Full Breakdown
Meghan Markle Reflects on Her Experience as a Briefcase Model on "Deal or No Deal"
8/27/2025, 7:12:56 PM
Overview of Meghan Markle's Reflections
In the second season of her Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," Meghan Markle revisited her time as a briefcase model on the NBC game show "Deal or No Deal," which aired from 2006 to 2007. During a conversation with fellow model Chrissy Teigen, Markle expressed nostalgia for their shared experiences on the show, highlighting how far they have come since then.
Key Details of Markle's Experience
Markle, who was pursuing a career in acting at the time, described her role as one that provided essential benefits, such as health insurance. She reminisced, “I was just so happy to have health insurance,” indicating the importance of the job in her early career. The show required models to present sealed briefcases containing various cash amounts, but Markle noted that the experience was not without its drawbacks.
Criticism of the Show's Impact
In previous discussions, including her 2021 podcast "Archetypes," Markle criticized "Deal or No Deal" for its objectification of women. She stated, “I was thankful for the job but not for how it made me feel, which was not smart,” emphasizing that the focus was on beauty rather than intellect. Teigen echoed this sentiment, recalling the superficial standards imposed on the models, which included extensive beauty preparations before each taping.
Dissenting Perspectives
Not all former models share Markle's view of the show. Donna Feldman, another model from "Deal or No Deal," publicly disagreed with Markle's characterization, asserting that the models were not treated poorly and that the environment was not as demeaning as Markle suggested. Feldman’s comments highlight a contrasting perspective on the experiences of models on the show.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was just so happy to have health insurance,” — Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
- “I was surrounded by smart women on that stage with me, but that wasn’t the focus of why we were there and I would end up leaving with this pit in my stomach. Like I said, I was thankful for the job but not for how it made me feel, which was not smart.” — Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
- “There was a very cookie-cutter idea of precisely what we should look like,” — Chrissy Teigen, Model
- “Feldman told The Post that none of the models were treated like hussies, contrary to Markle’s beliefs.” — Donna Feldman, Former Model
Conclusion
Markle's reflections on her time as a briefcase model reveal a complex relationship with her past work on "Deal or No Deal." While she acknowledges the job's role in her career development, she also critiques the show's treatment of women, sparking a broader conversation about the representation of women in media. The differing opinions among former models illustrate the varied experiences within the same environment, contributing to an ongoing dialogue about the impact of reality television on personal and professional identities.
