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Holly Hallstrom Says ‘The Price Is Right’ Firing Was Retaliation; Weight Gain …

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The latest round of Dirty Rotten Scandals exposure delves into the world of The Price Is Right.

No, the wholesome daytime game show doesn’t seem like a scandal-ridden house of horrors.

But model Holley Hallstrom, who spent nearly 20 years on the show, was left shaken by her experience — and by her firing.

She says that the shocking weight gain story behind her firing — which Bob Barker denied — was only a cover story.

Holly Hallstrom
Model Holly Hallstrom discusses what it was like to appear on, and be fired from, ‘The Price Is Right.’ (Image Credit: E!)

‘The Price Is Right’ went wrong for her

From 1977 until 1995, Hallstrom appeared as one of “Barker’s Beauties” on The Price Is Right.

She says that her firing in 1995 was blamed on weight gain caused by medication.

That is horrible — but, sadly, she says that it was the cover story, not the actual scandal.

In the new episode of E!’s docuseries, Dirty Rotten Scandals, Hallstrom explains why she really left the show.

She says that it was retaliation — related to fellow model Dian Parkinson’s sexual harassment lawsuit against Barker.

In 1994, Parkinson filed a suit against Barker, accusing him of asking her to perform oral sex upon him.

She explained that she only agreed to the sex act because she feared losing her job.

Hallstrom had already faced issues — like pressure to get breast implants when she was first hired.

But the tension on set grew worse after Barker, with his wholesome family image, faced these sexual misconduct allegations.

“When Dian filed her suit, oh boy, that was the beginning of when everything got really bad,” Hallstrom said, according to Fox News Digital.

Holly Hallstrom gestures
Holly Hallstrom walks viewers through the ups and downs of her time as one of ‘Barker’s Beauties.’ (Image Credit: E!)

‘I was not present for those conversations’

“I didn’t want to be involved in it at all,” Hallstrom emphasized. “Barker wanted us to go on all these talk shows and say he was the victim and that Dian was lying.”

She explained: “I didn’t participate because I didn’t want to, and I thought it was tacky.”

Hallstrom added: “And also because I could not honestly say, ‘Oh yes, Dian is lying,’ or ‘Oh no, Dian is not lying.’ I was not present for those conversations.”

She shared: “I just avoided doing all of Bob’s PR tour. Finally, I was told I would be appearing on ‘The Suzanne Somers Show,’ period. And I did.”

Hallstrom recalled: “Of course, all they wanted was for me to say that Dian was lying. When Suzanne asked me if I thought Dian was lying, I just babbled some answer, and that was that.” But the story did not end there.

Holly Hallstrom's firing
A document appears to show Holly Hallstrom’s dismissal from ‘The Price Is Right.’ (Image Credit: E!)

“But then that week, I read in the tabloids, ‘Holly says, ‘Dian is lying.’ I never said that,” Hallstrom described.

“I called the tabloid and demanded a retraction,” she shared. “They printed a retraction.”

Hallstrom continued grimly: “But that was the beginning of the big rift between Bob and me. That’s when I got on his s–t list.”

In 1995, Parkinson dropped her lawsuit, citing that it was emotionally and financially draining. Barker, who insisted that any sexual relationship had been consensual, took a victory lap.

“Barker went all over television saying, ‘Her case was dismissed, and I’m totally vindicated,’” Hallstrom described. “I said, ‘That’s not true.’”

A tearful Holly Hallstrom
A tearful and emotional Holly Hallstrom discusses how much she enjoyed being on ‘The Price is Right’ before her firing. (Image Credit: E!)

‘It only got worse from there’

“I would not comment on that. I did not participate in those interviews,” Hallstrom shared. “I would not change my testimony to suit Barker. That’s when I was told my weight was a problem. I was off the show.”

“That was, well, probably the worst thing in my life at that point that had ever happened,” she went on. “It only got worse from there.”

What followed was a nearly decade-long legal battle, in which Barker sued her for defamation. According to Hallstrom, she turned down lucrative settlement offers because she did not want to surrender her right to speak on the topic.

“As soon as I said I was fired because of my weight, for the first time in his career, Bob Barker was bombarded with hate mail,” Hallstrom reported. “They would bring boxes, bags of letters to the network by the truckload.”

This chilling story of power and allegations plays out in more detail on Dirty Rotten Scandals: The Price Is Right, starting on March 18.

Holly Hallstrom Says ‘The Price Is Right’ Firing Was Retaliation; Weight Gain … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Jack Nicholson Loves This New York Bakery Bread So Much He Has It Brought To LA

Jack Nicholson has traveled to many places throughout his illustrious career. He encountered a bakery in New York with bread that he now has sent to LA.

