Black Models Allege Racism on ‘The Price Is Right’

A new docuseries is shedding light on disturbing allegations of racism behind the scenes of the beloved game show, “The Price Is Right.” Former Black models who worked on the show during Bob Barker’s time as host are speaking out, describing experiences of “raging” racism from fans, producers, and even Barker himself.

Allegations from Former Models

Kathleen Bradley, the first full-time Black model on the show, shared that she received negative fan mail specifically targeting her race. She also revealed that the N-word was used in production meetings when Black models weren’t present. “I think people should know the truth—the good, the bad, and the ugly,” Bradley stated.

Claudia Jordan, who succeeded Bradley as a “Barker’s Beauty,” echoed these sentiments. She claims producer Phil Wayne made racially charged remarks and engaged in sexual harassment. Jordan recalled comments like, “Let’s make a reverse Oreo, Claudia, you get in the middle of the two white models,” and being called the “ass model” based on racial stereotypes.

Racism Among Contestants and Host

The alleged bias wasn’t limited to staff. Jordan described a “darker side” where producers allegedly leaned into negative stereotypes when selecting contestants. She claimed there was a limit of two Black contestants at a time, with cards marked to indicate their race, an order she attributed to Barker. She also recalled Barker appearing to distance himself from Black contestants who attempted to hug him.

Another former model, Holly Hallstrom, recounted an incident where Barker allegedly made disparaging remarks about Black men being “the most diseased people on Earth,” contributing to tensions with co-star Dian Parkinson, who had dated Black celebrities. Hallstrom noted that such comments weren’t surprising given Barker’s background.

Denials and Legacy

Bob Barker, who hosted “The Price Is Right” from 1972 until his retirement in 2007 and passed away in 2023, is remembered by many as a beloved television icon. In response to the docuseries’ claims, Barker’s longtime representative, Roger Neal, denied all allegations of sexual misconduct and racism. “Barker was and is beloved, and people to this day love him,” Neal stated. “He was part of the fabric of American pop culture.”