Hefner's Fiancee 'Wanted $500k To Dump Him'

The woman who called off her wedding to Hugh Hefner had reportedly planned to ditch the Playboy founder at the altar in return for a $500,000 media deal.

Officially, 25-year-old Crystal Harris said she broke off her engagement days before the big day because she felt Hefner 's lifestyle was not for her.

But it is claimed she was shopping around for a big money deal to tell all after she had dumped the 85-year-old millionaire in front of 300 guests at their wedding.

The ceremony at the Playboy mansion in Los Angeles was planned for this Saturday and was to be filmed for a Lifetime TV special.

But while there was interest in a media deal, there were no offers near half a million dollars, it was reported.

A source apparently told the New York Post : "Crystal wanted to ditch Hef at the altar. Her plan was to walk up the aisle and say she couldn't go through with it.

"The wedding was to be filmed for a reality special, and her refusal to marry him would be a sensation.

"She was looking for a tie-in deal of around $500,000 for the exclusive 'I ditched Hef at the altar' interview.

"While there was interest, Crystal didn't get an offer anywhere near half a million."

Of her apparent plan, Harris' manager Michael Blakey said it was "not true, to my knowledge".

He said of their split: "I have no idea what happened. All I know is that it was an amicable break-up."

Harris herself told US radio host Ryan Seacrest: "Hef's lifestyle isn't the most normal lifestyle.

"This isn't the lifestyle for me, multiple girls around all the time, the Playboy lifestyle. I don't know. I just wanted to be true to myself."

She added: "I've been having second thoughts about everything. It all happened so fast, and they were going to air a show on it. It was all happening too fast for me."

Hefner tweeted : "The wedding is off. Crystal has had a change of heart."

Newly single, Harris said she is focusing on her singing and songwriting career.

The wedding cancellation could be seen as unfortunate timing for Playboy as its July issue hits newsstands this week, with the blonde beauty on the cover.

The headline is: "America's Princess: Introducing Mrs Crystal Hefner."