Crystal Harris, the widow of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, is publicly asking actress Jessica Biel to reconsider her casting as Hefner’s wife in the upcoming film “Playmates,” directed by Lorraine Nicholson. Harris makes the request after Biel’s role announcement, posting an appeal on Instagram that says the portrayal should not “glamorize” Hefner.
Across outlets, Harris also cites her own experience with Hefner, describing sexual, emotional, and physical abuse. The reports identify Harris as having been married to Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017. Coverage frames the dispute as a concern about how the character is presented in a fictionalized account connected to the Playboy dynasty, with Biel’s participation now facing public scrutiny from Harris.
The outlets vary mainly in wording and emphasis—some highlight the personal abuse allegations, while others focus more directly on Harris’s plea and the film’s premise and casting. No source here reports a response from Biel or changes to the production, but the criticism places the movie’s portrayal of Hefner’s personal life at the center of the discussion.
