Pamela Anderson was favorite playmate, hands down. So, when Playboy announced in October 2015 it would no longer feature entirely nude models, it wasn't surprising they chose Ms. Anderson for the final cover published in December the same year.
Many stars have turned down heaps of cash and the unrivaled exposure of being a Playboy Playmate - Jen Aniston, Kate Hudson, Katy Perry. For them, it wasn't worth the risk to their reputation. After all, they have relatively squeaky-clean images. But for celebs who are willing to literally expose themselves to utter scrutiny, being a centrefold can launch a career. Sometimes, the already famous do it for a much-needed boost to an ego fractured by Hollywood life.
The women listed below are beautiful, yet Hefner denied them entry into his exotic and twisted universe. So, what does Playboy look for in a centrefold? Apart from the obvious physical requirements, the models have to be masters of seduction and completely comfortable in their bodies. Over-augmentation is taboo, and a single negative personality trait is a strike against them. It's understandable, then, why a few celebs on this list were snubbed - it had nothing to do with their looks and everything to do with their lifestyle and personal choices.
10 Kelly Osbourne
Kelly's as versatile as she is dynamic - actress, singer, model, and fashion designer. After starring with her family on the two-time Emmy-winning reality show The Osbournes (2002 – 2005), Rolling Stone declared she emerged "a wickedly funny, brutally honest, pint-size, potty-mouthed spitfire." Unfortunately, Kelly also developed an interest in drugs. Shock rocker Ozzy's daughter has seven rehabs under her belt.
In the midst of that, in 2006, the now pink-haired beauty expressed interest in doing a spread in Playboy. Hugh Hefner responded, "I can't see it happening somehow–we don't airbrush to that extent." Pity because Kelly's got it all together now!
9 Shirley Jones
In the free-loving 60s, Shirley Jones donned a fluffy tail and floppy ears when she worked at a Playboy Club. The rules were different back then, and it didn’t seem to ruin her stellar reputation. She went on to play the ‘mom next door’ who travelled the country with her musical kids on The Partridge Family in the ‘70s.
At 75, Shirley posed for 300 test shots, baring only her legs and cleavage in an 1800s French boudoir layout. Before the shoot, Marty Ingels, Shirley’s husband and manager, said, “She's still drop-dead gorgeous…a natural beauty.” Hugh nixed the pics, saying Ms. Jones didn’t reveal enough skin. She said she wouldn’t do it under any circumstances. They wanted more flesh – at 75…
8 Montana Fishburne
Montana Fishburne had thought about entering the entertainment industry since she was 16, but not in the way her Academy Award-nominated dad, Laurence, hoped. Instead, inspired by Kim Kardashian's 2007 sex tape released by Vivid, Montana signed a deal to become an actor in adult films, reportedly earning a whopping $250 K for one movie (stage name "Chippy D"). Naturally, this didn't sit well with Daddy Fishburne and caused a nasty rift in their relationship. Simply put, Laurence was embarrassed.
Montana did nude test shots for Playboy in 2010 at 19. But she didn't meet Hugh's standards, and her spread never went to print, which likely made Mr. Fishburne very happy.
7 Kate Gosselin
This reality television mom of eight dominated the tabloids in 2010, eventually earning the rep of a challenging, demanding Diva. On the cover of their April 2010 issue, Life & Style Magazine featured Kate with the headline, "Out of Control Monster", and a picture that likely made her blow a gasket.
When she asked Playboy if she could pose nude for the magazine, Hugh replied with insults and a definitive, "No!" Heff also stated he doesn't understand why Gosselin is even on Dancing with the Stars, saying, "I don't think she's a celebrity." Ouch!
6 Audrina Partridge
Audrina isn't known for her sharp mind, but she is the queen of the blank stare. So, it's probably a good thing she's beautiful. Before sharing the screen with Heidi, LC, and Whitney on The Hills, Audrina had some nude pics taken to submit to Playboy. Unfortunately, they were "leaked" online without her consent in March 2008.
Hefner declined her portfolio, stating it didn't capture their interest. Ms. Partridge countered she didn't want them submitted to the magazine at all. Something doesn't mesh. Is she telling the truth? Or, is her claim as empty as her gaze?
5 Bridget Marquardt
This lovely lady attempted to get the coveted centrefold of Playboy several times, but never did. The reasons are unknown, but Bridget never gave up, and her story has a somewhat happy ending. Instead, Hefner moved her into his exclusive mansion to appear on the reality show Girls Next Door as one of his girlfriends, along with Holly Madison and Kendra Wilkinson. Although this meant Bridget had to stay in the mansion longer than any girl probably should, it led to her own reality show, so she boosted her brand name without removing all her clothes.
Eventually, Bridget got her wish, and she posed with Holly and Kendra in 3 cover pictorials.
4 Debbie Harry
Like Shirley Jones, Debbie Harry worked as a Bunny Hostess in a London Playboy club in her youth. When she tried out for the magazine, Hefner refused because he thought she was too skinny. Not deterred from the entertainment industry, Debbie made music instead. In 1974, with guitarist Chris Stein, she formed Blondie, a new wave act that played many of the legendary clubs in New York City.
Debbie has sold 40 million albums and is still going strong. Today, Ms. Harry is worth an estimated $30 Million and has the last laugh.
3 Michaele Salahi
The self-described former model and White House state dinner crasher had many erotic photos done, but didn’t make it into the magazine. The Real Housewives of DC star was reportedly told by email that Playboy didn’t have an upcoming cover or spread suitable for her. Instead, the publication offered to put her on their website, which never happened.
Like many reality TV celebs, Michaele wasn’t happy with only 15 minutes of fame, so in September 2011, she ran off with Neal Schon, guitarist for the rock band Journey. They are still married and living in San Francisco.
2 Lindsay Lohan
It’s hard to fathom the cute little girl from The Parent Trap baring it all for a men’s magazine, but a lot has happened to Lindsay since then. Her battle with addiction and stints in rehab have been front-page tabloid fodder for years. But, Heff paid Lindsay $1 Million to pose for Playboy in 2011, proving her star power. Unfortunately, the editors weren’t happy, and she had to go back for a second shoot. In addition, Ms. Lohan has a reputation of being unreliable (likely due to her addiction) and missed a flight to do a promo on a TV show.
But, Lindsay worked hard at getting it together and in April 2020, she dropped her first single in more than a decade. “Back to Me” is about facing her past and coming to terms with it.
1 Britney Spears
Like Lindsay Lohan, Britney entered show business as a child on The Mickey Mouse Club. At the beginning of her music career, she displayed a wholesome image that quickly became more provocative. She could have been on the cover of any magazine at the height of her fame. But after countless incidents like her botched performance at the MTV Video Awards, and the many revealing pics the paparazzi took, her stock went down. Playboy initially offered $400 K to do the dirty deed, but she demanded $1 Million, which other celebrities of her calibre earned. Hugh reportedly said until she got her life together, she wouldn’t be in his magazine.
Britney’s back in the news again, this time over her conservatorship. She’s fighting to get her life turned around, and it’s a shame Mr. Hefner isn’t here to witness it.