‘The Price Is Right’ Models Reveal Shocking Harassment and Racism Behind the Scenes

The beloved game show The Price Is Right has been on the air since the early 1970s. Models on the show have recently come forward with shocking claims about their treatment on set. Many detailed blatant sexual harassment behind the scenes, and the show’s first permanent Black model said she faced racism from production staff. 

‘The Price Is Right’ models recalled sexual harassment on set

The new E! show Dirty Rotten Scandals examines the behind-the-scenes environment of beloved television shows. In their deep dive into The Price Is Right, they spoke to the show’s models and female producers, who made allegations of frequent sexual harassment. 

“One time, I was in the elevator and one of the men just stuck their hands right on my boobs,” said producer Barbara Hunter (per People). “I had to push him away, I didn’t say anything. It became instinct to know how to handle it.”

Model Kathleen Bradley recalled a stagehand who would “rub up against us.” When she complained about his “totally inappropriate” behavior, she didn’t see any follow up.

“When I reported this guy to the producers? To my surprise, no action was taken,” she said. “I was really taken aback. This was really sexual harassment.”

‘The Price Is Right’ models spoke about racism behind the scenes

Bradley was the show’s first permanent Black model. She said a producer informed her that the production team frequently used racist slurs.

“One of the ladies on the production team brought to my attention that inside a production meeting, when the models weren’t in there, they would use the n-word,” Bradley said. “I think people should know the truth — the good, the bad, and the ugly.”

Model Holly Hallstrom made allegations of racism against longtime host Bob Barker. She claimed that people told her, “Bob has always said that Black men are the most diseased people on earth.”

The show implemented a ‘10-Second Rule’

In their effort to combat sexual harassment on set, CBS allegedly implemented a “10-Second Rule.” This meant that no one could “openly stare at a model for more than 10 seconds.” Hallstrom believed that this was an empty policy meant to appease the models, not actually stop harassment.

“There was no one monitoring how long the guys were staring at the models,” she said. “It was a joke. It was an appeasement. They did things that made it look like they were taking action, so you will stop complaining and go away.”

The Price Is Right was not the only show that Dirty Rotten Scandals examined. It also looked behind the scenes of America’s Next Top Model and The Dr. Phil Show.