By Josie Goldberg
(The Hollywood Times) – 8/05/2026
Ever since Hugh Hefner (American Entrepreneur and publisher best known as the founder of Playboy Magazine) passed away September 27, 2017, his ex-girlfriend Holly Madison has been speaking about Playboy negatively. Holly starred in the hit reality tv series THE GIRLS NEXT DOOR on E Entertainment. Ms. Madison currently co-hosts the Girls Next Level Podcast where she revisits and reflects on her time filming the original reality series. A lot of former Playboy Models, Reality TV Stars & Celebrities, are sharing their casting story for PLAYBOY.
As an Entertainment Reporter I must be objective instead of being subjective to “hot topics”, so I am going to put my emotions aside and tell you the viewers of The Hollywood Times what really happened with my PLAYBOY CASTING STORY THAT WENT VIRAL.
Playboy had open calls at their studio in Santa Monica back in early 2000s. I remember walking in and while I was auditioning, I saw Holly Madison who was working at the studio at the time. I could tell immediately that she did not like me by her glare towards me. Not to mention, the secretary and staff also were not too fond of me. I was just coming off a reality NETWORK TV show were Executives loved me and my whole persona. I was very aware I was not going to round 2.
It was not a surprise, but I got a letter in the mail two weeks later, thanking me for coming in and rejecting my submission. PLAYBOY was a very professional company however, I believed it was a mistake as I stood at 5’10 and had a nice bosom and long legs. I knew that there was some interference.
WATCH VIDEO TO SEE HOW I GOT TO HUGH HEFNER!
The Photo Shoot:
Hef gave me his best photographer Stephen Wayda, and I was told I am testing for PLAYMATE! I remember driving to my shoot on a September day thinking, I am the luckiest girl to get this opportunity.
Stephen’s most famous shoots were with Pamela Anderson, Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Demi Moore, Claudia Schiffer, Jenny McCarthy and many more Celebrities for Playboy Magazine. This was my very first photo shoot. I watched Americas Next Top Model, and learned some poses from Tyra Banks & Miss Jay, however this was Playboy and when directed to do some sexy poses by Stephen, I literally could not move my ass, and it was hard to bend in various sexy positions.
Although I knew I did not make Playmate, Playboy called me and said that they saw me more as a Celebrity Pictorial. During my shoot, I was filmed and everyone on set said I am a character because I talk a lot compared to most models. I had so much fun, and I have never felt so beautiful and sexy in my life. It was one of the best days of my life. When the Pictorial debuted, my numbers went sky high as Playboy Cyber Club fans said I resemble Anna Nicole Smith.
I did get in trouble with my reality’s show production company as I was on a CONSERVATIVE family style network reality tv show. The lawyer called me SCREAMING and said how could you do PLAYBOY (SEMI NUDE).
However, when this Exec saw my sexy Playboy Pictorial, they had a change of heart, and they introduced me to Super Model Janice Dickenson as they (the production company) were producing her Modeling Show. I made a good introduction to both companies.
Hef invited me to some of his personal parties but made it clear he wanted no romantic or sexual relationship with me; it was strictly business. Hef did get mad at me one night when I met Dennis Hof who was the owner of the Chicken Ranch Brothel and had his own Reality show on (Cathouse on HBO) at one of Hefs parties. Dennis took a liking to me as I made friends with his Russian girlfriends as we started speaking Russian to each other. That was my problem, I love to talk to people and as a Playboy Model, you’re there too Model and not to entertain guests with your BIG personality.
I really did not fit in at Playboy. I remember standing in line for the bathroom at Hefs annual NYE party and one of Hefs Ex Famous Girlfriends was in front of me. I looked at her and asked why does Hef not embrace me or find interest in me like the other models? She said because you’re not like the rest of us, you will be Hef one day. You will create your own! I said you’re just trying to be nice, but in the meantime, I would like to hook my wagon to Playboy, enjoy the lifestyle, meet some of Hefs famous men, and do some more Photoshoots.
I spent about a year attending Hefs private parties and our personal events. Unfortunately for some reason I was not conforming to HEF’s standards and my career went in another direction. I got back on various tv shows and used my Playboy head shot for my castings which opened some of the biggest doors in the industry. I never looked back as went towards an amazing run!
I ended up using my Playboy Picture on the back of my Jockey Silks in California Thoroughbred Racing when I was grandfathered in by my benefactors. I also used the Playboy logo without permission, and no one ever objected. At the time Playboy was at its peak and I would have had to pay a lot of money. Basically, Hef could have put a stop to all of it.
I am not like Holly Madison, I believe Hef and Playboy were very fair to me. I look back and understand how my behavior was not conforming and if I had changed my ways I think I would have had more opportunities with Playboy. I was very immature and could not handle all the excitement and just was a young girl going for it with whatever felt right, without really thinking about it. My mentality was fighting or flight. Holly Madison was correct that it was a very competitive market. Looking back, it’s called IMMATURITY!
Many of the woman who posed for Playboy, went on to become famous models, actresses, and marry very powerful industry men. However, I made history in the history of Playboy to brand with Thoroughbred Racing. No BENEFACTOR bought any PLAYBOY model Thoroughbred Racehorses on its day that went on to win some big races at Hollywood Park and Del Mar Thoroughbred Racetrack in CALIFORNIA. I was told it was my “JOSIE LONG LEGS” AND the photographer Stephen Wayda Captured that in my Pictorial precisely.
When you pose for Playboy, you fill out an application, and you ask what your dream job would be. I said one day I plan on having my own talk show where I can relate to people around the world. My photoshoot was also filmed and is in the PLAYBOY ARCHIEVES. I hope PLAYBOY releases it one day.
I am “ONLY JOSIE KNOWS” and this is my Playboy Casting story as Holly Madison’s asks her guests on her PODCAST. I know she has spoken about me in various podcasts, but she has never invited me on her podcast. Thank GOD I have my own voice as your Entertainment Reporter at “THT” AND I finally have my platform.
