Various figures have come to bring The Price Is Right to life over the decades, including hosts like Bob Barker and Drew Carey. This includes a number of models who help present prizes on the show. After the game show became the subject of a recent docuseries, one model has spoken out about her time on the show, including the reasons behind her departure.
Bob Barker Was The First Host Of The Price Is Right Since Its 1972 Revival
The Price Is Right made its debut back in 1972 on CBS, a revival of a 1956 show of the same name. Bob Barker was the series host during the original debut, leaving in 2005. Even after Drew Carey took over as the show’s host, Barker continued to appear on the show until 2015.
Barker passed away in his Los Angeles home in 2023. He was 99 at the time of his death. At the time, Alzheimer’s disease was reported as his cause of death.
Recently, the long-running game show was given focus on E!’s Dirty Rotten Scandals docuseries, which looks at various shows behind the scenes, including Dr. Phil and America’s Next Top Model. During the series, one of “Barker’s Beauties,” Holly Hallstrom discussed her own exit from the show.
Hallstrom explained that issues started on set for her in the aftermath of Bob Barker’s affair with fellow model Dian Parkinson. During the fallout, Parkinson filed a lawsuit alleging Barker of sexual harassment. This led to employees being asked to testify under oath about the show’s environment on set.
During the documentary, Hallstrom shared, “Every time you went to the studio, you had to sit with lawyers.” She claimed, “All they wanted to hear was all the bad stuff about Dian. And how Bob could not have possibly sexually harassed Dian.”
Hallstrom expressed that she wanted nothing to do with the situation. She shared, “I was the only one that was asked to give a deposition and did not. I didn’t want to commit felony perjury, which is exactly what it would have been if I gave a testimony.”
Holly Hallstrom Also Touched On The Explanation She Was Given For Her Firing
Speaking with People, Hallstrom revealed that this was “the final straw” against her when it came to her place on the show. However, she claimed that the show couldn’t legally fire her for failing to testify.
Hallstrom explained that another reason was given against her. She continued, “So instead, Barker said I was overweight, and that’s why I was off the show. I was not surprised that he used that as the excuse, the reason, the justification for firing me. But when I was asked why I was fired, I told them, ‘I was told it was because my weight was a problem.’”
Parkinson eventually dropped her lawsuit. However, Hallstrom claimed that there was still bad blood between Barker and herself. She shared that he told her that she would be taking an “early retirement,” once again citing the issue of her weight. She shared that this was when she first felt, “I hate that man.”
After Hallstrom took her story to Hard Copy, Barker filed for a defamation lawsuit. However, he dropped it in 2000, around the time it was set to go to trial. Hallstrom then sued Barker for malicious prosecution, which was resolved in a settlement.
As the outlet noted, Hallstrom claimed she considered sharing her story in 2023, after Barker’s death, but decided to move forward. Reflecting on her recent share, however, she mused, “They say the truth will set you free. Man, it set me free. Absolutely, 100%.”
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John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.
