Holly Madison has always had a "type," though she might be the first person to laugh about how drastically that type has shifted over the years. We’ve seen her navigate the rigid, hyper-controlled world of the Playboy Mansion and the high-energy neon chaos of the Vegas EDM scene. But for the last several years, the Holly Madison boyfriend conversation has been dominated by one name: Zak Bagans.
If you’ve been following along, you know it hasn't been a smooth ride. It was more like a paranormal roller coaster with way too many loops. As of early 2026, the dust has finally settled on what was easily one of the most private yet speculated-upon relationships in the reality TV world. Honestly, after six years of "are they or aren't they," Holly finally gave everyone the answer they were looking for.
The Ghostly End of the Bagans Era
For a long time, Holly and the Ghost Adventures star were the ultimate "if you know, you know" couple. They rarely posted photos together. They didn't do the red carpet circuit like most Hollywood pairs. But in March 2025, during an episode of her podcast Girls Next Level, Holly dropped the bombshell that she and Zak were "broke up for good, for good."
Why does this time feel different? Well, she pointed to one specific modern-day sign of the apocalypse: the mutual unfollow.
"We broke up and I mean unfollowed on social media, which we've never unfollowed each other before through all the breakups," she told her co-host Bridget Marquardt. In the world of 2026 celebrity dating, that's basically the legal equivalent of a signed affidavit. It’s over. The on-again, off-again cycle that lasted over half a decade finally hit a wall.
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What Went Wrong with the Haunted Museum Romance?
It all started back in 2019. Holly had recently finalized her divorce from Pasquale Rotella and took a trip to Zak’s Haunted Museum in Las Vegas. Talk about a meet-cute for people who love the macabre. They hit it off instantly. But while the connection was clearly deep—Holly even credited Zak with being incredibly supportive after her autism diagnosis—the relationship was plagued by constant splits.
The drama didn't end with the breakup announcement, though. In May 2025, things got a little spicy on Instagram. Holly posted a series of stories alleging that she discovered her ex had been unfaithful. She didn't name Zak directly, but given they had just split "for good" weeks prior, the internet didn't need a detective to solve the mystery.
- The Receipt Count: Holly started by claiming there were three other women.
- The Update: By the end of the day, she alleged the count was up to seven.
- The Costco Joke: She famously joked that some people were "cheating in bulk" while posting a photo of a Costco warehouse.
Zak’s response to TMZ was predictably brief, noting they hadn't spoken in months and wishing her the best. But for fans who had rooted for the Vegas-based duo, it was a messy end to a saga that many thought might actually lead to the altar.
Life After the Mansion and the Museum
To understand the Holly Madison boyfriend fascination, you have to look at where she came from. Her relationship with Hugh Hefner was a "Stockholm Syndrome" situation by her own admission. It was about rules, curfews, and pink bedrooms. Then came Pasquale Rotella, the father of her children, Rainbow and Forest. That marriage was a shift toward family and the EDM business world, but it ended amicably in 2018.
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Now, at 46, Holly seems to be in a "scorched earth" phase regarding her romantic life, and honestly? It’s kind of refreshing. She’s focusing heavily on the Girls Next Level podcast and dismantling the myths of her Playboy past.
Current Status: Single and Scrutinizing
Is there a new Holly Madison boyfriend in 2026? All signs point to no. She’s been vocal about how she’s "shell-shocked" by the revelations involving her last relationship. It turns out, that "amazing person" she thought she was with might have been a version she created in her own head.
If you're looking for the next chapter, it's probably not going to involve a celebrity ghost hunter. Holly has spent the last year being more open about her neurodivergence and how it affects her "social battery" and dating life. She’s prioritizing her peace, her kids, and her business ventures over finding a plus-one for the next haunted house tour.
Moving Forward Without the Lore
If you're keeping tabs on Holly's love life, here is the actionable takeaway: don't expect a reconciliation. The "unfollow" was the final nail in the coffin.
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What to watch next:
- Girls Next Level Podcast: This is where she drops the real tea. If there’s a new man, she’ll likely hint at it there first.
- Social Media receipts: After the May 2025 "cheating in bulk" incident, Holly has proven she isn't afraid to use her platform to set the record straight.
- The Vegas Move: With her kids and her life rooted in Nevada, any future partner will likely be someone who can handle the commute between LA and the desert.
Holly has spent years being defined by the men she stood next to—whether it was a publishing mogul or a paranormal investigator. In 2026, the most interesting thing about her isn't her boyfriend; it's the fact that she finally seems okay with not having one.
Keep an eye on her Instagram Stories for the most current updates, but for now, the "Holly Madison boyfriend" slot is officially vacant. And based on her recent "fantasy bored scenario" TikToks, she’s more interested in the "lore" of what happened than in starting something new.