‘Deal Or No Deal’ Exec Speaks Out After Meghan Markle’s ‘Bimbo’ Accusation
May 31, 2023 by Maria Pierides
This article has been updated since its original publication date
A Deal or No Deal exec has finally spoken out about Meghan Markle’s controversial comments about her time on the show, seven months after she first made them on an episode of her Archetypes podcast.
If you’ll recall, the Duchess of Sussex, 41, was briefly one of the beautiful briefcase girls on Deal or No Deal between 2006 and 2007. However, she confessed on her Archetypes podcast that it wasn’t as glamorous as it looked, and she wasn’t actually fond of her time there – despite admitting that she was “grateful” to have a job that paid her bills – as she allegedly was treated like a “bimbo” and there was “little substance” to the job.
Meghan Markle’s Original Comments About ‘Deal Or No Deal’“I ended up quitting the show. I was so much more than what was being objectified on the stage,” the mom-of-two told Paris Hilton back in October 2022. “I didn’t like feeling forced to be all looks and little substance, and that’s how it felt for me at the time being reduced to this specific archetype: the word ‘bimbo.’ I was grateful for the job, but not about how it made me feel, which was not smart.”
Meghan went on to confirm that the role was “solely about beauty and not necessarily about brains,” and recalled that a woman kept telling her to “suck it in.” Meghan, who joined the cast of Suits in 2011, also briefly talked about some of her co-stars, saying: “By the way, I was surrounded by smart women… but that wasn’t the focus.”
It took them a while, but the show finally responded to the Duchess of Sussex’s comments. Banijay, which is the UK-based production company behind the game show, has now spoken out against the accusations in a new interview with Variety, published on Wednesday, May 24th, 2023. Chief content officer Lucas Green told the pub that he doesn’t really agree with Meghan’s comments about the NBC version of the show, as the company prides itself on “constantly evolving” and keeping up with the times.
“Do you agree with Meghan Markle’s comments that the Deal or No Deal briefcase models were ‘objectified bimbos’?” the pub asked, to which Green responded: “No, but we are constantly evolving the format so that it isn’t the same show it was 15+ years ago. A lot of work goes into modernizing our formats to ensure they represent our values as a company and wider society. The U.K. version for example, will continue to use members of the public from all walks of life to open the boxes [instead of models.]”
Back in October, when Meghan’s comments first came out, some of the Deal or No Deal briefcase girls who appeared on the show at the same time as Meghan responded to her ‘bimbo’ claims, essentially saying that Meghan’s version of events isn’t the same as their own.
“For clarity, yes, getting a modeling gig on a game show isn’t necessarily about your intellect, but every show the executive producers picked five models with the most outgoing and fun personalities to place mics on who they knew would engage with the contestants,” 50-year-old Deal or No Deal alum Claudia Jordan wrote on her Instagram Story after the Archetypes episode aired, adding that the show “never” treated the girls like “bimbos.”
“If you just show up and don’t engage — then you’ll just get your check and not get much out of it,” the Rickey Smiley Morning Show co-host continued, adding that it was a great “step on the ladder” for her career. “We got so many opportunities because of that show, Fremantle and @nbc,” she continued. “Oh, I almost forgot… it also led to me co-hosting the 2009 Miss Universe pageant with @billybush in front of half a billion people. Not too shabby for a ‘bimbo!'” The Celebrity Apprentice and Real Housewives of Atlanta alum went on to say that her comments weren’t an attack on the Duchess, but felt it was her duty to “protect” the show, especially host Howie Mandel.
“Lord knows I’ve been defending this woman in the media for years and I still will, but I just didn’t want any misunderstanding about the climate and environment on set,” she added. “And I’m especially protective of @howiemandel who was nothing but kind and respectful to all 26 of us.”
Donna Feldman, 41, also spoke out, telling the New York Post at the time: “You know what you’re signing up for when you’re hired as a ‘briefcase beauty.’ I have gotten opportunities in my career based off the way I look, but it’s my brains, personality and work ethic that help seal the deal and get me the job, and get clients to continue to hire me on a regular basis.” The Fashion House star added: “It’s up to a woman to decide what experience will empower her or use it as an excuse to seek attention.”
As expected, there were many, many social media comments following Meghan’s original comments, with one user saying back in October that she is “always the victim” and another asking, “Is there ever a time where she is not the victim of something?” “She always has to moan about something,” someone else wrote on Twitter, while another said: “She is quite literally a professional victim.”
“Oh gosh! Does she ever stop whinging and whining?” asked another Twitter user. “MM wasn’t forced into the role, she didn’t audition for Shakespeare now did she!” exclaimed another. “She took the money though….!” noted another.