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7 Surprising Ways Holly Madison Shields Her Kids From Her Playboy Past: Rainbow And Forest Rotella’s Life Today

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Holly Madison, the former *Girls Next Door* star and best-selling author, has successfully transitioned from the high-profile drama of the Playboy Mansion to her most important role: mother. As of December 19, 2025, her life revolves around raising her two children, daughter Rainbow and son Forest, a journey that involves a unique challenge: navigating conversations about her iconic, yet complicated, past. This deep dive explores the current life of her kids, the successful co-parenting dynamic with ex-husband Pasquale Rotella, and the surprising ways Madison is shielding her children from the more sensitive aspects of her early career.

The lives of Rainbow Aurora Rotella and Forest Leonardo Antonio Rotella are a world away from the reality TV cameras that once followed their mother. Now a dedicated author and entrepreneur, Madison has prioritized a stable, private upbringing for her children, who are growing up in an era where the Playboy brand is vastly different from its early 2000s notoriety. Her candid approach to motherhood and co-parenting offers a fascinating look at the next chapter for one of pop culture's most recognizable figures.

Holly Madison: A Complete Biographical Profile

Before becoming a mother and a New York Times best-selling author, Holly Madison lived a life that captivated millions. Born Hollin Sue Cullen, her journey from a small-town girl to a global celebrity is marked by major career shifts and high-profile relationships.

  • Full Name: Hollin Sue Cullen
  • Date of Birth: December 23, 1979
  • Age (as of Dec 2025): 46 years old
  • Place of Birth: Astoria, Oregon, U.S.
  • Education: Attended Portland State University (History and Theater)
  • Known For: Former girlfriend of Hugh Hefner, star of the E! reality series *The Girls Next Door* (2005–2009), star of *Holly's World* (2009–2011), author of the memoir *Down the Rabbit Hole* (2015).
  • Husband/Partner History: Hugh Hefner (2001–2008), Pasquale Rotella (m. 2013; div. 2019).
  • Children: Two, with Pasquale Rotella.
  • Other Career Highlights: Lead role in the Las Vegas burlesque show *Peepshow* (2009–2012), author of the second memoir *The Vegas Diaries* (2016).

Meet Rainbow and Forest Rotella: Holly Madison’s Children

Holly Madison shares her two children, a daughter and a son, with her ex-husband, entrepreneur and Electric Daisy Carnival founder, Pasquale Rotella. The couple's journey from a lavish Disneyland wedding in 2013 to their amicable divorce in 2019 has resulted in a successful co-parenting partnership focused entirely on their children's well-being.

Rainbow Aurora Rotella

Rainbow is Holly Madison’s first child. Her name, which Madison has defended as unique and meaningful, quickly became a topic of public discussion upon her birth.

  • Date of Birth: March 5, 2013
  • Age (as of Dec 2025): 12 years old
  • Name Meaning: Holly has stated she wanted a unique name for her daughter.
  • Current Status: As a pre-teen, Rainbow is reportedly focused on school and activities, with her mother keeping her life largely out of the spotlight to ensure a normal childhood.

Forest Leonardo Antonio Rotella

Forest is the youngest of the two children, completing the family. His birth was announced with joy by both parents, who were excited to welcome a son.

  • Date of Birth: August 2016
  • Age (as of Dec 2025): 9 years old
  • Name: Forest Leonardo Antonio Rotella
  • Current Status: Forest is reportedly an energetic young boy, and his parents are committed to providing him with a loving and consistent environment despite their divorce.

The Co-Parenting Dynamic: Madison and Pasquale Rotella

One of the most stable and positive aspects of Holly Madison’s current life is her relationship with her ex-husband, Pasquale Rotella. Despite their separation, the two have publicly maintained a strong, united front for their children, a dynamic that is often cited as a model for divorced celebrity couples.

The former couple has emphasized that they remain "forever partners and parents" and are fully committed to raising Rainbow and Forest in an environment filled with love and stability. This commitment is vital for the children, especially considering the high-profile nature of their parents' careers. Rotella, a successful music festival promoter, and Madison, an author and TV personality, manage their busy schedules to ensure both parents are actively involved in the children's lives. Madison has openly discussed the challenges and rewards of this arrangement, noting that mutual respect is the key to their successful co-parenting journey.

7 Surprising Ways Holly Madison Addresses Her Playboy Past with Her Kids

The most unique challenge for Holly Madison is explaining her career as a Playboy Bunny and her time at the Playboy Mansion to her two young children. Since the children are growing up in a post-*Girls Next Door* world, where the relevance of the Playboy brand has significantly diminished, Madison has developed clever strategies to handle the topic.

1. Making "Weird Excuses" About Her Fame

Madison has admitted that she often "makes up weird excuses" to explain her fame. Since her children, at ages 12 and 9, have no context for what Playboy was, she can avoid the more explicit details. She has stated that the kids don't understand the magnitude of *Playboy* because it doesn't exist the way it used to, making the conversation easier to control.

2. Framing It as a "Modeling Job"

For now, Madison simplifies her role as a Playmate. She has publicly indicated that she frames her time at the Mansion as a "modeling job" or a period where she was on a reality television show. This allows her to acknowledge her past without exposing her children to sensitive adult content prematurely.

3. Focusing on the "Reality TV" Aspect

The show *The Girls Next Door* is a major part of her past. Instead of dwelling on the relationship with Hugh Hefner or the nature of the magazine, she can discuss her time as a reality TV star. This angle is more relatable to modern children who understand social media influencers and reality stars.

4. Emphasizing Her Role as an Author

Madison's later career as a best-selling author of *Down the Rabbit Hole* and *The Vegas Diaries* provides a positive, empowering narrative. She can show her kids that her fame led to her becoming a successful writer, shifting the focus from her early life to her current professional achievements.

5. Controlling the Narrative Through Media Consumption

Like many celebrity parents, Madison is careful about what her children consume online and on television. By being proactive about their media exposure, she can ensure that the children hear the story of her past from her first, in a controlled, age-appropriate manner, rather than from an outside source.

6. Highlighting the Positive Outcomes

She focuses on the opportunities that came from her time in the spotlight—her successful move to Las Vegas for *Peepshow*, her ability to write two popular books, and, ultimately, meeting their father, Pasquale Rotella. This emphasizes the theme of growth and resilience.

7. Waiting for Age-Appropriate Milestones

Madison has stated her intention to be fully transparent when her children are older, but for now, she is waiting for them to reach an age where they can understand the complexities and nuances of her story. This is a common strategy for parents with public, complicated histories—delaying the full truth until the children have the emotional maturity to process it.

Holly Madison’s journey as a mother is a testament to her dedication to her children’s well-being. By carefully managing the narrative of her past and maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship with Pasquale Rotella, she is ensuring that Rainbow and Forest Rotella have a stable, loving, and grounded childhood, despite her celebrity status.

holly madison kids
holly madison kids

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