THROUGHOUT the years, many contestants have sung their hearts out as they’ve competed to impress judges and viewers on American Idol.
Yet with a signing contest that’s produced thousands of wannabe superstars, fans of the series have called their compensation into question.
Are American Idol contestants paid to be on the show?
American Idol first debuted on Fox on June 11, 2002.
Since then, there have been 15 seasons as the singing contest moved to ABC in 2018.
In the 20 year history of the singing contest, thousands of contestants have competed with many even giving up their jobs to record episodes.
Consequentially, the show has a compensation structure in place for those that get to latter stages.
Read more on American Idol
Fox Business previously confirmed that contestants who make the top 12, which has since expanded to 24 – receive pay checks according to the length of time that they film.
A two hour episode reaps roughly £1,50, a one hour show reaps roughly £1,300 and a 30 minutes show reaps $910.
Contestants also reportedly received $450 to spend on clothes while food is included.
However, in order to be able to receive that pay, they must have enrolled in the AFTRA union, which is a $1,600 payment upfront.
Do contestants have to pay to audition for American Idol?
The good news for wannabe contestants is that auditioning for American Idol is completely free.
You only need to show up and fill out the necessary paperwork, then wait for someone to call your name.
Contestants first audition with producers before they decide if you’re good enough, or some cases amusing enough, to perform in front of the celebrity judges.
According to Fox Business, however, the real costs begins if they accept you as a contestant.
This is because you have to follow the show from state to state for further rounds of auditions – incurring expensive travel and hotel costs.
“What the TV audience doesn’t see is, if you’re from San Diego and you audition and make it through in St. Louis, then you have to return to St. Louis a month or two later for the next round, and then again for the third round,” Richard Rushfield, author of American Idol: The Untold Story said.
“Some can’t afford to and drop out.”
How much do American Idol winners get in prize money?
The Blast reportedly obtained a contract signed by a 17-year-old contestant in 2019 that revealed that the winner of the show gets a payout of around $250,000.
When the show crowns a winner, that winner is signed to Hollywood Records, and that’s when they get their first $125,000.
They then receive a further $125,000 after producing their first album.
Winners can also take parts in summer tours with the show which can also earn them a hefty pay out.
Previously, victors such as Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson reportedly made $13 million and $11.7 respectively during their time on American Idol.
