In the new E! docuseries, Dirty Rotten Scandals, some of the show’s models share their experience on the set of the popular game show, The Price Is Right.
The documentary featured interviews with the show’s first full-time Black model, Kathleen Bradley; former model Holly Hallstrom; and fellow model Claudia Jordan, who spoke out about the behind-the-scenes racism on the set.
Kathleen Bradley, who first appeared on the show in 1990, revealed she faced “raging” racism from fans, production members, and even longtime host Bob Barker. She also alleged that racist remarks, including the N-word, were used in production meetings when models weren’t present.
“I think people should know the truth…the good, the bad, and the ugly,” Bradley said.
L-R: Former Barker’s Beauties model, Kathleen Bradley exposing the behind-the-scenes racism of The Price is Right, and Kathleen Bradley (Right) pictured with fellow Barker’s Beauties, Holly Hallstrom; Courtesy of E! News
Hallstrom, who was a Barker’s Beauty model from 1977 to 1995, also spoke out on Barker’s alleged affair with model Dian Parkinson. She claims that they tried to hide the affair, but it became obvious when noting the pair regularly having sex in the dressing room during film breaks.
According to Hallstrom, as reported by PEOPLE magazine, she was somewhat surprised by the affair, considering that Barker had a girlfriend at the time.
Hallstrom alleged there were tensions caused by Barker’s alleged racism that contributed to tensions with co-star Dian Parkinson, particularly over her dating history, which included Black men. Hallstrom said that she had gotten a call from Barker’s girlfriend discussing Parkinson’s relationship with celebrities, including Black men.
Former Barker’s Beauties model, Holly Hallstrom, shares her experience in the two-part docu-series; Courtesy of E! News
“She said, ‘Oh my gosh, Bob has no idea that he’s had sex with a woman who has had sex with Black men. Bob has always said that Black men are the most diseased people on Earth,’” Hallstrom shared.
Jordan, who was the show’s second Black “Barker’s Beauty” in the early 2000s, accused producer Phil Wayne of making racist and sexually inappropriate remarks, including stereotyping her body and making degrading comments.
“Let’s make a reverse Oreo, Claudia; you get in the middle of the two white models,” she recalled him saying to her. “Or tell me I’m the ‘ass model’ because stereotypically, Black women have a larger behind—and I guess that’s why he wanted to grab and feel it.”
Claudia Jordan was a model on the American game show from 2001 to 2003, shared the racism on the set of The Price is Right; Photo Credit: Getty Images and Everett Collection
Jordan also claimed that discrimination extended to the contestants, alleging that the producers were seeking contestants who fit their preferred criteria. She said that only two black contestants were allowed at a time, by the direct order of Barker. They were marked with the letter B behind the scenes that was written on the card for Barker to know the race of the contestants that were about to come on down.
She claims the stereotypes were pushed on the show, portraying Black people in a negative way, like the overweight Black woman or the extra loud, ridiculous person.
She added that it was “pretty sad,” saying that Black contestants would try to hug Barker, and “he’d kind of shrink away from them.”
Dirty Rotten Scandal reveals a darker side of Bob Barker, the The Price is Right host 1972 to 2007; Photo Credit: CBS and E! News
Jordan eventually reached her limits, announcing her departure on-air in 2003 and subsequently filing a lawsuit in 2004 for sexual harassment and racial discrimination. She says the case was settled out of court.
Barker, who hosted the show from 1972 until his retirement and passed away in 2023, had these allegations denied by his longtime representative, who described him as a beloved figure and “the greatest MC in TV history.”
The docuseries adds a complex and controversial layer to one of television’s long-running shows, showing that even the most popular iconic TV game show platforms that were seen in many Americans’ homes can carry untold truths.
