Months after Meghan Markle spoke out about feeling objectified during her time as a briefcase model on the popular game show Deal or No Deal, Lucas Green, the chief content officer at Banijay, the company that owns the format, has refuted her accusations.
In an interview with Variety published on May 24th, Green responded to Markle’s claims, stating that the show has evolved over the years and no longer treats its models in the same way.
When asked about Meghan’s assertion that the briefcase models are objectified, Green firmly denied it, saying, “No, but we’re constantly evolving the format so that it isn’t the same show it was 15 plus years ago.”
He emphasized that a lot of effort goes into modernizing their formats to align with the company’s values and reflect the wider society.
The UK version of the show, for example, will continue to feature members of the public from diverse backgrounds as the briefcase models.
Rumors had circulated that Meghan was removed from the show after just nine days due to her allegedly becoming too friendly with host Howie Mandel, which led to his wife Terry Mandel intervening.
However, these rumors remain unconfirmed.
Meghan’s revelations about her experience on Deal or No Deal made headlines in October 2022 when she discussed it on the Archetypes podcast.
She expressed her dissatisfaction with how the show treated her, stating that she felt like a “bimbo” and disliked being reduced to a superficial archetype.
According to Meghan, the models were expected to conform to a specific beauty standard and even received spray tan vouchers each week.
However, Meghan faced backlash from her former cast members who appeared on the show.
Model Claudia Jordan disputed Meghan’s claims, asserting that the show never treated them as bimbos and actually provided them with numerous opportunities.
Jordan explained that the selection process focused on choosing models with outgoing and fun personalities to engage with contestants.
Another co-star, Lisa Gleave, echoed Jordan’s sentiment, stating that Meghan’s comments were insulting and that the show gave the briefcase girls a chance to pursue other opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Dina Cercioni, the former stylist for Deal or No Deal, offered a different perspective on the matter.
She expressed her love for the show and defended its reputation, stating that she had the privilege of designing looks for all the women involved.
Cercioni praised the hard work of the entire team, including the models, in making the show enjoyable for both contestants and fans.
In conclusion, while Meghan Markle claimed to have been objectified during her time as a briefcase model on Deal or No Deal, the show’s top executive and several of her former cast members have refuted her allegations.
The company behind the format emphasizes its commitment to evolving and representing the values of a modern society.
Despite differing opinions, it is clear that Meghan’s experience on the show has sparked a debate about the treatment of models and the opportunities that arise from such appearances.