us Weekly where she first brought up the issue. Holly and Bridget were surprised by Crystal’s reaction, noting that they never made the specific claims she was upset about.
Crystal’s lawyer, in the cease and desist letter obtained by TMZ, claimed that the remarks made by Holly, Bridget, and Marston caused Crystal “serious harm” and were “malicious and intentionally misleading.” The letter threatened legal action if Holly continued to make “false” claims about Crystal.
Holly responded to the letter on social media, mocking the situation. “Imagine running a free speech foundation and then sending someone a cease and desist for talking,” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, accompanied by laughing emojis. In a follow-up post, she added, “Your attorney can’t even find my correct email address.”
Crystal’s lawyer defended her actions, stating that she would not allow her name and reputation to be tarnished by “opportunists.” They emphasized that Crystal was committed to Hugh Hefner’s care until his final days and received the best medical attention available.
The feud between Holly, Bridget, and Crystal has been ongoing, with Holly previously accusing Crystal of copying her 2015 memoir in Crystal’s 2024 book, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself. Holly claimed that Crystal’s book lifted narrative elements from her own, describing it as “creepy.”
Marston Hefner also made damning claims about Crystal on the podcast, suggesting she took advantage of Hugh Hefner in his later years. He accused her of being obsessed with control and power, and of overseeing changes to Hugh’s will when he was mentally fragile.
Crystal has denied these allegations, insisting that she was dedicated to Hugh’s care and that she did not exploit him. She also accused Holly and Bridget of seeking attention and trying to sabotage her.
The conflict between these former Playboy figures continues to unfold, with both sides standing firm in their positions.