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Dylan Dreyer Files to Divorce Husband

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Today Show viewers have followed Dylan Dreyer for many years.

They’ve followed her through the births of all three of her children.

Last year, Today‘s audience learned about her separation from her husband after over a decade of marriage.

Now, that separation is a divorce.

Dylan Dreyer on the Today show.
During an awkward ‘Today’ segment, Dylan Dreyer dives right into the end of her marriage after a colleague brings it up. (Image Credit: NBC)

From separation to divorce

Eight months ago, Dreyer and her husband, Brian Fichera, separated.

Since then, she has gotten an earful of a lot of people’s opinions on how she should make decisions with her family.

On March 10, Us Weekly reports, Dreyer filed for divorce.

The report details that she and her three children have moved.

Specifically, she and 9-year-old Calvin, 6-year-old Oliver, and 4-year-old Russell are now reportedly residing in Long Island.

“They are thriving in their new town, and the kids are happy,” dished the inside source.

“They have a great new routine,” praised the insider.

“She loves her job,” the source affirmed, “and loves that she can be home with the kids after school.”

The insider added: “She’s very involved.”

The report doesn’t throw her ex under the bus, either.

Dylan Dreyer in the snow.
It’s cold! A blizzard had Dylan Dreyer reporting from extreme cold once again. (Image Credit: NBC)

‘She kind of put that aside and focused on the kids’

According to the report, Dreyer and Fichera make a point to “do a lot together” for their children’s sake.

“The split was painful,” the source acknowledged.

“And,” the insider continued, “Dylan struggled with the idea of starting over and having this new life after being married for so many years.”

The source added: “But with time, she kind of put that aside and focused on the kids.”

According to that same report, Dreyer has also been receiving “a lot of support” from her colleagues at The Today Show.

Last year, after news of the separation broke, Dreyer addressed the situation on Instagram.

“For many years I have shared my family with you all — the highs and the lows. The ups and downs,” she wrote. “And all of the blessings and beautiful memories in between.”

Dreyer expressed: “I am incredibly grateful for the support and love you’ve given me throughout it all.”

She continued: “For that reason, I want to share with you that a few months ago, Brian and I made the decision to separate. We began as friends, and we will remain the closest of friends.”

Dreyer emphasized: “Most importantly, we will continue to co-parent our three wonderful boys together with nothing but love and respect for one another. Thank you as always for your support.”

Dylan Dreyer in 2016.
Surprise! Dylan Dreyer announced that she was pregnant with her first child on The Today Show. (Image Credit: NBC)

Some ‘Today’ fans became parasocial about this

Ending a marriage after 12 years is not a decision that people enter lightly.

But from the “feedback” that some Today Show viewers have been sending her way, you’d think that she’d woken up one morning and decided to turn her life upside down.

It is natural for people to feel that the familiar faces whom they see on their screens day in and day out are their “friends.” But they aren’t. This is a parasocial bond — an illusion.

(This is extra tricky when it comes to programming like Today, which often serves as “company” for viewers.)

Unfortunately, people feeling like they “know” Dreyer led some of them to harass her over this decision. That’s unfair.

Dylan Dreyer Files to Divorce Husband was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Dakota Mortensen Warned ABC Execs About Taylor Frankie Paul’s Abuse … They …

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As we previously reported, Taylor Frankie Paul is being investigated in connection with domestic violence allegations made by her former partner Dakota Mortensen.

Details about the allegations are scarce at the moment, but the situation is serious enough that Hulu felt the need to pause production on Paul’s reality show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

The timing couldn’t be worse for ABC, as the network is currently promoting the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, on which Paul will star.

Taylor Frankie Paul attends the Los Angeles Premiere and FYC Event of Hulu's "The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives" Season 2 at Paramount Studios on May 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Taylor Frankie Paul attends the Los Angeles Premiere and FYC Event of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives” Season 2 at Paramount Studios on May 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images)

The network has already sunk tens of millions into productionn and promotion, and The Bachelorette is one of their biggest hits.

So you can be sure that pulling the season completely would be a last resort.

But there might come a time when ABC is left with no choice. The Bachelorette is already losing sponsors over the Taylor situation.

And now, TMZ is reporting that Mortensen reached out to the network to try to warn them about Paul’s past, but his allegations fell on deaf ears.

