Holly Madison has come a long way since her days in the Playboy mansion. No longer is she one of the many girlfriends harbored by Hugh Hefner, but now a model, author, actress, and tv personality.
The 42-year-old garnered fame for her feature in the reality series “The Girls Next Door” followed by her own show “Holly’s World,” with both detailing several personal moments in her life.
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Maddison’s grass to grace story is filled with many chapters of bitter-sweet time in Hefner’s residence. Her reverence and love for him plunged her into a complicated and toxic relationship with Hefner for many years.
Recently, Maddison and her former reality show co-star, Bridget Marquardt, have revealed several tidbits about Maddison’s stay in the house, particularly Hefner’s controlling attitude towards her appearance.
Holly Madison Could Not Wear Red Lipstick In The Playboy Mansion
Living in the Playboy mansion entailed many benefits. On the flip side, it came with loads of clauses Hefner used to control his girlfriends. When Madison moved in, Hefner, who died in 2017, reportedly took over her finances, imposed a curfew and schedule, and prevented her from picking up jobs outside the mansion.
The founder of Playboy magazine took things further by also placing constraints on Maddison’s appearance. In an upcoming docuseries called “Secrets of Playboy,” the TV personality alongside another former resident of the mansion, Marquardt, revealed at length the toxic details of her relationship with Hefner.
They referenced an incident when the publisher shouted out in rage when Madison wore red lipstick and subsequently forbade her from repeating it.
According to BuzzFeed News, Marquardt revealed that “(Madison) came down with red lipstick one time and he flipped out and said he hated red lipstick on girls [and to] take it off right away, even though other people could wear red lipstick and it did not seem to bother him.” Marquardt then admitted that the outburst made Madison depressed and sad.
Hugh Hefner’s Angry Reaction To Holly Madison Cutting Her Hair
Adding to the revelation, Maddison recalled when she cut her long hair short. Although she looked good regardless, Hefner took offense at her hairstyle.
“I came back with short hair, and he flipped out on me,” Madison disclosed still on the docuseries. “He was screaming at me and said it made me look old, hard, and cheap.”
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Afterward, Maddison soon ended things with her host and lover. She moved out of the Playboy mansion and tried to find her own path in the industry. As reported by People magazine, the reality star revealed that the period was the most trying time of her life.
She had to “start from scratch” with a “lot of baggage” and needed a lot of perseverance to get her own opportunities and earn a living.
Why Holly Madison Moved Into The Playboy Mansion
Looking at Madison’s achievements in recent years, one might be hard-pressed to believe that there was a time when she was knee-deep in money troubles.
Decades ago, Maddison faced financial ruin and potential homelessness over accumulated credit card debt and her inability to pay her rent. At the time, she was already a regular at the Playboy mansion, showing up at parties and other events but not residing there.
However, her dire situation made her seek Hefner’s permission to move into the mansion. In August 2001, and at the age of 21, Maddison moved into his house and became a part of his girlfriends.
Maddison worked in the Playboy studios as an intern and later a junior photo editor during her stay. She helped create “The Girls Next Door” calendars which contained photos of all Hefner’s girlfriends living with him.
Holly Maddison’s Life After The Playboy Mansion
Maddison left the Playboy mansion on October 7, 2008, which marked the end of a seven-year toxic relationship. She also quit the “Girls Next Door” franchise at the end of the sixth season in a bid to completely cut off contact with Hefner.
After her departure, Maddison featured in the reality dance competition “Dancing with The Stars.” Subsequently, she starred in the series “Peepshow” at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. The mother of two stayed with the show for four years but left due to her pregnancy.
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Her show “Holly’s world,” premiered on December 6, 2009, and was renewed for only a second season. Madison has also authored two books ‘Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny” and “The Vegas Diaries: Romance, Rolling the Dice and the Road to Reinvention,” which both debuted on the New York Times Best Seller list.
