Hugh Hefner Desperately Wanted Britney Spears on the Cover Of ‘Playboy’

Jeez, more about Hugh Hefner. The guy has been getting more press since he died than he has in at least ten years. Turns out old Hef was obsessed with getting Britney Spears on the cover of Playboy. You know, back before she chubbed out and shaved her head. Maxim reported that Hef was single-minded in his pursuit of Spears.

Parker introduced Hefner to others but he was like a dog with bone. “I want Britney for the cover,” he reportedly said, “I don’t want anyone else. I want Britney or no one! Get her to do it. It would sell like crazy.”

Even though Spears’ manager made noises like she was interested, it never happened.

I’m kind of fascinated by all these stories about Hefner that have been rolling out since he died. While it’s a shame to hear about what a jerk he was, this story is very much in keeping with his reputation as a shrewd business man. Having Britney Spears on the cover of Playboy fifteen years ago would have been almost as big a deal as having Marilyn Monroe on the cover of the first issue was. People still get excited over the prospect of sex tapes featuring Spears, which seem to be constantly rumored but never actually appear. And I mean, who saw that video for “… Baby One More Time” and didn’t want to see Britney naked? No one I’ve ever met, that’s for sure.