Meghan Markle Goes Shopping Amid Backlash For 'Deal Or No Deal' Comments
KEY POINTS
- Meghan Markle went shopping in California after the latest episode of "Archetypes" sparked criticism
- Markle was dressed casually in a strapless Malia Mills jumpsuit and sandals during the outing
- The duchess was with a pal when she shopped for home goods at the gourmet food boutique Pierre La Fond
Meghan Markle appears unfazed by the backlash sparked by the latest episode of her podcast "Archetypes."
The Duchess of Sussex was spotted shopping with a friend in California Friday afternoon, days after she revealed that she felt "objectified" while appearing as a briefcase model on "Deal or No Deal."
In photos obtained by Page Six of the outing, Markle wore a strapless green Malia Mills jumpsuit and paired it with an olive sweater and sandals. She accessorized with a wide-brimmed $128 Panama hat from Cuyana and sunglasses. She styled her hair in a braid.
Markle and her pal, who was not identified, appeared to be deep in conversation while they shopped for home goods at the gourmet food boutique Pierre La Fond in Montecito, California, according to the outlet.
The pair then had lunch together in nearby Santa Barbara, Page Six reported.
Markle's husband, Prince Harry, was nowhere in sight during the outing.
The sighting came days after Markle revealed on her podcast that she quit her job on Season 2 of "Deal or No Deal" back in 2006 because she felt she was being "reduced to a bimbo."
Despite feeling "really grateful" to have a job that could pay her bills, the former "Suits" star still felt there was "little substance" to the role.
"I ended up quitting the show. I was so much more than what was being objectified on the stage," she said on the latest episode of her podcast, "Archetypes."
However, some social media users called out Markle for "hypocrisy" after a resurfaced video showed that the former actress played a similar role a few years after leaving the game show for being "objectified."
Two years after she quit "Deal or No Deal," Markle took on an NSFW acting gig on "90210." She made a cameo in the TV series as a character named Wendy, who was seemingly caught giving character Ethan Ward (Dustin Milligan) oral sex in a car.
Several of Markle's former "Deal or No Deal" co-stars, including Patricia Kara, slammed her claims about the show.
"It was unfortunate she felt that way because I never, ever felt that way," Kara told Inside Edition of Markle.
She also disputed Markle's claim that the briefcase models would line up before the show for different stations, including one for bra padding.
"There was no bra station," Kara said.
Meanwhile, former "Deal or No Deal" model Donna Feldman told Hollywood Life, "I have read Meghan's comments about being treated like a 'bimbo' while working on 'Deal or No Deal,' but I have to disagree with what is being said."
"During my time on the show, neither myself nor anybody else I worked with was ever treated as such, in my opinion," she added. "However, it's important to note that everyone has their own experience, and I can only speak from mine."
"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Claudia Jordan, who also starred on the show as a briefcase girl alongside Markle, disagreed with the duchess' comment that the show was all about looks. She also said that her stint on the series opened a lot of doors for her.
Jordan said it helped her get on several shows, including "Celebrity Apprentice" and "Celebrity Apprentice All-Stars." It also led to her guest-hosting "Extra," appearing in People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful issue and co-hosting the 2009 Miss Universe pageant.
"Not too shabby for a 'bimbo'!" she wrote on Instagram Stories.
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