Despite an inner voice warning her that something was wrong, she dismissed her instincts and carried on, a decision she now sees as part of the broader pattern of suppressing her true feelings to maintain her position.
Hefner’s relentless demands on her appearance further eroded her self-esteem. Crystal admits that she altered nearly everything about herself to align with Hefner’s ideals of beauty, losing her sense of self in the process. The pressure to meet these unrealistic standards was immense, leaving her feeling perpetually inadequate.
Despite her reservations, Crystal acknowledges the complex emotions she experienced, including a sense of gratitude for being chosen by such a powerful and influential figure.
Hefner’s legendary status and the unique lifestyle he offered were alluring, and Crystal felt privileged to be a part of it, even though it came at a significant personal cost.
In her conversation with E! News, Crystal also touches on the vulnerable circumstances that led her to pursue a relationship with a man six decades her senior.
She reveals that her father passed away when she was young, leaving her and her mother in dire financial straits. They were so impoverished that they had to live in a single room within another family’s home. This period of hardship left Crystal feeling insignificant and unworthy.