Meghan Markle Reflects on Her Time as a 'Deal or No Deal' Briefcase Girl

Meghan Markle, widely known for her role as Rachel Zane in Suits, has opened up about her early days in Hollywood, including her time on Deal or No Deal as one of the show's briefcase girls. In a recent episode of her Archetypes podcast, Markle shared candidly about her experience on the game show, reflecting on both the positives and the challenges of the role.

Markle, who was still trying to land acting gigs at the time, explained that her job on Deal or No Deal provided steady work, along with health insurance—a relief in a tough industry. "It was fascinating," she recalled of the experience, despite the fact that she was surrounded by 25 other women all performing the same task: holding briefcases on stage.

However, Markle didn’t shy away from discussing the more superficial aspects of the job. She described the behind-the-scenes preparations, including women lining up to get their lashes applied, hair extensions put in, and bras padded. The show’s “cookie-cutter” approach to beauty meant that the women were expected to conform to a very specific image. Markle also revealed that the women were given weekly spray tan vouchers, as the show was largely focused on appearance over anything else.

Looking back, Markle contrasted this experience with her previous job as an intern at the U.S. embassy in Argentina, where her intellect was valued more than her looks. "At the embassy, my brain was more important than my appearance," she said, highlighting how different the two environments were.

While Markle was grateful for the opportunity, she admitted that Deal or No Deal made her feel "not smart," an experience she described as being "reduced to this specific archetype." She recalled the discomfort of hearing the show’s director backstage, calling out to her by name with commands like, "Markle, suck it in!" which reinforced her sense of being objectified.

Markle said that, despite working alongside many smart women, the focus on beauty left her with a sense of dissatisfaction. "I didn’t like being forced to be all looks and little substance," she shared. "I knew I was more than that."

Looking ahead, Markle expressed a desire to see a change in how women, especially her daughter Lilibet, view themselves. She hopes that future generations of women will be encouraged to value intelligence and education, rather than just physical appearance. "I want our daughters' aspirations to be slightly higher," she said, emphasizing that being "smart" and "educated" should be the qualities to be proud of.

Markle’s reflections on her time with Deal or No Deal provide a candid look at her journey, from the challenges of early career roles to her evolving understanding of self-worth in a career that often prioritizes looks over substance.