Downfall of iconic Playboy mannequin left homeless as life ‘fell aside’
Kourtney Reppert was one of the Playboy Mansion’s biggest names throughout the 2000s, but was made homeless after a devesating 2018 wildfire totally destroyed her California home, setting her onto a path of rediscovery
Reppert fell on tough times in 2018(Image: kourtneyreppert/Instagram)
In her heyday as a model, Kourtney Reppert was one of Playboy’s biggest and most successful names. A consistent appearance maker in the iconic magazine throughout the 2000s, Reppert lived the high life inside Hugh Hefner’s iconic Playboy Mansion, partying with A-listers and enjoying all the luxuries one could imagine.
Fast forward a decade or so and 39-year-old Reppert’s life is totally different. Having fallen on tough times that would at one point lead her to becoming homeless, Reppert is now keen to tell other models that nothing lasts for ever, and a career based on looks can be difficult to sustain as you get older.
“You’re valued for how you look, not who you are. And when that’s the foundation of your identity, it’s incredibly fragile”, she explained to the Daily Mail.
“People assume being beautiful means being secure. It doesn’t. Beauty fades, trends change, and if that’s all you’ve invested in, you’re left vulnerable.”
Reppert experienced just how fragile the lifestyle of a model can be when, after seeing her California home destroyed by wildfires in 2018, she was made homeless.
She said: “I had to start again with nothing. No safety net. No brand. No plan. Just resilience.”
For months, Reppert was unable to get a new home, and spent her time hopping between cheap hotels and staying with friends.
Following this difficult period, Reppert described how suffering hardships allowed her to widen her perspective in life, pushing her towards a new path focussed on helping others.
She’s especially keen to help the young models of today diversify their revenue streams and learn that they have values outside of their looks.
“The idea that you choose one path at 18 and stick to it forever is unrealistic” she said.
“Especially for women, who often have career breaks, caregiving responsibilities or industries that simply don’t last.”
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