Backstage at The Price Is Right: Memoirs of A Barker Beauty Read Online Free
Author: Kathleen Bradley
presidential election had just come in. Not only was I the first permanent black Barker Beaut y, it was also the first time a fourth model had been added to the existing threesome. All of the major TV entertainment shows, as well as the local black radio stations and newspapers, where ringing my phone off the hook for interviews; even the tabloids wanted dibs on the latest breaking development. I was thrilled that the auditioning process had ended, and I was happy to know that my life was about to take a huge leap forward. I entered a totally new arena in the world of television and entertainment. My family and friends were delighted and proud of my most recent accomplishment.
When I was seven years old, in my little hometown, while sitting in the colored only section of the movie theater, I would gaze at the big screen and dream of going to Hollywood and becoming a famous movie star. For now, this was about as close as I could get to that dream — which was perfectly fine with me. It was difficult finding work in the competitive television and motion picture industry, and at last, I felt a sense of security, knowing that I had a steady-paying gig.
Throughout the audition phase, the models were paid union scale under the guidelines of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), which was merely $230 per show. I assumed that after I became a permanent fixture on the show my paycheck would increase — WRONG! I had been a professional model for many years and was accustomed to making anywhere from $150 to $500 an hour. Yet, there I was, appearing as a top model on a primetime television show, being paid kibbles and bits. (During my tenure on the show, I received several periodic small raises. Whoop-de-doo!)
After being there a few months, I had the nerve to ask Holly what she and the other models were making per show. At first, she was a little hesitant to answer the twenty-four-million-dollar question, but she eventually replied, “Well Kath, I can’t speak for Janice or Dian, but when I was the low girl on the totem pole before you were hired, I was making about forty to sixty dollars less than they were per show. Now that you hold that position and you’re making AFTRA scale, you’re probably making about fifty dollars less per show than I am. You do the math.”
I couldn’t believe it. It was rather disturbing news and very disheartening to imagine that, for over seventeen years of service, these dedicated models were outrageously underpaid. I decided then to milk the opportunity as a Barker Beauty for as long and as hard as I could. I intended to get the maximum exposure possible to help advance my career.
I knew little about the other models’ personal lives when I began to work on the show, with the exception of Dian. Dian was extremely helpful when I first started the auditioning process, and I was grateful to her for her kindness and friendship. Janice and Holly were a little more distant with me, especially when I was around Dian. But I slowly became more connected to Janice and Holly as time went on and our relationships began to grow through idle chitchat during rehearsals. Whatever disputes, dissension, or disagreements transpired between Dian and the other models over the years was off my radar — I remained neutral. I had no intentions of getting caught up in the he said/she said bullshit.
I received numerous calls from inquisitive tabloids, hoping that I would cooperate and leak the latest dirt happening on the set , but I always declined any comments. Although I was well-liked and respected around the studio, I had my guard up, realizing that “for what is given , can easily be taken away.”
Besides Dian befriending me when I first came on the scene as the newest Barker Beauty, there was also a pretty light brown young lady named Debbie Curling. Debbie was a prize administrator and worked primarily out of the Green Room. She was one of CBS’ employees, assigned to work on
When I was seven years old, in my little hometown, while sitting in the colored only section of the movie theater, I would gaze at the big screen and dream of going to Hollywood and becoming a famous movie star. For now, this was about as close as I could get to that dream — which was perfectly fine with me. It was difficult finding work in the competitive television and motion picture industry, and at last, I felt a sense of security, knowing that I had a steady-paying gig.
Throughout the audition phase, the models were paid union scale under the guidelines of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), which was merely $230 per show. I assumed that after I became a permanent fixture on the show my paycheck would increase — WRONG! I had been a professional model for many years and was accustomed to making anywhere from $150 to $500 an hour. Yet, there I was, appearing as a top model on a primetime television show, being paid kibbles and bits. (During my tenure on the show, I received several periodic small raises. Whoop-de-doo!)
After being there a few months, I had the nerve to ask Holly what she and the other models were making per show. At first, she was a little hesitant to answer the twenty-four-million-dollar question, but she eventually replied, “Well Kath, I can’t speak for Janice or Dian, but when I was the low girl on the totem pole before you were hired, I was making about forty to sixty dollars less than they were per show. Now that you hold that position and you’re making AFTRA scale, you’re probably making about fifty dollars less per show than I am. You do the math.”
I couldn’t believe it. It was rather disturbing news and very disheartening to imagine that, for over seventeen years of service, these dedicated models were outrageously underpaid. I decided then to milk the opportunity as a Barker Beauty for as long and as hard as I could. I intended to get the maximum exposure possible to help advance my career.
I knew little about the other models’ personal lives when I began to work on the show, with the exception of Dian. Dian was extremely helpful when I first started the auditioning process, and I was grateful to her for her kindness and friendship. Janice and Holly were a little more distant with me, especially when I was around Dian. But I slowly became more connected to Janice and Holly as time went on and our relationships began to grow through idle chitchat during rehearsals. Whatever disputes, dissension, or disagreements transpired between Dian and the other models over the years was off my radar — I remained neutral. I had no intentions of getting caught up in the he said/she said bullshit.
I received numerous calls from inquisitive tabloids, hoping that I would cooperate and leak the latest dirt happening on the set , but I always declined any comments. Although I was well-liked and respected around the studio, I had my guard up, realizing that “for what is given , can easily be taken away.”
Besides Dian befriending me when I first came on the scene as the newest Barker Beauty, there was also a pretty light brown young lady named Debbie Curling. Debbie was a prize administrator and worked primarily out of the Green Room. She was one of CBS’ employees, assigned to work on
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