Do Contestants on 'American Idol' Get Paid? Here's What We Know

Publish date: 2024-05-18

Here's the age-old query — do contestants competing for his or her shot on 'American Idol' get paid while they are competing? Here's what we know.

Source: ABC

It's the age-old query that any fan of reality TV has when watching eager contestants try to achieve glory on their favorite series.

Are they getting paid whilst they're still contestants?

For instance, American Idol hopefuls that make it a long way spend a large number of time on the display, prepping for the next spherical, desperate to be the last singer status.

So, do American Idol contestants get paid whilst they are still just contestants? Here's what we know.

Source: ABC

Hannah Nicolaisen and Warren Peay

Do 'American Idol' contestants get paid?

A 2016 report from Fox Business reveals that the solution is yes, American Idol contestants do get paid — on the other hand, there's a main caveat.

Contestants need to make it to a certain point within the competition to be able to start getting paid for their time. How far do contestants have to advance to get an Idol paycheck?

The Fox Business report, based on Richard Rushfield's e-book titled, American Idol: The Untold Story, reveals that the top 24 contestants are paid a performance fee by The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists while they are nonetheless contestants— after that, they pay AFTRA $1600 to transform contributors!

Source: YouTube

American Idol

OK — So how a lot do 'American Idol' contestants make?

American Idol contestants reportedly make $1,303 for 1 hour presentations, $1,571 for two hour presentations, plus the price of foods during the shows.

And sure, the American Idol contestants even generate profits all the way through the 30 minutes results displays — $910 in keeping with each and every half-hour effects episode to be precise.

What about their outfits? Do they have got to buy an entirely new cloth wardrobe like contestants on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette?

Richard printed that American Idol contestants get a $450 stipend and time with a manner advisor when they make the highest 12. They aren't required to make use of it on efficiency outfits, however that's typically what it is supposed for.

Source: YouTube

American Idol

Once American Idol contestants make it to the top 12, their room and board is covered. However, the contestants don't seem to be always residing it up at Four Seasons-esque lodgings.

Richard notes in his findings that, "There have been years where they want to show it on the air so they put them up in mansions in the Hollywood hills; other years, they've put them up in this apartment complex that's not seen on the air...It's nothing fancy, but it's not squalor."

The thing more that American Idol contestants don't get paid for? Fare for their circle of relatives's go back and forth expenses. If a circle of relatives wants to fly out to peer their beloved one compete on the American Idol finals they have got to pay for the whole lot themselves.

Source: YouTube

American Idol

However, if American Idol contestants are gifted enough to make it to the top 10 or 12, in addition they have the payday from the American Idol summer season tour to look ahead to, which is in most cases about $150,000. So, in other words, contestants are making a song their hearts out each and every week for a reason why, and it's not only for the glory of the American Idol title!

You can catch new episodes of American Idol each and every Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

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