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Holly Madison, ex girlfriend of Hugh Hefner, is hosting a new TV series called “The Playboy Murders” on Investigative Discovery and Discovery+, starting January 23rd. Madison, a victim of abuse, says, “When I was young I would hear stories of celebrities in abusive relationships and kind of the public’s reaction was like, ‘Well, if you didn’t leave after the first thing that went wrong, you know, it’s your fault for staying.’ And I remember thinking that too before I really had that experience myself.” She continues, “In the beginning everything seems so wonderful and you’re being love bombed and you think this person’s an amazing person. So when something does go off the rails a little bit, you make excuses for it and you think it’s the exception. You’re wondering what’s wrong with you and you’re struggling to kind of fix it.” She says, “So, I do love speaking on behalf of the victims and trying to explain to other people that abusive relationships aren’t that simple and they’re not that easy to get out of. And it’s not that person’s fault if they didn’t see the first sign and run because nobody really operates like that. Human beings are complex. You see one bad thing about somebody [and] you aren’t psychic. You don’t know that they’re going to continue to be like that forever.”
Madison first told the story of what really went on in the Playboy world in 2015’s memoir “Down the Rabbit Hole”. She spoke more in depth about the trauma endured in her relationship as part of last year’s docuseries, “Secrets of Playboy”, where Hefner was accused of physical and emotional abuse by former girlfriends.
Madison says it’s been somewhat freeing to have some of the darkness that went on spill out in the public. “Every time I told my story I was getting backlash. But when I heard that so many other women were coming forward [in “Secrets of Playboy”], I definitely wanted to be there for them on their side. I know what it feels like. I’m very proud of all those women.”
This new show, which Madison also executive produces, examines several tragedies that plagued the Playboy empire. “There’s so many women who’ve worked for Playboy over the years and everybody’s story’s different,” Madison says. “From the outside, especially when my TV show was on in the 2000s, people would only see the really glamorous, fun side. And it just looked like you didn’t have a care in the world if you were part of Playboy. And, of course, you know that’s not true … these are real people and I wanted to share these stories.”
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Hi Emilie – thanks for writing out that great and heartfelt quote. What she says is so true about victims not understanding what was going on so how would they know to get out of a toxic relationship when all the while they are just getting pulled in deeper and deeper into the abyss? I didn’t realize that Hugh Hefner was an abuser. I just thought it was all like an orgy where everybody was just kind of having a “ free for all “. But then again I never put much interest in his Playboy mansion etc. But I am glad Madison is bringing everything to light – especially more knowledge about relationship abuse. I think that so much of what keeps victims stuck is lack of knowledge and back when Madison was involved, I am sure there was nothing out there ( abuse recognition and books etc ) for her and the other women. So her new TV series will help many open up their awareness to the issue of abuse that has been hidden way to long. Thanks for you post. Always love to read what you share. Blessings
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Emilie The program sounds good. With Hugh Hefner’s power I’m not surprised there was abuse
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Thank you for sharing this about the new series. I’ll put it on my watch list. I watched the Secrets of Playboy series and was on the same thought process as Polestar, one big naked, sex playground. It was sad to hear how many women were put in positions where they didn’t have choices. In fact it’s been a while since I watched it, might have to do so again.
I’m a little over half way through the Pamela Anderson documentary on Netflix. I have a new found respect for her! She is actually a pretty cool person and I hope she’s an inspiration for others in how she handled the physical abuse from Tommy. ONE TIME! She said, “there was no gray area for me.” She was not going to be in an abusive relationship. She took her kids and left. She later writes a letter to her infant son talking about not accepting the abuse and how she was going to make sure he was safe and loved. Worth the watch, so far.
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Hi – I really know next to nothing about Pamala Anderson, but I am glad to hear that she had the inner strength to leave the abusive relationship. Many times there are psychological holds that make it difficult and she was able to overcome those. Another issue that many women face aside from emotions and psychology is the basic issue of financial wherewithal. I think Pamala probably had enough financial independence to make her exit doable, where many women would not be in that position. Shannon Thomas wrote a book about financial abuse that brought this matter to light and how in so many ways women are in a state of entrapment due to finances – not having access to money or the abuser manipulating and taking money away. I don’t think we like to admit to the reality of financial entrapment or abuse. Nevertheless, I’m glad that Pamala was able to extricate herself from that situation. It shows much strength and character on her part. Thanks for the post.
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Yes I’ve read about Pamela Andersen. She has left abusive relationships and contributes to the National Domestic Violence hotline. I think money is a reason some have to stay in abusive relationships.
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