The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle opened up in her Archetype Podcast earlier this month about how she truly felt when she played the role of “briefcase girl” in Deal or no Deal.
AMP in the post
The “Suits” actress who had Paris Hilton as a guest on the podcast started by saying that was grateful for the Deal or No Deal job because it helped her pay her bills while she waited to get a slot in the world of acting. She, however, explained that she felt “objectified” in the show.
“I was thankful for the job, but not for how it made me feel, which was not smart. And by the way, I was surrounded by smart women on that stage with me, but that wasn’t the focus of why we were there.”
“I would end up leaving with this pit in my stomach knowing that I was so much more than what was being objectified on the stage. I didn’t like being 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” Said Meghan.
Howie Mandel — Howie’s Take On Meghan’s Opinion
Following Meghan’s remarks, the Duchess faced criticism from critics. A fellow former model at the Deal or No Deal show Donna Feldman told HollywoodLife that she doesn’t agree with Meghan’s remarks. Donna said, “During my time on the show, neither myself nor anybody else I worked with was ever treated as such, in my opinion,” Donna also added, “However, it’s important to note that everyone has their own experience, and I can only speak from mine.”
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Speaking with Us Weekly, Howie Mandel gave his take on Meghan’s remarks. Having been the host of the show from 2005 to 2019, Howie said that he understood what Meghan meant when she said she felt “objectified.”
Howie started off by saying that there’s never been a complaint about the show, “I’ve never really heard anybody complain, and I don’t think Meghan is complaining. I think Meghan just said she wanted to do more. It wasn’t fulfilling for her.”
Howie continued, “I don’t think she’s maligning Deal or No Deal. I don’t think there weren’t ever [any] complaints from any of the women. And unlike most shows up until that point, the ladies had more to do. They weren’t just pointing out gifts and opening [cases], a lot of times they were mic’d and they had their input.”
Howie Mandel — Howie Said The Same Feeling Made Him Leave The Show
Howie went on to explain that he completely understood what Meghan meant because as the host, all he had to do was put on a suit and be in the middle of the women.
AMP in the post
“I get it because — I’ve never said this before — but they had this pyramid of 26 beautiful, intelligent women standing there just staring at me like I was a piece of meat. I was in the center, just dressed up in a suit, and I felt like, I am more than this. And they would just look at me, and I had to do nothing.”
Continuing, Howie said, “So I don’t know why there is a big hoopla, except I have to say that me standing there with 26 women staring at me made me feel like a bimbo.” Howie also added that the feeling of wanting to do more made him leave the show.
“That’s why I’ve moved on and become a judge on America’s Got Talent, I just needed more than to be a Deal or No Deal host.”
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