When Meghan Markle said “I do” to Prince Harry in May 2018, she wasn’t just marrying into a family—she was stepping into a global spotlight that would change her life forever. This former actress, best known for her role in the hit show Suits, hasn’t appeared on-screen since 2016, but many have been curious about how this California girl made her way to Hollywood in the first place. Turns out, her journey wasn’t always glamorous.
Did Meghan Markle Really Appear on 'Deal or No Deal'?
Long before Meghan became the Duchess of Sussex, she was just another aspiring actress trying to make it big in Tinseltown. And yes, she did indeed grace the stage of the hit game show Deal or No Deal during its second season. Back in the day, she modeled as one of the iconic briefcase carriers, holding those shiny suitcases filled with imaginary cash. At the time, the show was hosted by the one and only Howie Mandel, who recently opened up about what it was like working with the future royal.
“She was slightly duchessy, even back then,” Howie reminisced during a Television Critics Association press tour in August 2018. He went on to explain that the women on the show weren’t just there for show—they were all accomplished individuals with real lives outside the studio. “Not everybody gets the chance to meet royalty, but these ladies weren’t just standing there holding cases. They had careers, hobbies, families, and dreams. They were entrepreneurs,” he added. “So when someone like Harry meets someone who just happened to be on our show, there’s a lot to offer!”
Read also:Elton John Refuses To Give Up Amid Vision Loss Battle
But here’s the twist: when asked about Meghan’s time on the show earlier that year, Howie admitted he didn’t even remember her. “To be honest, I don’t even remember her. I don’t. I don’t,” he confessed to E! News in May 2018, jokingly looking into the camera and saying, “I don’t remember you. I don’t remember you.” It seems like Meghan took the joke in stride because, let’s face it, Howie probably saw hundreds of briefcase models over the years.
Of course, Howie’s forgetfulness may have played a role in why Meghan didn’t invite him to her wedding. “I feel shunned. I gave her her start. I’m not going to watch,” he quipped at the time, adding, “I will not be watching.” Ouch, Howie!
Howie joked that appearing on Deal or No Deal might just be the stepping stone to royalty. “I believe that’s always the previous step to royalty—you’re a case holder and then you’re a duchess,” he quipped. “I said to her, ‘You start with Howie. You move to Harry. Howie to Harry.’”
But let’s be real—if Meghan had been holding the winning briefcase, maybe things would have turned out differently. Unfortunately, she never got the chance to carry the jackpot. “I didn’t ever have it,” she revealed to Esquire in February 2018. “I think I was the ill-fated No. 26, which for some reason, no one would ever choose. I would end up standing there forever in these terribly uncomfortable and inexpensive 5-inch heels, just waiting for someone to pick my number so I could go and sit down.”
Turns out, Meghan wasn’t actually briefcase 26—it was 24—but who’s counting?
Will Meghan Return for the New 'Deal or No Deal' Spinoff?
In August 2023, NBC announced a fresh spinoff called Deal or No Deal Island, hosted by Joe Manganiello with Howie Mandel serving as executive producer. While fans are hoping Meghan will make a cameo, there’s been no official word on her involvement. In fact, she’s already spoken out against the show during her podcast, Archetypes, where she shared her thoughts on being reduced to a “bimbo” while holding a briefcase.
Read also:Jenna Bush Hagers Daughters Have A Lot To Say About The Secret Service And More
“My experience on the show, which included holding said briefcase on stage alongside 25 other women doing the same, was fascinating,” she recalled in October 2022. She compared her time on the set of Deal or No Deal to her previous work as an intern at the U.S. Embassy in Argentina, where she was valued for her intellect rather than her looks. “Here I was being valued for something quite the opposite,” she noted.
