Fmr. Playboy Model Exposes Hollywood’s ‘Dark Underbelly’: ‘It’s Really Everywhere’ [WATCH]

Former Playboy model and television personality Holly Madison is speaking out once again about the hidden dangers she encountered during her time in Hollywood and at the Playboy Mansion.

Ahead of the season three premiere of Investigation Discovery’s true crime series The Playboy Murders, Madison reflected on her past experiences and issued warnings to women entering the entertainment industry.

Madison, now 45, left the Playboy Mansion in 2008 at the age of 29 after starring in the reality TV series The Girls Next Door.

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In an interview with Fox News Digital, Madison described Hollywood as a place with “a dark underbelly,” explaining that she sensed it early on after moving to Los Angeles at 19.

“There’s kind of an energy in Hollywood that I felt ever since I moved here,” said Madison.

“There are leeches looking to take advantage of and destroy you and use you everywhere… not just rich, powerful people. I’m talking about pimps on the street… people trying to bait and switch and get girls involved in sex trafficking.”

Madison said she initially viewed the Playboy Mansion as a relatively safer alternative, despite her personal discomfort with many aspects of the lifestyle.

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“It felt like almost the sanitized corporate version of sexuality,” she said.

“But it felt a lot safer to me to be living in this big, guarded house than to be out driving around in my car that’s ready to break down… I thought I was going to end up like the Black Dahlia or something. I thought Playboy was my safe haven.”

Madison, who authored a 2016 memoir titled Down the Rabbit Hole detailing her claims of verbal and emotional abuse during her years at Playboy, advised young women entering the industry to stay grounded and informed.

“Keep your circle of friends close,” she said.

“Hopefully, they can give you some level-headed advice or let you know if something seems to be getting a little out of control. And do your research… look at some of the cautionary tales before you just dive in.”

The first episode of the new season of The Playboy Murders, airing Monday at 9 p.m., focuses on the 2017 death of Kimberly Fattorini, a Playboy casting associate and part-time model.

Fattorini died at age 30 from a combination of alcohol, cocaine, and GHB—a drug commonly associated with date rape.

Madison said she was made aware of the case when Fattorini’s friends contacted her after the previous season aired.

“Everything about her story just looks so familiar to me,” Madison said.

“It was really scary to me because I feel like I’ve been in many situations where you’re just out with friends, and there are guys who don’t have people’s best interests in mind.”

A wrongful death lawsuit filed by Fattorini’s parents remains pending.

The suit names former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman, nightlife promoter Eli Wehbe, and model Monica Maass. All three declined to comment for the series and have denied any wrongdoing.

According to the show, text messages suggest Fattorini may have known she was drugged the night she died.

“It seemed like there was a lot of negligence and people around her who should have helped her and didn’t,” Madison added.

Asked whether Playboy should have taken responsibility or investigated the matter further, Madison said the issue was complex.

“Playboy was such a huge company with so many people working for it,” she said.

“I don’t think it’s so much Playboy’s responsibility, but somebody needs to be held accountable for sure.”

Now living in Las Vegas, Madison said working on the ID series has helped her reconnect with other women from her Playboy days who share similar experiences.

“It was healing to share my story,” she said.

“I felt like when I [went] out… people thought I had this magical relationship… but it started to feel like I was living a lie.”

Through the show, Madison hopes other women are empowered to speak the truth about their experiences.

“To see other people who went through similar things as me… to feel empowered enough to come out and tell the truth… it feels good.”

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