Image Source: Rotten Tomatoes, The Daily Nexus

‘Secrets of Playboy’ premiered on 24th January 2022 on A&E and the audience got to see the inside of the world of Hugh Hefner along with some personal interviews with former employees, Bunnies, and ex-girlfriends that went ahead to share their experience at the Playboy Mansion and with late Hugh Hefner.

At the end of each episode of ‘Secrets of Playboy’ on A&E, there is a statement that reads, "This series contains allegations of wrongdoing over decades by Hugh Hefner and others associated with him. The vast majority of allegations have not been the subject of criminal investigations or charges, and they do not constitute proof of guilt."

Recently, PEOPLE reported that they received an open letter which was signed by the hundreds of former Playboy bunnies, Playmates, ex-girlfriends, and employees stating that the A&E’s ‘Secrets of Playboy’ series is wrong along with the allegations that have been made against late Hugh Hefner.

The open letter read, "We sign our names to support Hugh M. Hefner. From all we know of Hef, he was a person of upstanding character, exceptional kindness, and dedication to free thought. He demonstrated a commitment to living an honest life beyond everything else. Our time within Hugh Hefner's Playboy and the organization's subsidiaries remains a period all of us are fond of. I proudly sign this letter in recognition of Hugh Hefner's character amid unfounded allegations in the A&E show."

Kimberley Hefner who was married to Hugh Hefner for 21 years has also signed the letter and given a personal statement as well, "All people should be encouraged to share their individual experience in this world, but no one should be emboldened to re-write the truth at the expense of another person's character. What the allegers who speak out now seem to ignore is that there were many of us throughout the years who were there with them as well. I'm saddened, mostly, that these accounts take light away from true victims of sexual abuse, and hope that in time those selling lies to defame Hef find peace within their own lives.”

Kimberley Hefner and Hugh Hefner were married for 21 years. Image Source: Heavy 

Renee ‘Sloan’ Baio was also one of the girlfriends of Hugh Hefner after he decided to part ways with Kimberley in 1998. Renee lived at the Playboy Mansion along with Holly Madison from 2001-2003 has also signed the open letter but had a few things to say to the public as well. “I was there as Holly had just moved in right before me. I was there when she was moving her belongings into Hef's bedroom. Holly craved and eagerly longed to be the #1 girlfriend.”

Renee had also taken to her social media to address the issue with Holly Madison and wrote, "You chose to stay there. You chose to pose nude. You chose to do a reality show. You also chose to write a book. I never wrote a book to line my pockets with money. I moved on without condemning Hef, the staff, his friends or any of the other girls that lived there while I was there. If you're so hurt, give back the $1,000 of cash Hef gave you every week for seven years while you lived there. Along with your healthcare, car(s), car insurance, golf cart, weekly hair salon visits, weekly clothing allowance, weekly make up artists, and all the cash on your plastic surgery, room and board with butler service, maid service and high-end dogs. Holly, give it all back (to his kids) or shut the f--- up!"

Patsy Quinn Bowen who worked at the Atlantic Playboy Club said, "I loved working there. It afforded me a lifestyle I would never have had working as a legal secretary. Remember this is 1967! I met so many good people and have remained friends with some of them throughout the years."

Previously Hugh Hefner’s son Cooper Hefner had spoken in favor of his late father ahead of the documentary series and wrote, "Some may not approve of the life my Dad chose, but my father was not a liar. 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."

Playboy also issued a statement ahead of the series that read, "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. Today's Playboy is not Hugh Hefner's Playboy.”

A&E Network has defended their series in a statement, “The stories shared in ‘Secrets of Playboy’ are the personal experiences of the documentary’s participants and deserve to be told despite how difficult they may be for some to hear. Signatures on a letter, or a different experience with Mr. Hefner or the Playboy culture, do not negate the experiences of those who have come forward to share their truth on the series and we look forward to continuing to bring these stories to light.”