Once a symbol of glossy, airbrushed perfection, Kendra Wilkinson—Playboy’s golden girl turned reality TV fixture—has just delivered a masterclass in the art of the clapback. At 39, the former Girls Next Door star is rewriting the script on aging, self-worth, and what it means to embrace life in the spotlight without giving a damn about the haters.
Taking to Instagram on January 12, Wilkinson fired back at critics who dared to question her weight, her looks, and her lifestyle. She paired her words with a candid mirror selfie—no filters, no frills, just the unvarnished reality of a woman who’s grown out of society’s narrow expectations and into her own happiness.
“Yes, I’ve gained weight. Yes, I’m aging. Yes, I’m not that girl I was before (Playboy girl) 🤣,” she wrote in the caption, delivering her rebuttal with the confidence of someone who’s been through the fire and come out stronger. “But for once in a long time, I feel good and mentally healthy.”
From the Mansion to Real Life
Wilkinson’s journey from wide-eyed 18-year-old to self-assured businesswoman is a story of reinvention. She first landed in the spotlight in 2005, living under the velvet roof of Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion alongside Bridget Marquardt and Holly Madison. Back then, she was the quintessential “Playboy girl,” her life chronicled in all its glitzy, surreal glory on the E! hit reality show The Girls Next Door.
But life doesn’t stay frozen in airbrushed spreads. Kendra’s post-Playboy chapter has been defined by grit and hustle. Now a real estate agent with her own show, Kendra Sells Hollywood, she’s traded the mansion for the grind, proving she’s more than just a pretty face in a bunny suit.
“I’m Where I Actually Want to Be”
In her Instagram post, Wilkinson addressed critics with the kind of unfiltered honesty that’s become her trademark. “For those of you hating on my new weight, my 40-year-old face, please know that I’m happy, healthy, and at peace in life finally. Leave me alone and respect that I’m where I actually want to be,” she wrote, adding that her focus now is on balance—whether it’s cooking for her kids, hitting the golf course, or just living life on her terms.
Her kids, 15-year-old Hank and 10-year-old Alijah, are at the center of her world. Wilkinson made it clear she’s fully hands-on as a mom, juggling work, workouts, and parenthood without the help of a housekeeper or nanny.
And for those keeping tabs on her alcohol consumption? Wilkinson was refreshingly candid there, too. “Yes to the people criticizing my alcohol intake…I hear you and that will be monitored better. Drinking too much is definitely drinking too much,” she admitted, before teasing that her 40th birthday in June is likely to include a few celebratory shots.
Fans and Famous Faces Rally Behind Her
While some critics try to tear her down, Kendra’s clapback has struck a chord with fans and peers alike. Celebrity singer Meghan Trainor chimed in with a heartfelt comment, reminiscing about meeting Wilkinson years ago and praising her as “beautiful inside and out.” Podcast host Bunnie XO summed up the mood perfectly: “Anyone that’s remotely successful in their life doesn’t have time to tear another person down. Remember that, shug ❤️.”
Redefining Beauty, Redefining Success
Wilkinson’s transformation from Hefner’s arm candy to independent, grounded woman is more than just a personal evolution—it’s a rallying cry for women everywhere to embrace themselves, flaws and all. She’s living proof that beauty isn’t about clinging to youth or fitting into someone else’s mold. It’s about owning your story, your scars, and your damn cellulite.
As she nears 40, Kendra Wilkinson is living her best life—no filters, no apologies, and no patience for anyone who thinks otherwise. And for a woman who’s spent years navigating the spotlight, her message is loud and clear: she’s not just surviving—she’s thriving.
Last modified: January 15, 2025
