Karissa Shannon, Former Partner of Hugh Hefner, Expecting First Child
Karissa Shannon, former girlfriend of Hugh Hefner, has announced that she is pregnant and looking forward to welcoming her first child.
During a guest appearance on Lisa Guerrero’s “Unleashed” podcast on Friday, August 28, the Girls Next Door star, aged 36, shared the exciting news: “I’m pregnant.”
Shannon expressed her excitement about becoming a mother, stating, “I’m seven and a half weeks along, and I’ve already had an ultrasound. My partner is thrilled too. It’s our first baby, and everything is unfolding just as I wished. This year is shaping up to be so perfect for me.”
Shannon revealed her gratitude for the pregnancy journey, sharing that it had been a “struggle” to conceive.
“We had been trying for a few months, but nothing seemed to happen. I kept taking tests, and they were all negative,” she reflected. “I began to think maybe it wasn’t meant to be for me.”
In pursuit of answers, Shannon visited a specialist and went through numerous tests, during which pre-cancerous cells were found in her cervix.
Reflecting on the experience, she said, “It was quite frightening and difficult to comprehend since I believed I was fine based on previous pap smear results. I’m glad my doctor identified it, but it highlights the importance of women being proactive about their health and seeking additional tests. If I had ignored it, I can’t imagine what the outcome might have been, or if I would even be pregnant now.”
Karissa and her twin sister Kristina Shannon were both in a relationship with Hefner, residing in the Playboy mansion from 2008 to 2010. They made appearances on the final season of Girls Next Door, which aired from 2009 to 2010.
After their time at the mansion, Karissa and Kristina, also 36, starred in various reality shows, including Celebrity Big Brother U.K., Botched, and Rob & Chyna. The twins stepped back from the public eye in 2017.
Last year, Karissa and Kristina opened up in a rare interview about their decision to step away from the entertainment world.
Karissa explained, “Kristina and I decided to relocate. Unsure of where to go, we chose to return to our roots and leave Los Angeles.” In an interview in April 2025 with People, she added, “We sold the beauty salon we owned, saying, ‘Let’s get out of here and lead a simpler life. Let’s focus on our healing.’”
The sisters ultimately found new beginnings in Michigan.
Kristina remarked, “I believe God was humbling us through this experience. He was guiding us and showing us that ‘I have a different plan for you.’ We feel restored, and even though we’ve changed, we remain true to ourselves.”