Taylor Paul attends the 2025 TIME100 Creators Launch Party at Gansevoort Rooftop on July 10, 2025 in New York City.
Taylor Paul attends the 2025 TIME100 Creators Launch Party at Gansevoort Rooftop on July 10, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for TIME)

“Dakota had conversations with Bachelorette producers before she started filming to warn them about her behavior and past abuse … but production pressed forward,” the outlet claims.

Needless to say, that’s not a good look for the network. And it’s the sort of revelation that might eventually force execs to take action.

For her part, Taylor is doing her best to steer clear of the scandal as she promotes her season of The Bachelorette, which begins next week.

“Honestly, it’s been a heavy time, to see the headlines, especially during this time of The Bachelorette being released, it’s supposed to be a really exciting time,” she said during an appearance on Good Morning America on Wednesday.

Taylor Paul attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California.
Taylor Paul attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Julian Hamilton/Getty Images)

“I’m a person that will always speak my truth. That’s what I’m known for. And when the time is right, I will be. But right now, just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this.

Taylor went on to note that her kids “come first” and the experience of raising her children while promoting The Bachelorette and managing her current scandal has been “stressful.”

The interviewer stated that GMA had reached out to Dakota for comment but had not received a response.

Asked about the production pause on Secret Lives, Taylor side-stepped the question, stating, “I don’t call the shots on production.”

Clearly, this is not Taylor’s favorite topic of conversation — but it seems unlikely to go away anytime soon.

We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.

Dakota Mortensen Warned ABC Execs About Taylor Frankie Paul’s Abuse … They … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Where Does Costco’s Kirkland Signature Syrup Come From?

If you like pancakes, waffles, and French toast, good syrup is essential. Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand is very good, but where does it get its syrup from?

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Review: Prego Released A Really Good Sauce (And 2 Others)

Prego has launched new Margherita, Lemon Alfredo, and Cajun Alfredo sauces, but which one is worth adding to pasta night? We tried them to find out.

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Amy Winehouse’s Ex-Husband Blake Fielder-Civil Breaks Silence: I Didn’t Kill …

Reading Time: 3 minutes

It’s been 15 years since Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment.

At the time, many blamed her ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, for the descent into addiction that eventually claimed her life.

Now, Fielder-Civil is speaking out for the first time about his role in Amy’s final days.

Singer Amy Winehouse kisses fiance Blake Fielder-Civil during day 1 of the Coachella Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Field on April 27, 2007 in Indio, California.
Singer Amy Winehouse kisses fiance Blake Fielder-Civil during day 1 of the Coachella Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Field on April 27, 2007 in Indio, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

In an interview on the “We Need to Talk” podcast, Blake denied any wrongdoing, insisting that “Amy had agency” right up to the very end of her life.

“My stance now is that I know a lot of people, especially people reading media 20 years ago, would have an idea that Amy’s passing is my responsibility,” he said.

“As I’ve always said, I never shirk from any responsibility. If I’ve done something, I’ll put my hand up to it.”

Blake recalled meeting Amy at a pub in London in 2001, and he remembered believing that she was a “beautiful woman.”

While they descended into more serious substance abuse together, Blake maintains that he did not lead Amy down that path.

“Amy herself had agency. And that is in no way at all disrespecting her by saying that, but Amy did what she wanted to do,” he said.

“And even though the drinking had started to hurt her, she carried on… She’s actually a very strong woman.”

To the end, he says, he regarded Amy as his best friend.

“These are memories which are hard for me to revisit. It’s hard for me, ‘cause she’s not here still. That was my best mate, and we were happy. And the drugs was a side of it, eventually,” he said.

“[But] our love had nothing to do with addiction. And addiction had nothing to do with our love. That’s where it went. It wasn’t who we were.”

Fielder-Civil admitted to giving Winehouse heroin for the first time, but he says they were both equally complicit in one another’s substance abuse.

Musician Amy Winehouse (L) and husband musician Blake Fielder-Civil (R) arrive to the 2007 MTV Movie Awards held at the Gibson Amphitheatre on June 3, 2007 in Universal City, California.
Musician Amy Winehouse (L) and husband musician Blake Fielder-Civil (R) arrive to the 2007 MTV Movie Awards held at the Gibson Amphitheatre on June 3, 2007 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images for MTV)

He notes that Amy’s addiction was actually at its worst while he was briefly imprisoned for a bar fight.

“I never blamed a person that gave me drugs for the first time. I’ve never tried to put that on anyone. Why would I?” he said.

“I never understood, do these people think that I forced Amy to do drugs? That’s just not what happened… I’m not shirking responsibility, but this idea of daily facilitating, no. I wasn’t the dealer.”

