Former Playboy model Crystal Harris has publicly urged actress Jessica Biel to reconsider her role in the upcoming biopic “Playmates,” in which Biel is set to portray the fictional wife of the late Hugh Hefner. In a direct message shared on her Instagram account, Harris recounted her own distressing experiences during her marriage to Hefner, calling attention to the abuse she endured.
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Harris, who was married to the Playboy founder from 2012 until his death in 2017, expressed her concerns about the film’s potential romanticisation of Hefner and the Playboy lifestyle. The 40-year-old wrote to Biel, “Please reconsider playing Hugh Hefner’s ‘wife’ if this film intends to romanticise him or the Playboy world.” She detailed the physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse she suffered while married to Hefner, asserting that she was not alone in her victimhood.
The forthcoming film “Playmates”, reported to feature Biel alongside actors Lily-Rose Depp, Indiana Elle, and Bill Pullman, is directed by Lorraine Nicholson. The storyline centres around a thirteen-year-old girl who treats the Playboy Mansion as her second home. She befriends a character played by Depp, who is one of several young women hoping to become “Playmate of the Month.” Harris voiced her fears that the film could gloss over the darker realities associated with the Playboy brand.
In her intimate message to Biel, Harris highlighted that numerous other women have also come forward with similar allegations, including reports of rape, coercion, drugging, and exploitation. She emphasised that there are “deeply troubling concerns involving minors” linked to the environment that Hefner fostered. “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,” she concluded.
Since Hefner’s passing, Harris has spoken candidly about the trauma that she and countless others experienced within the Playboy world. In a video posted to Instagram earlier this year, she admitted to regretting her marriage and mentioned losing a significant part of her identity while trying to survive in that environment. Speaking to PEOPLE in 2024, Harris indicated that many women connected with Hefner had ultimately “lost their sparkle” after their experiences.
The film’s announcement was met with mixed reactions on social media. While some expressed anticipation for Biel’s return to the screen, others echoed Harris’s concerns about the potential glorification of Hefner’s controversial legacy. Harris’s message to Biel has prompted a broader discussion about the implications of retelling stories that are steeped in such serious allegations.
Jessica Biel, who is currently starring in “Matchbox the Movie,” has yet to respond publicly to Harris’s plea. Biel’s project is set to debut on Apple TV, marking her first film role in nearly a decade. As the conversation around “Playmates” continues, it remains to be seen how the filmmakers will approach the sensitive topics that Harris has raised.
Hugh Hefner’s legacy is a complex one, deeply intertwined with issues of consent and the treatment of women in the adult entertainment industry. As the media landscape shifts toward more critical examinations of historical narratives, Harris’s voice adds an essential perspective to the dialogue surrounding the film and its portrayal of both Hefner and the broader implications of the Playboy brand.
While “Playmates” seeks to tell a fictional story, Harris urges caution in how the narrative may inadvertently contribute to a romanticised view of Hefner’s life and the culture fostered at the Playboy Mansion. As the film heads into production, it will be crucial for all involved to heed the warnings and experiences of those who have lived through the realities behind the glamour.