Jillian Lauren is an American writer, performer, adoption advocate, and former call girl for Jefri Bolkiah, the Prince of Brunei. She has written several books, including the memoir Some Girls: My Life in a Harem, which details her time in the prince's harem. The book has been translated into 18 languages and is a New York Times bestseller. Given the nature of the content and the fact that it is classified as non-fiction, it can be assumed that Lauren's story about her experiences in Brunei is true.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name of Author | Jillian Lauren |
Name of Book | Some Girls: My Life in a Harem |
Year of Publication | 2010 |
Genre | Memoir, Autobiography |
Main Theme | Jillian Lauren's experiences as a harem member of Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei |
Other Themes | Lauren's life before joining the harem, her relationship with the prince, the lives of other harem members, the sultan of Brunei, shopping sprees, parties, and sexual encounters |
Notable Characters | Prince Jefri Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, Fiona (a Filipino ex-television star), Shannon Marketic (former Miss USA), Rebecca Ferratti (Playboy playmate) |
Narrative Style | First-person account, reflective, vivid details |
Reception | Positive reviews for writing style, storytelling, and insight into a unique world; negative reviews for lack of depth, poor writing, and glorifying prostitution |
What You'll Learn
Jillian Lauren's journey from stripper to harem member
At 18, Lauren was offered an audition for a mysterious job with a "casting director" who told her about a rich Singaporean businessman who would pay pretty American girls $20,000 for two weeks of entertainment. Intrigued by the prospect of adventure and money, she accepted the offer and found herself on a plane to Borneo.
Upon her arrival, Lauren was accommodated in a luxurious palace with opulent furnishings and gold-laced rugs. She was one of 40 young, attractive women hired for short-term contracts, typically lasting three weeks, to entertain Prince Jefri Bolkiah, the brother of the Sultan of Brunei. The women were expected to attend parties and keep the Prince and his friends company. They were paid handsomely, with Lauren earning a total of about $300,000 during her time in Brunei.
Lauren quickly worked out the hierarchy within the harem and became the Prince's second favourite girlfriend. She travelled with him and even met the Sultan in person. However, she also experienced the cut-throat competition among the women, who would backstab each other to gain favour with the Prince. Despite the rivalry, Lauren managed to form a friendship with Fiona, a former TV actress from the Philippines, who was the Prince's first favourite.
After about 18 months in the harem, Lauren returned to the US. Her experiences in Brunei inspired her to write her first memoir, "Some Girls: My Life in a Harem," which became a New York Times bestseller. She has since gone on to write several other successful books, including true crime and fiction.
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The hypocrisy of the Sultan of Brunei
Jillian Lauren's story
Jillian Lauren, an American writer, performer, adoption advocate, and former call girl for Jefri Bolkiah, the Prince of Brunei, wrote a memoir titled "Some Girls: My Life in a Harem" about her time in the prince's harem. In her book, she details her journey from stripper to harem member, and how she was driven by insecurities, a need for money, and a thirst for adventure.
The Sultan of Brunei
The current Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world. He has been the Sultan since 1967 and the prime minister of Brunei since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He is also the head of government and holds several other ministerial portfolios.
The hypocrisy
In 2014, the Sultan declared the implementation of strict Islamic criminal penalties, including flogging, amputation of limbs, and death by stoning for crimes such as abortion, adultery, and same-sex relationships. These laws sparked international outrage and were seen as a violation of human rights. The Sultan's decision to implement these laws can be considered hypocritical as it exempts him from being punished by the same laws. While the laws affect the rakyat (people) of Brunei, a clause states that the law cannot affect the prerogative rights of the Sultan, meaning he cannot be prosecuted in his personal or official capacity.
In response to the international backlash, the Sultan announced that he would extend a moratorium on the death penalty for homosexuality and ratify the United Nations Convention Against Torture. However, the first phase of the Sharia penal code, which includes fines and imprisonment for offenses such as failure to attend Friday prayers and consuming alcohol, remains in place.
