Meghan Markle defended by Deal or No Deal star

Before landing the role of Rachel Zane in the hit series Suits, Meghan Markle appeared in over 34 episodes of the US version of Deal or No Deal amongst 25 other women presenting briefcases containing the show’s cash prizes. The Duchess of Sussex sparked a debate when she claimed she felt demeaned during her stint on the game show, and the series’ former host Howie Mandel has since offered his view.Howie insisted Meghan wasn’t ‘maligning’ the series or ‘complaining’ about her Deal or No Deal role with her recent comments.The America’s Got Talent judge presented the series from 2005-2019, and admitted he didn’t understand the backlash to Meghan’s experience.’I’ve never really heard anybody complain, and I don’t think Meghan is complaining,’ he said.’I think Meghan just said she wanted to do more. It wasn’t fulfilling for her.’READ MORE: Strictly’s Tony Adams could make final after new evidence exposed Meghan Markle fiercely defended by Deal or No Deal star: ‘She wasn’t complaining’ (Image: Getty/NBC) Meghan Markle: Howie Mandel has come to the Duchess of Sussex’s defence (Image: NBC) Meghan Markle starred as a ‘briefcase girl’ in over 30 episodes (Image: NBC) Meghan Markle made a rare public appearance at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral (Image: Getty)’They weren’t just pointing out gifts and opening [cases]. A lot of times they were mic’d and they had their input.’Despite the former host maintaining there weren’t complaints from the ‘briefcase girls’, Meghan felt like she was pushed into a ‘cookie cutter’ ideal of beauty.In her Archetypes podcast, she recalled: ‘When I look back at that time, I’ll never forget this one detail. …’There was a woman who ran the show and she’d be there backstage and I can still hear her … she’d go, ‘Markle, suck it in! Markle, suck it in!’DON’T MISS:’I’m not satisfied at all’ The Walking Dead star slams final episodes [COMMENT]Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown delivers disappointing update [LATEST]The White Lotus’ Theo James ‘toned down’ nude scene [INTERVIEW]’And by the way, I was surrounded by smart women on that stage with me, but that wasn’t the focus of why we were there.’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.’Her former co-star sympathised with Meghan’s remarks, as Howie left the role after he started to feel similarly objectified.’I get it because – I’ve never said this before – but they had this pyramid of 26 beautiful, intelligent women standing there just staring at me like I was a piece of meat,’ he said.