New revelations have emerged regarding the late Bob Barker, the iconic host of The Price is Right, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 99. Allegations have surfaced suggesting he maintained a toxic work environment, highlighted in an upcoming E! documentary featuring former models from the show, Holly Hallstrom, Kathleen Bradley, and Claudia Jordan.
This docuseries reveals a multi-faceted look at Barker’s controversial past through a two-part episode. One particularly notable scandal involves his affair with model Diane Parkinson, which, despite initial attempts to keep it under wraps, eventually became public knowledge as they engaged in numerous extramarital encounters.
While Barker’s death has brought some closure, the troubling aspects of his tenure as host, which spanned from the 1970s to the early 2000s, are only now being discussed. Many of the show’s models, collectively referred to as “Barker’s Beauties,” have come forward to describe an unbearable backstage atmosphere.
Hallstrom, in an interview, recounted her early suspicions about the nature of Barker and Parkinson’s relationship, noting that other crew members began to catch on over time as well.
“I was initially taken aback,” Hallstrom reflected, remembering that Barker was supposedly in another relationship at the time. She mentioned instances of Parkinson sneaking into his dressing room during breaks, an environment rife with inappropriate behavior.
Bradley, the first Black model on the show, expressed her mixed feelings about her involvement, saying, “There were signs early on that something wasn’t right.” She recalled an uncomfortable experience where it was pointed out to her that derogatory language was used when models weren’t present.
Parkinson eventually filed a sexual harassment suit against Barker, but he dismissed the case shortly thereafter. Hallstrom opted not to testify in court, feeling that doing so would compromise her integrity. Unfortunately, she faced professional repercussions, including diminished on-screen time, leading to significant personal struggles.
“I lost everything,” Hallstrom said, recalling how she ended up living in her car after settling the lawsuit against Barker out of necessity. Years later, she would seek legal action against him for “malicious prosecution.”
Bradley highlighted the troubling dynamics of the production, noting that the show typically allowed only two Black contestants at any time. She described distressing interactions where Barker would seem uncomfortable with Black contestants attempting to connect with him.
Other models, including Bradley and Jordan, have also narrated their own experiences of discrimination and harassment on set, bringing to light a culture that many found untenable. It’s disheartening to think that these stories were often swept under the rug in an era where representation and respect should have been prioritized.
As more former models reflect on their experiences, it’s clear that their refusal to remain silent played a significant role in revealing the darker side of Barker’s legacy.
