Playboy responds to A&E's Secrets of Playboy by denouncing Hugh Hefner's "abhorrent actions"

People

The iconic adult magazine for men that Hefner founded in 1953 released an open letter in advance of tonight's premiere of Secrets of Playboy, emphasizing that "the Hefner family is no longer associated with Playboy, and today’s Playboy is not Hugh Hefner’s Playboy." The 10-part docuseries featuring interviews with several of Hefner's staff, inner circle and past girlfriends promises to break down barriers and expose the "more sinister reality" of Playboy, exploring how the Playboy "machine was a powerful force that, at its worst, manipulated women in a toxic environment, silencing their voices, pitting them against one another, and opening the door to sexual predators." In its open letter, "The PLBY Group Leadership Team" said: "We want to reach out to you in light of the forthcoming A&E docuseries that we understand will recount allegations of abhorrent actions by Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and others. First and foremost, we want to say: we trust and validate women and their stories, and we strongly support the individuals who have come forward to share their experiences. As a brand with sex positivity at its core, we believe safety, security and accountability are paramount, and anything less is inexcusable. As you know, the Hefner family is no longer associated with Playboy, and today’s Playboy is not Hugh Hefner’s Playboy. Today, our organization is run by a workforce that is more than 80% female, and together we are building upon the aspects of our legacy that have made a positive impact, including serving as a platform for free expression and a convener of safe conversations on sex, inclusion and freedom. We will continue to confront any parts of our legacy that do not reflect our values today, and to build upon the progress we have made as we evolve as a company so we can drive positive change for you and our communities." Meanwhile, Cooper Hefner is defending his father in response to Secrets of Playboy: "Some may not approve of the life my Dad chose, but my father was not a liar," tweeted Cooper Hefner, who left Playboy in 2019. "However unconventional, he was sincere in his approach and lived honestly. He was generous in nature and cared deeply for people. These salacious stories are a case study of regret becoming revenge."