When you hear the word Playboy, your mind quickly associates it with a range of naked women or women in provocative positions spread across the pages of a popular adult magazine the last century and the early 2000s – but it’s not just about that.
Founded by Hugh Hefner in 1953, the magazine became a pioneering harbinger of the American counterculture, redefining sexual values of a time when there was a lot of taboo about female bodies and the pursuit of sex; endorsing freedom of expression through articles that addressed all types of issues related to sexual desire and health.
(Source: Daily Mail/Reproduction)
The publication circulated over 5 million copies at the height of its fame, in 1976, becoming a now world-famous brand. The Playboy Mansion, the former home of Hefner, who lived there until his death in 2017, was located in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, and became known in the 1970s for hosting lavish and lavish parties filled with celebrities and socialites. In addition, it was the address of all the man’s girlfriends, who performed reality shows, such as Girls Next Door, to pamphlet how it was
However, behind this whole idea of female empowerment, there was a dark – but predictable – facet of abuse, submission, extreme machismo, oppression, humiliation and all kinds of of psychological absurdities in an atmosphere surrounded by luxury, money and power of those who could exercise.
A beautiful facade
Hugh Hefner. (Source: Mural Cultural/Reproduction)
The story of an ambitious young man of just 27 years old, who quit his job as a writer at Esquire magazine after being denied a $5 raise, and who mortgaged the furniture of what would be his first marriage, borrowed money and used all his savings to publish the first issue of Playboy – is, to say the least, inspiring.
But Hefner’s journey in the industry, particularly in the involving women, is far less inviting or inspiring as the magazine gained independence and became a massive enterprise, particularly as the founder gained age and money.
The series of abuses and crimes reported in A&E’s 12-episode series, Playboy Secrets, shows that men understood nothing about women, only reinforcing the same structure of machismo in which they were socially raised and taught, despite having watched a lifetime for between the seams.
( Source: TN/Reproduction)
Holly Madison, who dated Hefner for 8 years, in period in which he lived in his mansion in Los Angeles and was part of the team of the famous Playboy Bunnies, revealed in the series and in his memoir, Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny , that the man freaked out and was violent simply because she decided to change her look by cutting her hair a little shorter than he liked.
Stefan Tetenbaum, who worked as The businessman’s personal valet from 1978 to 1981, claimed that women were prohibited from having contact with anyone other than him, even the household staff, whether male or female, since they worked for him and not for them. In addition, Hefner also treated them as if they were garbage.
The relentless pursuit
Holly Madison. (Source: EW/Reproduction)
In an interview for the series, Tetenbaum said that the women and employees were constantly monitored by cameras and microphones hidden by Hefner so that they would not say anything that could compromise them.
The siege was so big and serious that the man hired ex-cops to work in the mansion’s security, but most of them were detectives, who were attentive to any type of behavior considered suspicious or unusual.
Jennifer Saginor published the book in 2005 Playground: A Childhood Lost Inside the Playboy Mansion, recounting all the bad things he suffered at the Playboy Mansion during the time he lived there since he was 6 years old – because his father was the man’s personal doctor -, still having to deal with Hefner’s persecution to try to prevent people from knowing the truth.
To this end, he kept files on everyone for intimidation, always using money and privilege of his position to take advantage of it. “Many things were done to silence people and get them out of the way”, said Sondra Theodore, who dated the businessman for 6 years.
Among all that he suffered, Saginor had to deal with the indecent proposals of Hefner, who persecuted her when she was young, suggesting that she and his girlfriend have a threesome with him.
Seeking a cure
Miki Garcia. (Source: News Unzip/Reproduction)
All this and more problems have been going on for years , hidden by Hefner’s heavy protection system, the fear he inspired, and the cult atmosphere of his name.
At one point in the series interview, Madison even described life in the mansion like the one inspired by Charles Manson and his minions, who followed everything he said without question, while pretending to be one big happy family.
As Miki Garcia explained, Playmate and head of Playboy promotions from 1973 to 1982, due to the way Hefner surrounded women, many models overdosed or committed suicide.
“There was a moment in my life after I left the mansion that I just wanted to drown in the bathtub because I felt trapped in that cycle of misery”, confessed Madison.
(Source: Los Angeles Times/Reproduction)
She had to experience air and witness years of sexual abuse and rape among Bunnies who were persecuted by members of Playboy’s private clubs, as men could not touch them inside. However, they were “free to do as they pleased” once they crossed the exit door. Those who denounced the situation ended up being fired.
The series also exposed reports that Hefner was involved with films snuff (which show real deaths and murders ), zoophilia, necrophilia, and other types of bestiality involving sexual practices.
This amount of information generated a huge debate between people who think that women “attracted what they looked for” and others who saw them as true victims.
On this, Garcia took a stand: “I think Hefner should be known for the incredible work he did with civil rights, although he didn’t respect ours as women. Nobody is perfect, but his imperfections are monstrous”.
She even stressed that the man’s mistakes must be added to his legacy, now that women are free to talk about everything, despite none of them being healed of what they suffered. Garcia hopes the docuseries can somehow heal that wound for all women, including her, who spent years in the shadows, suffering and dying for what Hefner did.
