Black Models Accuse ‘The Price Is Right’ of Toxic Racism

Former models who worked on The Price Is Right have come forward with new allegations about racist treatment behind the scenes. Their accounts appear in Filmogaz.com’s documentary Dirty Rotten Scandals.

Kathleen Bradley’s testimony

Kathleen Bradley became the show’s first full-time Black model in 1990. She says she faced hostility from both viewers and some production staff.

Bradley reported that fans wrote negative messages about her presence on the program. She also alleges staff used racial slurs during production meetings when models were absent.

Claudia Jordan’s claims

Claudia Jordan described racist comments and demeaning direction from a producer identified as Phil Wayne. She says she was asked to stand between two white models to emphasize contrast.

Jordan also says the producer labeled her in a sexualized way tied to racist stereotypes. She added that show rules limited how many Black contestants could appear at once, and she attributed that rule to Bob Barker.

Legal action and broader allegations

Bradley and fellow model Janice Pennington filed a wrongful termination lawsuit after losing their roles. The two later reached a settlement.

Other former models interviewed for the documentary described pressure, retaliation, and a workplace culture that asked women to hide discomfort and keep smiling.

Response and context

Bob Barker died in 2023. His long‑time representative denied allegations of misconduct, calling him beloved and the greatest MC in TV history.

The stories from Black models have rekindled discussion about how Black women were treated in family‑oriented entertainment. The accounts allege toxic racism within a show that long presented itself as wholesome.