Hugh Hefner’s runaway bride ran all the way to Las Vegas to party on what would have been her wedding day, but not so far away in Los Angeles, the men’s mag icon was staying put inside his Playboy mansion and cozying up with an older woman, PopEater mediates.
Who is this rebound girl? Why, none other than Miss January 2011 Anna Sophia Berglund, who according to TMZ sources was spotted making out with Hef during a (had-to-be-very) recent movie night. “It’s clear Hef has moved on to Anna,” they say.
Anna is 24 days older than Hef’s ex-fiancee, 25-year-old Crystal Harris.
Friends of the famed publisher tell me that while Hef is “heartbroken,” you’d be mistaken if you think a guy like him is sitting at home (or in the grotto) crying while his ex celebrates in Vegas.
“The entire Playboy brand has been built on his shoulders,” a friend and fellow adult magazine insider tells me. “The image of an old man sitting at home broken-hearted is bad for business. Hugh knows that what’s best for the brand is for him to start dating again no matter how much pain he is in.”
On Twitter early Monday, Hefner told fans that getting left so close to the altar was actually a good thing. “After all is said and done, staying single is probably the best. I think I just missed a bullet.”
The day that they were meant to say “I Do,” Crystal was partying poolside at Las Vegas’s Wet Republic party with reality star Heidi Montag, loving the single life and waving at fans.
“I’m doing okay,” she said. “I just had to get away. Today is the day and I just had to get away. I’m going back tonight so I just wanted to get away for the day.”
Hugh’s ex-girlfriend, Holly Madison, blasted Crystal’s money-making trip to Sin City, tweeting, “That’s a new low. That’s disgusting and whoever booked her is tacky.”