Winehouse and Fielder-Civil divorced in 2009, but they remained close until her death, speaking regularly during his incarceration.

Blake was in jail when Amy passed away from alcohol poisoning, but he insists that he “would’ve never in a million years have let her just sit and get drunk all day.”

He was unable to attend her funeral due to his imprisonment.

Amy Winehouse’s Ex-Husband Blake Fielder-Civil Breaks Silence: I Didn’t Kill … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Is Christina Haack Engaged AGAIN? Here’s How She Explains Her New Bling

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Is that an engagement ring?

Christina Haack has never gone this long without being married since the public first knew her.

Now, after about a year and a half with her new man, is it time?

She recently stepped out wearing a Cartier ring on that finger. What does she have to say for herself?

Christina Haack in March 2026.
Christina Haack attends HGTV’s first-ever event at the Bachelor Mansion to Celebrate “Bachelor Mansion Takeover” at The Bachelor Mansion on March 12, 2026. Notice that ring on her finger? (Photo Credit: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for HGTV)

There’s a ring, and presumably a story behind it

Recently, headlines have speculated about Christina’s relationship status.

The ring on her left ring finger — typically the finger that houses an engagement ring, a wedding band, or both — had drawn eyes.

HGTV viewers have seen her marriages to Tarek El Moussa, to Ant Anstead, and worst of all, to Josh Hall.

More recently, she has been dating Christopher Larocca. They began dating in autumn 2024.

It is only natural that fans would wonder if they are engaged. But some may have jumped the gun.

Christina Haack wears sunglasses in the car.
During the fifth episode of ‘The Flip Off,’ Christina Haack faces off with her competition. (Image Credit: HGTV)

On Sunday, March 15, Christina Haack took to her Instagram Story to call out a headline.

“Christina Haack flashes a ring on her wedding finger as she says she WOULD get married again… after 3 divorces,” read a headline.

Sure enough, she was sporting a ring in the photo.

The photo stemmed from Christina’s attendance of a March 12 event, HGTV’s Bachelor Mansion Takeover.

Christina’s response? An eyeroll emoji alongside the words: “Bad reporting.”

Christina Haack speaks to the confessional camera on 'The Flip Off' S01E05.
Addressing the confessional camera on ‘The Flip Off,’ Christina Haack discusses her miscalculations. (Image Credit: HGTV)

So what’s with the ring?

To be clear, Christina was wearing a ring at the event.

In her Story post, she explained that it was a special piece of jewelry — one that she had purchased for herself, years ago.

“That ring (that I’ve worn for almost 10 years) is a Cartier love ring (a gift to myself) with my kids’ initials,” she shared.

“And ‘Marriage is just not on my radar right now,’ was my exact quote,” Christina specified.

Oof!

Christina Haack shares that she will soon no longer be Christina Hall on The Flip Off.
During the first teaser trailer for The Flip Off, star Christina Haack tells her ex-husband that she has just officially split with her most recent husband. (Image Credit: HGTV)

From 2009 until their very public split in 2018, Christina was married to Tarek El Moussa.

Later in 2018, she and Ant Anstead married, splitting in 2021.

In 2021, she married Joshua Hall.

That pretty famously did not last, as we have all witnessed from their very public and contentious divorce.

This relationship with Christopher Larocca is the longest — by far — that the public has seen her go without being married. That is very wise of her.

A frustrated Christina Haack on 'The Flip Off' Season 1, Episode 5.
On ‘The Flip Off,’ Christina Haack voices the feeling that her most recent ex is hoping to ‘retire’ off of her after their marriage, which spanned less than three years. (Image Credit: HGTV)

Everyone needs time to be themselves

Christina’s fans are hoping that she will take some time to be herself for a while before she remarries — if she remarries at all.

She has admitted to doing some “stupid things,” romantically speaking, since her split with Tarek.

(That’s not a nice way to refer to Josh … we’re joking!)

No one’s saying (where we’ve seen, anyway) that Christopher isn’t a good dude or potential marriage material.

It’s just that Christina doesn’t need a husband, right? Fans don’t think so, anyway. But ultimately, only she gets to decide that.

Is Christina Haack Engaged AGAIN? Here’s How She Explains Her New Bling was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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The Best Time To Eat At A Steakhouse, According To Chefs

In matters of food, the clock often looms large. The timing of a steakhouse visit can determine whether your meal feels rushed and even how much you pay.

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The Biggest Cottage Cheese Recalls To Sweep The US

Cottage cheese is a protein-rich staple but it requires careful production and storage to remain food safe. Here are the worst cottage cheese recalls in the US.

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