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How the Sultan of Brunei violated his Sharia Law with Jillian
Jillian Lauren, an American writer, performer, adoption advocate, and former call girl, has written about her experiences as a harem member of the Sultan of Brunei's brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah. In her memoir, "Some Girls: My Life in a Harem," and an article in The Daily Beast, she details how the Sultan violated his own Sharia Law during their affair.
Firstly, it's important to understand the context of Jillian's story. At the age of 18, she attended a "casting call" in New York, which led to her being invited to Brunei as a guest of the notorious playboy Prince Jefri Bolkiah. She spent about a year as his girlfriend, attending lavish parties and living a life of luxury. However, she also experienced loneliness, humiliation, and the constant power dynamics among the women in the harem.
Now, let's explore how the Sultan of Brunei violated his Sharia Law with Jillian. In her writings, Jillian alleges that the Sultan's brother, Prince Jefri, "gave" her as a gift to the Sultan. This act of exchanging women as gifts itself can be seen as a violation of human dignity and rights. During her time with the Sultan in a Kuala Lumpur penthouse, they committed at least two offenses under his newly implemented penal code. These offenses included adultery and alcohol consumption, as drinking was not legal in public in Brunei.
Jillian reflects on her time in Brunei with a sense of privilege and acknowledges that she was not a prisoner. However, she also highlights the restrictions on her freedom, such as not being able to come and go as she pleased. She describes the experience as both glamorous and demoralizing, showcasing the complex dynamics of power and privilege within the harem.
In conclusion, Jillian Lauren's story of her time in the harem of the Sultan of Brunei's brother and her affair with the Sultan himself reveals a violation of his Sharia Law. While she acknowledges the privileges she experienced, she also highlights the internal struggles and the limitations on her freedom. Her story provides a unique perspective on the complex dynamics within the harem and the contradictions between the Sultan's public laws and his private actions.
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Jillian's experience of Stockholm Syndrome
Jillian Lauren's memoir, *Some Girls: My Life in a Harem*, chronicles her time in the harem of the Prince of Brunei, Jefri Bolkiah. In the book, she describes how she was recruited into the harem at the age of 18, leaving behind her life in New York City to spend 18 months in Borneo.
While in the harem, Lauren experienced what could be described as Stockholm Syndrome, a psychological condition where hostages develop a bond with their captors. She writes about the "unhealthy attachment" she formed with the Prince, who she describes as "powerful, charismatic, but bored, spoiled, sex-addicted and emotionally sadistic". She became his second favourite girlfriend and shared his bed, even though he had three wives and numerous other girlfriends.
In her book, Lauren describes the complex dynamics within the harem, where the women were in constant competition with each other to gain the Prince's attention and favour. She also writes about the lavish lifestyle she experienced, including the opulent palace, expensive jewellery, and extravagant shopping sprees.
Despite the rivalry and toxic environment, Lauren describes developing positive feelings towards the Prince and a sense of power from her position as his companion. This could be indicative of Stockholm Syndrome, where captives develop sympathy for their captors and their goals, and negative feelings towards the authorities.
However, it is important to note that Stockholm Syndrome is considered a "contested illness" due to doubts about its legitimacy. It is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and is seen by some as a way to discredit the experiences of victims, particularly women.
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The outrageous shopping sprees
Jillian Lauren's memoir, *Some Girls: My Life in a Harem, details her time in the
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Frequently asked questions
No, Jillian Lauren's story about her time in Brunei is true. Her memoir, "Some Girls: My Life in a Harem", chronicles her experiences as a member of the harem of Prince Jefri Bolkiah, the brother of the Sultan of Brunei, between 1992 and 1995.
Jillian Lauren's book, "Some Girls: My Life in a Harem", provides an autobiographical account of her time as one of the paid young female "guests" of Prince Jefri Bolkiah. It details the arrangements for young female guests, which included luxurious accommodations, limited access to places outside the royal estate, and expectations to attend parties and entertain the prince and his friends.
Jillian Lauren is an American writer, performer, adoption advocate, and former call girl. She grew up in Livingston, New Jersey, and studied acting at New York University before dropping out and becoming a stripper and later an elite call girl. She is also a regular storyteller with The Moth and has performed at numerous spoken word and storytelling events across the United States.