ENTERTAINMENT

Bridget Marquardt Urges Biel to Stay in Playmates

PUBLISHED Oct 16, 2026, 7:15 AM ET

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Bridget Marquardt, a former cast member of "The Girls Next Door," told TMZ that actress Jessica Biel should not abandon her role as Hugh Hefner’s wife in the upcoming Playboy film. Marquardt dismissed Crystal Harris’s public criticism, labeling Harris’s messages as attention‑seeking and unhelpful. Harris, who married Hefner in two thousand twelve and remained with him until his death in two thousand seventeen, urged Biel to reconsider her part, citing concerns about minors and her own abusive marriage. Marquardt believes Biel should keep the role, noting the character is fictional and not a direct portrayal of Harris or any other real wife. The debate highlights the tension between creative freedom and public perception surrounding Hefner’s legacy.

By Nathan B. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

2026-10-16 — Bridget Marquardt Urges Biel to Stay in Playmates

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Limited to entertainment community
Possible long-term US impact: Potential influence on film casting decisions
Most affected groups: Actresses, film producers, fan base
Reader priority: Understand casting controversy context

Explain Framing

Center: Coverage from TMZ frames this as a developing news story: Bridget Marquardt Urges Biel to Stay in Playmates. Reporting emphasizes verified facts, named sources, and near-term impact for readers. Left: Left-leaning desks covering the same development typically emphasize public impact, institutional accountability, and who is most affected. Right: Right-leaning desks covering the same development typically emphasize practical outcomes, market or security stakes, and institutional response.