Crystal Harris calls off wedding to Playboy's Hugh Hefner
The fairytale is over for West Bromwich's Crystal Harris, whose wedding to Playboy millionaire Hugh Hefner was called off days before they were due to tie the knot.
The fairytale is over for West Bromwich's Crystal Harris, whose wedding to Playboy millionaire Hugh Hefner was called off days before they were due to tie the knot.
Crystal, who grew up in Ye Olde Rose & Crown pub, Cape Street, was due to wed the 85-year-old on Saturday but is reported to have moved out of the Playboy mansion after a huge argument at the weekend.
Hefner said on the Twitter website: "The wedding is off. Crystal has had a change of heart." The US Press is awash with rumours, including the suggestion Crystal planned to ditch the Playboy mogul at the altar in font of 300 guests in return for a multi-million dollar media deal.
US TV network Lifetime was due to film the ceremony for a two-hour docu-special called Marrying Hef. There were reports she secretly saw the son of US talk show host Dr Phil McGraw, her songwriting partner.
Harris' manager, Michael Blakey, said reports were "absolutely incorrect" and "total fiction", adding: "I have no idea what happened. All I know is that it was an amicable break-up."
On her website she said: "After much deep reflection and thought I have decided to end my engagement with Hef.
"I have the utmost respect for Hef and wish him the best going forward. I hope the media will give each of us the privacy we deserve during this time."
Crystal, 25, was born a US citizen to British parents Ray and Lee in Lake Havasu, Arizona, where they were working at an England-themed amusement park.
The family moved to the UK shortly after. Crystal returned to America, settling in San Diego, California, with her parents and older sisters Melanie and Nikki, when she was 10 after growing up near West Bromwich Albion's Hawthorns ground.
She first met the Playboy founder at the 2008 Halloween party at thes Playboy Mansion and moved in within weeks. She worked as a model as she studied for a psychology degree, but quit after moving into the Los Angeles mansion. The couple got engaged at Christmas last year.
Since she has signing a record deal with Organica Music Group and released her debut single "Club Queen" yesterday.
The buxom blonde, said her love for music began in the pub, where her late father, Ray Harris, a singer and songwriter, would entertain the regulars.
She said: "My dad used to perform for the drinkers and I'd sing along with him. My mum says it's in my genes and that's why I'm embarking on a career in music."
Her mum Lee, 59, still lives in San Diego, but her father Ray died of cancer the year after they returned to the States. She insists she is not with Hugh for his fortune.
