Nationwide — A new documentary is bringing renewed attention to Bob Barker’s time on The Price is Right, with former models alleging racism, retaliation, and a toxic work environment behind the scenes. Several women say Barker treated Black contestants and staff differently.
According to Complex, former model Claudia Jordan claims producers limited the number of Black contestants allowed per taping to two. She also says contestant cards were marked so Barker would know who was about to “come on down.” Jordan adds that Barker appeared uneasy around Black contestants on stage and that she was sometimes targeted with race-based jokes.
Kathleen Bradley, who became the first full-time Black model on the show, says she occasionally heard racist language during production meetings when models were not present. She describes the workplace as one where discrimination was often normalized and rarely challenged.
Holly Hallstrom, one of the original Barker’s Beauties, has also spoken publicly about her experiences. She claims Barker showed anger toward fellow model Dian Parkinson and made offensive remarks about Black men during internal disputes. Hallstrom also alleges she was removed from the show after refusing to support Barker during Parkinson’s sexual harassment lawsuit.
Barker, who died in 2023 at the age of 99, consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing during his lifetime. His longtime representative has also rejected the claims raised in the documentary.