Holly Hallstrom, known for her long tenure as one of “Barker’s Beauties” on the iconic game show “The Price Is Right,” has shared her journey of struggle and liberation more than three decades after her dramatic exit from the show. Hallstrom spoke candidly about her experiences in a recent interview with PEOPLE, in conjunction with the release of E!’s docuseries “Dirty Rotten Scandals,” which explores the darker elements behind the scenes of the beloved gameshow.
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Hallstrom joined “The Price Is Right” in 1977 and became a staple on the programme until her departure in 1995. Her dismissal was officially attributed to concerns about her weight; however, Hallstrom believes that her exit was more closely linked to her decision not to support another former model, Diann Parkinson, during a highly publicised sexual harassment lawsuit against the show’s host, Bob Barker. This lawsuit not only put Barker under scrutiny but also created a hostile atmosphere within the show’s production team.
Reflecting on the turmoil that ensued following Parkinson’s affair with Barker, Hallstrom explained that the environment became increasingly fraught. Employees were compelled to provide testimonies about the show’s challenges, and Hallstrom found herself under pressure to speak negatively about Parkinson. “I wanted nothing to do with it,” she stated, recalling that she was asked to give a deposition but ultimately declined out of fear of perjury.
Hallstrom claims that her refusal to testify put her at odds with Barker, who she felt had already placed her on his “s**t list.” Despite the illegality of terminating someone for not supporting the host in court, Barker opted to use her weight as a justification for her leaving. “I was told it was because my weight was a problem,” she recounted, noting that Barker had even resorted to claiming that her dismissal was not about her physical appearance, despite significant evidence to the contrary.
In the midst of this ongoing battle, the lawsuit from Parkinson against Barker eventually collapsed, but Hallstrom’s troubles were far from over. Barker’s insistence that Hallstrom retire early continued, and she expressed her devastation at the situation. “I was being fired, and I wouldn’t be coming back, after nearly 20 years on the show,” she explained.
Though faced with immense pressure, Hallstrom chose to resist the narrative Barker sought to establish regarding her character. “Basically, he said I was a fat liar and problematic, and that was just a bald-faced lie,” she asserted, leading her to refuse a quiet exit. Happily, unlike Parkinson, Hallstrom had not signed a non-disclosure agreement, granting her the freedom to share her truth publicly.
In the wake of her dismissal, Hallstrom took her experiences to the media, which provoked Barker to file a defamation lawsuit against her. What followed was a tumultuous decade-long legal battle that drained her financially and emotionally. “I thought I was prepared and ready… but I was so naive,” she remarked, highlighting the challenges of standing up against a powerful figure like Barker.
Though Barker dropped his suit just before it went to trial in 2000, Hallstrom retaliated by taking legal action for malicious prosecution, which ultimately resulted in a settlement. Yet, the power dynamics of the industry prevented her from speaking openly for years, especially while Barker was alive. After his death earlier in 2023, Hallstrom felt a renewed sense of freedom and an opportunity to share her experiences without fear of repercussions.
“I felt like the weight of the world was off my shoulders,” Hallstrom expressed, reflecting on how liberating it felt to voice her truth. She expressed hope that her story would resonate with others who have faced similar battles in the entertainment industry, stating, “To be able to say, ‘This is what is happening in our industry and it’s been this way since the beginning,’ and speak out with an audience to hear it – it was so liberating.”
The journey of speaking her truth has revitalised Hallstrom’s spirit and driven home the notion that honesty can be a powerful tool for healing. “They say the truth will set you free. Man, it set me free. Absolutely, 100%,” she concluded, leaving many to reflect on the cost of silence and the importance of advocating for oneself in the face of adversity.