They’re the TV shows which dominate the ratings, with their stars often going on to score endorsement deals or become red carpet regulars.
But you’d be wrong in thinking reality TV stars were making bank for their appearance, with those on shows such as My Kitchen Rules and Married At First Sight paid a paltry sum.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday most contestants were ‘paid less than $100 a day’, below the minimum wage.
‘It is below minimum wage’ Shockingly low pay of Australia’s reality TV stars revealed as My Kitchen Rules and Married At First Sight dominate the ratings
According to the publication, Married At First Sight stars were paid $150 a day to marry a complete stranger and hash it out in front of the cameras.
Meanwhile, an unnamed Bachelor contestant complained that their compensation for being stuck in the mansion was modest.
‘You don’t get paid a wage as such, you get given a weekly expense allowance which is under $100 a day. It is below minimum wage,’ she told News Corp.
Covering costs: The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday most contestants were ‘paid less than $100 a day’, below the minimum wage
Worth it? According to the publication, Married At First Sight stars were paid $150 a day to marry a complete stranger and hash it out in front of the cameras
‘It’s ridiculous what you get paid. A lot of the girls were excited to get that amount a week, but I was like are you serious I wouldn’t get out of bed for that.’
A 2016 Fairfax Media report also claimed Bachelor contestants made just $90 a day.
Meanwhile The Block 2016 stars Andy Sunderland and Ben Toyne previously revealed to Meshel Laurie that stars are only paid during the filming period, not the months the show is in post-production or airing on TV.
‘You get given a weekly expense allowance which is under $100 a day’: An unnamed Bachelor contestant complained that their compensation for being stuck in the mansion was modest
‘Here’s a bit of showbiz reality for you, these kids had to quit their jobs to do The Block, but only got paid during the actual filming, which finished months ago,’ Meshel wrote on Facebook in 2016.
Despite the lower than average salaries, some contestants are happy to stay on the show and make their money.
Last year’s Married At First Sight Susan Rawlings claimed her ‘husband’ Sean Hollands had only stayed on the show because he ‘needed money’.
‘These kids had to quit their jobs to do The Block, but only got paid during the actual filming, which finished months age’: The Block 2016 stars Andy Sunderland and Ben Toyne previously revealed to Meshel Laurie that stars are only paid during the filming period
Report: Last year’s Married At First Sight Susan Rawlings claimed her ‘husband’ Sean Hollands had only stayed on the show because he ‘needed money’
‘His kids were crying to him on Skype: ‘Please come home daddy, we don’t really know why you’re away for so long’,’ she told news.com.au.
‘And I said, ‘No, you need to go, we’re just friends, you need to go’. And he’s like, ‘Nah, I need the money”.’
Established stars appearing on I’m A Celebrity will make a minimum of $10,000 for their appearance.
Hefty pay: Comedian Tom Arnold claimed on Twitter he earnt ‘$600k-$700k’
Claims: News Corp claims Bernard Tomic would have made $1 million if he lasted more than two weeks in the jungle
News Corp claims Bernard Tomic would have made $1 million if he lasted more than two weeks in the jungle.
More famous names will make significantly more, with comedian Tom Arnold claiming on Twitter he earnt ‘$600k-$700k’.
Meanwhile the stars of the Real Housewives Of Melbourne make ‘at least $70,000’ per season, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Seven, Nine and Ten for comment.
Worth the cat fights? The stars of the Real Housewives Of Melbourne make ‘at least $70,000’ per season, it is claimed