A MEMORABLE NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH HEF & FRIENDS

To start off my New Year, I’m taking a look back at one of my most exciting experiences. Any party hosted by Hugh Hefner is special, but the one Chuck and I attended in 2009 was one of the most memorable for me. Here’s hoping your NYE 2025/26 is special too and that all your resolutions come true this year!

You never forget a Hugh Hefner party and his 2009/2010 NYE bash at the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills was one of my favorites. This is one of the biggest nights of the year for Hef and, on this night, the Mansion shimmered in purple and green lights, buzzed with Hollywood stars (new and old), body-painted models and more. There was a sense of magic that only Playboy could create. And, believe me, this girl from Dupo, Illinois, had eyes like saucers experiencing this special brand of magic. Enjoy my recap of this iconic night. 

Here’s what happened at the Playboy Mansion’s New Year’s Eve Bash 2009/10

The moment we pulled up in front of the Playboy Mansion in LA and saw it decorated and lit up in deep shades of purple and green, I knew it was going to be a great party. The buzz started as soon as we walked through the front door and, when we stepped into the tented backyard with all of the decorations, it took our breath away. 

The tables all held fabulous floral arrangements, and the backdrop was eye-popping as well. It was Playboy at its finest….Hef looked terrific too and very happy with the Shannon Twins and Crystal Harris by his side.

There were lots of familiar faces….it seemed like everyone was a good friend of Hef, not just partygoers in general as in some year’s past.

I saw long-time Hef friend Hugh O’Brien in the room–looking much older on a cane but still dressed like Wyatt Earp. In the crowd were astronaut Buzz Aldrin and his wife Lois (just back from a skiing weekend in Deer Valley), Julie Newmar (who was slamming down jello shots–not a pretty look for Catwoman!), Lou Ferrigno (the “Incredible Hulk”), Kato Kaelin (who was proud to point out he had the same girlfriend, Amber, as he had at the last New Year’s Eve party).

Also there were Jane Russell (who’s 85 now with dark black hair), former Bears wide receiver Willie Gault, Jerry Buss (owner of the LA Lakers), Terry Moore (ex-paramour of Howard Hughes), Bridget Marquardt (looking very happy with boyfriend Nick Carpenter), Corey Feldman, Jose Canseco, Serria Tawan (Miss Nov. 2002), Dolores Del Monte (Miss March 1954), 25th Anniversary Playmate Candy Loving, Peggy McIntaggart (Miss Jan. 1990), 1976 PMOY Lillian Muller with her photographer boyfriend, Maurice Rinaldi, Cynthia Myers (Miss Dec. 1968), Julie McCullough (Miss Feb. 1986) and Victoria Valentino (Miss Sept. 1963) among many others. Even Hef’s high school sweetheart, Betty, was there!

The beautiful young servers and dancers were all body-painted and, if you recall, this is how Hef met Kendra. I think many of these young girls have similar dreams and when I asked one of them about the process, she said master body-painter, Mark Frazier, sends out a casting call to various agencies around town and then the girls audition.

But the final selections are made by Hef himself. We met a gorgeous, sexy girl, Kristy Ann, who has been body painted 4 times for Playboy parties….you can certainly see why!

She told me the girls make $400 for the event and this was her comment about the party, “I think this New Year’s Eve party was fantastic! More low key than most of the parties I’ve attended but that made it more intimate and exclusive.”

1954 Playmate Dolores Del Monte (who attends many Playboy parties) had this to say, “It was completely different from any I’ve been to in 12 years. It had a homey, family feel to it.” I agree on all counts….(Only 300 guests were invited to this year’s party.)

Nearer to midnight everyone took to the dance floor and a rap group took over the mics. The Twins and several other beautiful ladies took to the stage, began dancing, and then the balloons dropped.

Hef’s brother Keith was seen kissing a beautiful woman and all around there were tears and hugs. No one wanted to leave and the party lasted until 3:30 AM! Another year had passed at the Playboy Mansion and all was right in Hef’s world!

Welcome to 2010!

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Here are some great ideas for NYE this year! Chicago’s favorite lakefront destination is pulling out all the stops to bid farewell to 2025 and welcome 2026 in style. On New Year’s Eve, Navy Pier will transform into a hub of music, dining, family-friendly fun and festive revelry, capped off by its iconic midnight fireworks over Lake Michigan. From high-energy concerts and elegant parties to cozy lodge gatherings and early celebrations for families, there’s truly something for everyone at “the People’s Pier.” Check out all the offerings here on the website!

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I had such a great time chatting with the fabulous John St. Augustine (my podcast co-host/producer and so much more) who filled in for Joan Esposito on WCPT 820 Progressive Radio. Please listen here for the Dec. 26 segment.

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This year, Giordano Dance Company will honor Sandy and Lee Golub at its always-fabulous Studio 63 Legacy Ball. The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Ravenswood Event Center. GDC is America’s premier Jazz Dance Company, now in its 63rd year! Please join us! For tickets and more details, click here!

Not much else happening at this time of the year on the nonprofit front. I guess everybody needs a break- to rest, reassess and plan for all the exciting events coming in 2026. And you can guess who will be there to share all this fun with YOU!

Thank you so much for reading, subscribing and, hopefully, sharing Candid Candace, Chicago’s first and longest running lifestyle blog!

Love, as always,

Candace, Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. Please enjoy “A Christmas Miracle”…..