Inside American Idol’s biggest secrets – paychecks to | Music News
American Idol continues to draw consideration for its performances and competitors format after 23 seasons. Over the years, a number of former contestants have shared what the method is like off-camera from compensation to journey to what occurs after a contestant is distributed home.
“You don’t receives a commission till you make it to the stay rounds and then you definately might be paid,” explained alumni Maggie Mays on her social media. She added that she was paid to appear in commercials and for returning to perform in the finale after being eliminated. “They’re not paying you to be a contestant. That’s the sacrifice you make to try to win.”
Season 16 winner Maddie Poppe told Business Insider: “You do get $250,000, but not really because of taxes. And you get half of it before you complete your record, and then the second half you get after you complete the record. So it’s just like an advance from the record deal, but I’m pretty sure I have to recoup it.”
“Once you get to Hollywood Week, they put you up, cover flights, and all that,” said season 7 winner David Cook.
Margie Mays explained: “They’ll get you from the airport to the hotel. Hotel is paid for. Meals are provided.”
Victoria Johnson, who was 16 during season 22, told University Press: “They had me do the required school hours … I just did puzzles the whole time because I didn’t have any schoolwork to do.”
Living arrangements have changed over the years. Earlier seasons featured giant shared homes, whereas more current contestants like Abi Carter and Julia Gagnon have stayed in lodges.
Ruben Studdard, who received season 2, recalled the schedule being constant each week: choosing and rehearsing songs, filming commercials, and getting ready for stay reveals.
“Wednesday is the elimination, and then it starts all over,” he mentioned.
Season 13 runner-up Jena Irene Asciutto mentioned the workload elevated because the group bought smaller. “We were needed for more things,” she informed Business Insider. “At like top eight was when we started doing Ford commercials every Sunday.”
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