Crystal Hefner has moved on from her Playboy days, and she's now more authentic than ever.
The model took to Instagram this week to speak about how her life has changed since her husband, Hugh Hefner, passed away in 2017. That change isn't limited to just her relationship status but also her appearance and her social media following.
"After the last handful of years staying true to myself on social media, I feel that all the people here with me at this point actually care and are invested in my life in a positive way and for that I thank you," she wrote on Instagram. "Over five years, my account has shifted from not always safe for work posts to my REAL safe for work life. The real me. I was living for other people before, to make others happy, suffering internally in the process."
Crystal, who was married to Hef from 2012 to 2017, went on to speak about posting risqué photos to her social media — something she no longer does.
"Certain photos grow followings fast. In short, sex sells. I don't know whether I felt empowered by dressing scantily clad, showing cleavage, etc …or if I just felt it was expected of me or what… but now I can confidently and 100% proudly say, modesty is what empowers me these days, and because it feels so much better internally, it will probably be this way for the rest of my life," she wrote.
Hefner's widow added, "I removed everything fake from my body and deleted all my old photos. I am more authentic, vulnerable and feel that I belong more to myself. I am mine."
The 35-year-old also discussed her social media following decreasing after she began posting more modest pictures.
"I was watching the girls that had similar pages keep posting the same scantily clad stuff and growing exponentially while I tanked hard," she said, adding that there's since been a shift. "Most days the count is growing. Now my women followers are giving the men followers a run for their money. Now I truly feel I have an army of supporters that care and see an actual soul behind the lens. For that I thank you."
She later added, "I will make it my mission to try and help in all ways that I can while staying true to myself."