Dressed seductively, smiled, strutted on stage and cashed big checks. Its understandable why throughout history actresses have been equated to prostitutes. Merkle may have regrets but she knew what she was doing, and avidly competed for the well paying job.
I doubt they were big checks. TV models usually earn union scale. Unless they achieve star status on a top show, like that blonde Wheel of Fortune model from many years ago. (I forget her name.)
But I don't think Markle was on a top show. Nor did she achieve star status on it.