Chrissy Teigen has officially leveled up—from holding a briefcase to holding contestants’ fates in her perfectly manicured hands.
After weeks of wild internet guesses (some of which were truly unhinged), NBC has confirmed that the 39-year-old model, cookbook queen, and Twitter clapback champion is stepping into the high-stakes role of The Banker on Deal or No Deal Island Season 2.
And honestly? This is some serious full-circle reality TV magic.
From Briefcase Babe to Game Show Puppet Master
Let’s take it back to 2005—a simpler time when Chrissy was just a young model rocking stilettos, standing next to a silver briefcase, and pretending to understand basic math. She held the #12 case on the original Deal or No Deal, blissfully unaware that one day, she’d be the one torturing contestants with suspenseful phone calls.
“It was one of my first jobs in entertainment ever,” Chrissy spilled to Entertainment Weekly, getting all nostalgic about the days when her only job was to smile and look mysterious. “I really learned so much… just having an earpiece, all the little things—it’s what started everything.”
That’s right. Before she was a best-selling author, a meme queen, and John Legend’s favorite human, Chrissy was studying the art of waiting dramatically for Howie Mandel to open a briefcase.
And according to her, this was a life-changing experience. “I got to work with really incredible women… I don’t know if I would’ve continued in entertainment if I didn’t have such a good experience on that set.”
Who’s the Boss Now? Chrissy, That’s Who
For Season 1 of Deal or No Deal Island, Howie Mandel was the banker. But let’s be real: Howie was already juggling being a comedian, a judge on America’s Got Talent, and the human embodiment of germophobia. The man needed a break.
So, when he stepped down, fans of the show went full detective mode, throwing out names like Kelly Clarkson, Heidi Klum, and even Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran as possible replacements. (Barbara Corcoran as The Banker? What, was Mr. Wonderful too busy?)
But now, we know the truth: Chrissy Teigen is the mastermind pulling the strings. Expect sarcastic phone calls, dramatic sighs, and maybe even some snack breaks in between deal negotiations.
The Season 2 finale of Deal or No Deal Island drops Tuesday, March 25 on NBC. Grab your lucky number, cross your fingers, and pray Chrissy doesn’t troll you mid-game.
