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Holly Madison soon discovered that beneath the glitz and glamor of Hollywood lay a much darker truth.
The former Playboy bunny returns as the host of Investigation Discovery's true crime series, “Lethally Blonde,” which explores real-life situations where beauty and fame collide with murder and scandal.
The “Girls Next Door” alum told Fox News Digital that she wants viewers — especially the more hopeful Los Angeles fans — to see the red flags hidden behind the allure of Hollywood.
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Holly Madison is the host of the true crime series “Lethally Blonde,” which explores cases involving women whose dreams of fame, modeling or success take a dark and sometimes deadly turn. (ID)
“I felt right away when I moved to LA that Hollywood was an unsafe place,” says the mother of two. “Being a 19-year-old from nowhere who just moved to LA, you get people coming up to you on the street wanting to accompany you and stuff like that. [You’re thinking]'Oh my God, danger is around every corner.'
Before she became a celebrity with Playboy and “The Girls Next Door,” Holly Madison was an aspiring model in the entertainment industry. (Ethan Miller/American Media/Getty Images for American Media)
“To me, when I went to the Playboy Mansion to have a pool party, to me that seemed like a safe harbor,” he admitted. “Yeah, when I go inside, it's more complicated than that. But I saw it as a safe harbor at first because I heard a lot of crazy Hollywood stories. And you just meet people off the street who you know have bad intentions. It can be a scary place.”
Holly Madison is seen with a parrot at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles on Aug. 23, 2006. (Hector Mata/AFP)
The 46-year-old, who grew up in Alaska and Oregon, dreamed of having a successful modeling career like Marilyn Monroe and Pamela Anderson. After settling in Los Angeles, Madison moved into the Playboy Mansion when she was 21 years old.
WATCH: HOLLY MADISON REVEALS HOLLYWOOD'S PERILS BEHIND GLAMOR
“I think what might have surprised me [about Hollywood’s celebrity culture] it was how deep the concept of the cult can be. I was definitely in trouble,” he explained.
After becoming famous with Playboy and “The Girls Next Door,” Holly Madison moved to Las Vegas. (Denise Truscello/WireImage)
“Obviously, being a little girl from a small town, I knew what it was like to watch anybody who was famous. They were really cool. [and you had] stars in your eyes. But I think I was surprised to see how widespread that thought was, even among people who had been in Hollywood for several years.
Holly Madison is seen here at the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, California, on June 21, 2007. (Chad Buchanan/Getty Images)
“I think [I was] I am amazed at how cult-like thinking can be built around one famous person or many famous people,” he commented.
Madison said that in the high-end entertainment industry, people chasing their big break will do anything to make it.
Season 2 of “Lethally Blonde” airs Mondays at 10 p.m. and airs on HBO Max. (ID)
“When I was on the Playboy show, I knew of a woman who lied about her age to get a background,” said Madison.
“And before the centerfold was published, he admitted that he lied about his age, so it was all over. But sometimes I think if you're a young person, you want this opportunity so badly, you can be willing to lie about your age. And inside, you feel like an adult, you feel like you can handle these things. Sometimes you can't.”
Hugh Hefner sits with Bridget Marquardt, Holly Madison and others at The Palms Casino Resort during Playboy's 50th anniversary. (Denise Truscello/WireImage)
“When I was young and first trying to break into the entertainment industry myself, you heard cautionary tales a lot, and basic safety advice,” he reflected. “But I don't think the power imbalance between the old people in power and the young people who want to be in the industry might become clear to you until you're older.”
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The TV personality shares two children with ex-husband Pasquale Rotella. (Denise Truscello/WireImage)
“You can notice it to a point when you're young,” Madison emphasized. “That's why I think it's important to share stories like this, so that people, young women, are aware.”
Madison was Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's girlfriend from 2001 to 2008, despite a 53-year age gap. Hefner was known to have multiple girlfriends at the same time – at one point, as many as seven.
Television host Holly Madison and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner are seen together in Madison's dressing room after Hefner attended the “PEEPSHOW” adult show starring Madison at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on July 18, 2009. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for BASE Entertainment)
She previously accused Fox News Digital that as one of Hefner's girlfriends, there are strict rules to follow, including a 9 p.m. curfew. Madison also said that all of Hefner's girlfriends had to maintain a certain appearance, and could not date other men or have their own house.
Holly Madison (right) moved into the Playboy Mansion in 2001 at age 21 and became Hugh Hefner's longtime girlfriend. (Robert Mora/Getty Images)
Madison left the Playboy Mansion in 2008. Eight years later, he published the memoir “Down the Rabbit Hole,” in which he alleged that he was verbally and emotionally abused for years while living there. He also repeatedly described the mansion as “like a cult.”
Before he died in 2017 at the age of 91, Hefner accused Madison of rewriting history. Madison continued to stand on her account.
On the 4th of Nov. 2005, Madison modeled a black Playboy Bunny costume designed by Roberto Cavalli at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas during the launch of Playboy's reimagined Bunny uniform. (Denise Truscello/WireImage)
Since leaving the Playboy Mansion, Madison has built a successful second act as a writer and podcaster, sharing candid insights about Hollywood and her experiences.
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Holly Madison has lived in Nevada for a long time. (Denise Truscello/WireImage)
“I think it's very difficult to reinvent yourself when you arrive at the scene with an outfit you'll never forget,” he said. “And 'Girls Next Door' was very memorable, and Playboy is very memorable. So it's very hard to go around and completely separate yourself from that.”
Hugh Hefner is seen here with girlfriends Kendra Wilkinson, Bridget Marquardt, and Holly Madison while filming Season 6 of “The Girls Next Door.” (Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal)
“I went through a phase where I didn't want to talk about everything in the past because I wanted to start over,” Madison said. “But I've just come to a place where I just accept it. I do what I want to do. And if other people want to think that I'm what I was in the past, that's fine. I'm going to do what I want to do.
Holly Madison is a prolific author, having published memoirs detailing her personal and professional journey. (Denise Truscello/WireImage)
“I would say my advice to anyone who wants to be creative is just do it yourself. Do what makes you happy. Be who you want to be. Don't let the past be a challenge on your shoulder. Look at it as other people's problem.”
Madison urges any woman who wants to pursue show business not to make hasty decisions.
Former Playboy Bunny Holly Madison rose to fame on the hit TV series “The Girls Next Door” about the Playboy Mansion. (Michael Bezjian/WireImage)
“Never be afraid to take the time to read the contract,” he warned. “Take your time. Especially if you're ambitious, there's a sense of, 'I need to do it now.' I thought I was young, but it doesn't hurt to breathe. And there are a lot of ways to break through these days. With social media, there are many ways you can build your content. So I would say take your time and follow what you think is right for you.”
Holly Madison is seen here during Bunnie Xo's “Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic” book tour at the Palazzo Theater at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas on Feb. 26, 2026. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
“I call it a high-level environment when you're involved in a certain type [situation] where there is a lot of competition, and maybe your looks and youth can get you more money or a better gig.
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Holly Madison was the host and executive producer of Investigation Discovery's “The Playboy Murders.” (Denise Truscello/WireImage)
“People can be really competitive. That brings out all kinds of jealousy and heightened emotions, which can play out in these cases. There are also all kinds of predators in the industry. So there are a lot of warning signs. … Some of these worlds can be very seductive, you don't really see it.”
Looking back, there is one thing Madison could have done differently.
“[I would have] they took more pictures and kept more receipts,” he said.
