Crystal Hefner is happier than ever with new boyfriend James Ward

After her traumatic five-year marriage to Hugh Hefner, Crystal Hefner didn’t expect to find romance and have a ‘healthy relationship’ – but then they met James Ward.

“I have done a lot of healings that have been very necessary since the mansion,” Crystal, 38, exclusively reveals in the latest issue of We weekly while serving during her recent trip to the Cook Islands. “I didn’t know what it was like to be in a healthy relationship. Sometimes it feels strange. But I believe that as long as you keep working on it, your brain will rewire itself, and you can be in a very happy, healed place.

Crystal first came into contact with the marine biologist in Hawaii, where she moved after Hugh’s death in 2017 at the age of 91. Before meeting Ward, Crystal says she found dating challenging, especially when she lived in Los Angeles.

“Finding someone you get along with so well is difficult,” she explains. “And everyone has different things that they bring in.”

While in Hawaii, she and Ward, 41, were set up by mutual friends in April. After her friends told her that Ward is a “nice guy,” Crystal decided to meet him and the pair immediately hit it off over their shared love of nature. (Ward is not only a marine biologist, but also the owner of a boat tour company on the island.)

“It’s just been so beautiful ever since,” she says Us. “I’ve never felt like I’ve had anyone really protect me. And in this relationship I feel like I have a protector.

Crystal adds that her romance with Ward is very different compared to her relationship with the late Playboy founder. Not only are Crystal and Ward closer in age, but they also have “a lot of the same references” and want to make sure each other are happy.

“The relationship with Hef was more one-sided. Like I always wanted to make sure he was happy and that he had everything he needed,” she says Us. “I’m such a people pleaser, so I was always like that with Hef, like always people pleasers, to make sure he was okay. The mansion and the world revolved around Hef. So this is the first time I feel like it’s very reciprocal.

Ward, in turn, narrates exclusively Us that he didn’t follow Crystal’s high-profile relationship or her past at the Playboy Mansion. Ward is only focused on what the future holds for him and Crystal.

“It has been a great point of pride for me to nurture and encourage the next chapter, rather than really dwelling on the past,” he says. “I am happy to leave that chapter as a profound but closed chapter.”

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Since getting together, Crystal and Ward have enjoyed getaways to Los Angeles, Disneyland, and most recently the Cook Islands. The model shares that she and Ward “travel really well together” thanks to his “easy going” nature.

“I really want to be in the Cook Islands with him because it is such a romantic place. And here he is with him, there’s just a calm energy,” she tells us. “Everything just feels beautiful and extra special [when] there is love involved.”

For more information about Crystal and Ward, watch the video above and download the latest issue of We weeklywhich now contains 12 additional pages is now on the stand.

With reporting by Andrea Simpson