This week we learned American pop icon Katy Perry is being offered US$25 million to be on a single season of American Idol. Yep, being a celebrity pays, amiright?
It made us wonder… How much are other celebrities paid to be on our television screens? We don’t think twice when the names of international pop stars – people who’ve filled entire arenas during concerts, who have millions of fans, who make headlines when they grace red carpets – grace our television screens. But, obviously, there’s more to it. And that ‘more’ sounds a lot like dollar signs.
Here’s what we found out.
At the start of last year, Delta Goodrem threatened to walk off the set of The Voice due to reported bullying from her co-judges Jessie J, Joel Madden and Benji Madden.
Negotiations followed this, in which Goodrem pushed back against her fellow mentors, as well as asked for a pay rise. It’s reported her pay package increased from $800,000 to $2 million per season in the one go.
Yep, Delta pockets HUGE money while perched on that spinning chair.
The problem with Molly Meldrum at the Logies. Post continues below.
Delta’s $2 million is significantly less than Kylie Minogue’s reported earnings for her stint on the same show in 2014.
It was reported the Locomotion singer was paid $7 million for her judging role on The Voice Australia. A figure that caused controversy considering her sister Dannii Minogue was paid $5 million less – $2 million in total – to judge rival show The X Factor Australia.
Also on the X Factor panel, Redfoo was paid $2 million and Natalie Bassingthwaighte $1.25 million.
Though very few of us would be turning down offers of $2 million for a few months work, the salaries of celebrities on TV in Australia are significantly overshadowed by their counterparts in the US.
There is Katy Perry and her $US25 million.
There was Mariah Carey who was offered $18 million for her presence on the American Idol judging panel in 2013 - an experience she's since described as "the worst of her life".
Miley Cyrus was reportedly offered $US13 million for her season on the same show.
Finally, there is Simon Cowell who, it's reported, makes close to $US100 million for his role on The X Factor. (It helps that he owns the show).
Top Comments
Delta’s $2 million is significantly less than Kylie Minogue’s reported earnings for her stint on the same show in 2014.
It was reported the Locomotion singer was paid $7 million for her judging role on The Voice Australia. A figure that caused controversy considering her sister Dannii Minogue was paid $5 million less – $2 million in total – to judge rival show The X Factor Australia."
I doubt it was really considered that controversial. These celebrities net worth is based on their career longevity and success. Kylie has a loyal fan base (particularly so in the LGBTQ community), has had international success, and has stuck around now since the late 1980's. Even if you don't like her music, you can't begrudge her for commanding a price that reflects that track record. Dannii and Delta simply can't compete with those credentials, so of course they get paid less.
If anything, the 2 mill price tag that Delta managed may be considered to be fairly impressive, given her comparative success has been quite modest, particularly of late. I suspect the international names on the Voice probably get paid a heck of a lot more than 2 mill. By-the-by, a judge's credibility is also based on their track record, which I suspect is part of the reason Delta rubs people up the wrong way. She doesn't really bring a great depth of experience to the table, so this is in opposition to the all knowing "mentor" role she assumes on The Voice. Having her pay packet made public probably won't win her much support or sympathy, just quietly.
As for comparing Australian celebrity pay packets to their US equivalents: irrelevant. The US market is much bigger, with more payoff to the networks for ratings - therefore, bigger slices of a much larger pie to go around.
YES YES YES! Spot on Guest.