‘It’s not based on money’: Sonia Kruger reveals why she returned to Seven after eight years at Nine – and says she has ‘no problem’ with taking a 20% pay cut amid the coronavirus pandemic
Sonia Kruger quit the Nine Network live on-air during Today Extra in November.
And as she prepares to host the reboot of Big Brother on Channel Seven, the 54-year-old revealed why she returned to her old stomping ground.
Gracing the cover of Stellar magazine for The Sunday Telegraph, the mother-of-one said it’s never been about the money, but rather the need to ‘reinvent yourself’.
‘It’s not based on money’: Sonia Kruger, 54, revealed to Stellar magazine in The Sunday Telegraph why she returned to Channel Seven after eight years at rival network Nine
‘Most people are “lifers” at each network, so I feel kind of lucky that I got to work for both Seven and Nine because they’re different in their own ways, and two of the most powerful networks in the country,’ Sonia explained.
With reports she was offered a ‘seven figure deal’ by Seven, the former professional dancer insisted that her defection had nothing to do with money.
‘For me, it doesn’t come down to the money, it comes down to the role. I’ve always been of the opinion that you need to keep reinventing yourself,’ she said.
Sonia also revealed that like other Seven employees, she has received a 20 per cent pay cut amid the coronavirus pandemic.
‘It comes down to the role’: Sonia, who is preparing to host the reboot of Big Brother on Seven, said that it was never about money, but rather the need to ‘reinvent yourself’
The former Today Extra host said she ‘understands why’ and has ‘no problem’ with it, as the entertainment industry has been hit hard amid such challenging times.
Sonia dramatically resigned from Nine on air last year, where she had been a fixture at the network for eight years.
The TV personality broke down as she revealed her plans to ‘do something new’ and ‘spread her wings’, while her co-host David Campbell, 46, watched on in shock.
‘After eight fabulous years, I’m leaving the show and the Nine Network. I have had an amazing time here,’ Sonia said, as David pleaded for her not to cry.
Pay cut: The TV personality also told Stellar that like other Seven employees, she has taken a 20 per cent pay cut amid the coronavirus pandemic, and ‘understands why’ it had to be done
‘I’m leaving the show and Nine’: Sonia resigned live on air on Today Extra in November last year, after eight years with the network. Pictured with co-host David Campbell, 46
An insider told Daily Mail Australia at the time: ‘She’s leaving because Channel Seven are prepared to pay far more money than Channel Nine.’
The insider claimed her new salary at Seven is said to be a package worth as much as $4million over three years, or $1.3million per year.
However, a source close to Sonia said her salary is ‘basically the same’ as she was on at Nine – with her move more to do with career opportunities than money.
Sonia signed on with Nine in late 2011. Nine had reportedly offered Sonia a new three-year contract worth over $1.5million, but negotiations hit a wall.
New chapter: The mother-of-one broke down as she revealed her plans to ‘do something new’ and ‘spread her wings’, while David watched on in shock
Read more: The full interview is featured in Stellar magazine in The Sunday Telegraph