Pamela Anderson has recalled a harrowing experience in Hugh Hefner's bedroom that made her realize she "needed to leave" the Playboy Mansion.
The model-turned-actress rose to prominence in February 1990 after featuring in Playboy, which was founded by the late Hugh Hefner, who died at the age of 91 in 2017.
She starred as the magazine's Playmate of the Month and continued to make regular appearances, holding the record for the most covers by any individual.
The now-57-year-old star also made a name for herself as an actress, starring as "C.J." Parker on Baywatch (1992–1997), which further cemented her status as a sex symbol.
Back in 2018, Anderson candidly reflected on why she left her Playboy career behind on Life Stories with Piers Morgan.
She revealed that the exit was because "seven naked models| wanted to watch her have sex with Hugh Hefner at the infamous abode.
Explaining that it happened during the party, she recalled: "Everyone was naked in the grotto and the girls were downstairs and they all went upstairs," cited by Metro.
"I followed them upstairs," she went on. "I thought, “'What could be going on up here?' Seven girls, one at a time with Hef."
However, it was when she realized what was going on that she decided to leave before bedding the mogul.
"I was stood at the end of the bed watching them and then I realized they were watching me," Anderson explained. "I thought 'This is not a movie. I need to leave.'"
The bizarre experience didn't ruin her friendship with the controversial founder, who has faced many claims by former Playboy Bunnies, as she detailed how close they were in an emotional tribute post.
She shared in a now-deleted video that Hefner was the "most important person in (her) life" crediting him with kickstarting her career.
"Everything anyone loves about me is because you understood me. Accepted me and encouraged me to be myself,” she penned. “Love like no one else. Live recklessly With unfiltered abandon. You said the magazine was about a girl like me. That I embody the spirit you fantasized about. I was the one. You said," per PEOPLE.
Anderson also expressed gratitude to Hefner for being there for her family, including sons from her relationship with drummer Tommy Lee.
“I will miss your everything,” she concluded the post. “Thank you for making the world a better place. A freeer and sexier place. You were a gentleman charming, elegant, chivalrous And so much fun.”
She signed the tribute: “Goodbye Hef… Your Pamela.”