‘American Idol’ Contestants’ Pay Will Blow Your Mind
American Idol is back, and many fans have asked if the show pays its competitors. While the winner gets money and a record deal, the other contestants must remain on location to win it all. Since they can’t work while they are there, fans wonder how they can pay their bills while trying to make their dreams come true – especially those with kids.
Here is what you need to know about American Idol and how it pays the contestants for their appearances.
American Idol Pays The Competitors While They Are On The Show
American Idol pays their competitors, and they don’t have a choice not to. However, this doesn’t start until the players hit the Top 24 on the show. This makes them official cast members, and this means they have to join the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), which costs $3,000 (via Taste of Country).
That is likely expensive for many of the contestants. However, once they sign up with AFTRA, they make $1,571 for a two-hour episode they appear on and $1,303 for a one-hour episode. If they are on a half-hour episode, they make $910. It would take three hours to make back the $3,000 so they can break even.
However, they also get $400 as a wardrobe allowance per episode. They get to keep the clothes. With that in mind, the big money comes to the Top 12. This group participates in the summer tour, which pays each contestant around $150,000.
The eventual winner doesn’t just get a record deal. They also win $125,000 and a $300,000 advance for the album, which is paid back in record sales. However, as Just Sam learned, if the winner doesn’t finish the album, they must repay this advance. When they complete the album, they get another $100,000.
These Are Lower Than Past American Idol Winnings
In the early seasons after Kelly Clarkson, American Idol was a ratings juggernaut and created several major musical stars. In those days, the winners made a lot more money for their victories.
When Carrie Underwood won in 2005, she also took home a $1 million recording contract, a Ford Mustang, and the use of a private jet. This means the new winners get a quarter of what Underwood won in her season. Of course, Underwood was guaranteed to sell a ton of albums, and the music world has now changed with streaming services.
The contestants also make almost nothing compared to the judges. In some shocking news, Carrie Underwood makes between $10 million and $12.5 million, Luke Bruan makes $12 million, and Lionel Richie makes $10 million. Even host Ryan Seacrest takes home $12 million (as of his 2017 salary).
Are you surprised at what the American Idol contestants make per episode? Did you think they made more or less than what they actually do for appearing on each episode of the series? Is it worth it with the cost of joining AFTRA? What are your thoughts so far this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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