Whoopi Goldberg Dismisses Meghan Markle's Deal or No Deal Critique: 'The Objectification Might Be Coming From You'

Whoopi Goldberg is skeptical about Meghan Markle's claim that she left Deal or No Deal because she felt "forced to be all looks and little substance" as a briefcase model.

Markle opened up about her experience on the game show in the latest episode of her "Archetypes" podcast. "I was thankful for the job but not for how it made me feel, which was: not smart," said the Duchess of Sussex. "I would end up leaving with this pit in my stomach, knowing that I was so much more than what was being objectified on the stage. I didn't like feeling forced to be all looks and little substance, and that's how it felt for me at the time — being reduced to this specific archetype."

On Wednesday morning, Markle's remarks received top billing on The View, but Whoopi was quick to dismiss her. "Okay. I just want to say that on that show, you basically had a suitcase and they wanted to know, 'Is this a deal you want, or is this not the deal you want?'" said Whoopi. "I don't know that the people who are sitting there are thinking about you like that. They're thinking, 'I want the money.'"

"Vanna White is always in something interesting and beautiful, and she's been doing this," she continued. "The objectification might be coming from you, and how you felt about how these women were being portrayed. And that's what you have to change."

Whoopi went on to say that performers "take the gig," regardless of whether it requires wearing a "bozo suit" or a "big nose," and don't complain. "We're not journalists. We're actors. We're trying to get to another place," she added. "And you left and that was your prerogative, but I feel bad because I don't think people were looking at these girls like this. I think people want the money."

MEGHAN MARKLE FELT OBJECTIFIED ON 'DEAL OR NO DEAL': Markle looked back at the beginning of her career in show business and admits being conflicted about her time as one of the briefcase-opening assistants on the game show — #TheView panel weighs in. https://t.co/cVclFZyKV0 pic.twitter.com/28ZhCR3DZN

— The View (@TheView) October 19, 2022

After Joy Behar offered a counterpoint to Whoopi's oddly passionate screed — "But Whoopi, why is it that every game show has a guy running it... and some gorgeous woman turning letters or holding a box?" — Sunny Hostin pointed out that Deal or No Deal purposely hired "little, skinny, tiny, pretty models" to hold the briefcases of cash.

"That's TV!" replied Whoopi. "What did you think you were going to? You know that's what the show was!"

"My point is, if you see it, and that's how you feel, just maybe you don't want to make the other women feel bad," she concluded. "Because maybe they're trying to make a living, too."

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.