American Idol Season 20 came to a close on Sunday, May 22, crowning Noah Thompson as its newest Idol. But what exactly does that mean for Noah? Here’s everything American Idol winners and runners-up receive after the show, including prizes, contracts, and payments.
Do ‘American Idol’ contestants get paid for joining the show?
American Idol contestants start raking in financial benefits long before a winner takes home the trophy. As Fox Business revealed in 2016, the Top 24 artists each season receive payment based on how many hours they spend filming. For example, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) pays contestants $1,571 and meals for a two-hour episode. Meanwhile, a one-hour show pays $1,303.
In addition to the payments, contestants also receive a $450 stipend for clothing. However, as Vanity Fair contributing editor Richard Rushfield told Fox Business, they often dip into their own personal budgets for clothing because $450 doesn’t cover an entire wardrobe in Hollywood. They can then keep the clothes after the competition ends.
The most recent information on prizes for American Idol winners came in 2019 when season 17 third-place winner Madison VanDenburg’s contract leaked, as Newsweek reported. According to the contract, American Idol winners receive a record deal with the Disney-owned studio Hollywood Records. That record deal reportedly comes with $250,000, split into two payments.
The first $125,000 comes when artists sign the contract, followed by the remaining $125,000 when the singer finishes their album. The winners also receive a $300,000 advance to record the album, plus additional money for living expenses. However, they do need to pay back the advance, as well as 50% of marketing costs, with album sales. Additionally, as Newsweek points out, some of the money likely goes to managers and lawyers.
Do ‘American Idol’ runners-up get any prizes?
Second-place American Idol winners have the chance to take home prizes, as well. During the finale on Sunday night, the Top 2 artists — Noah Thompson and HunterGirl — received trips on Disney’s new Disney Wish cruise to the Bahamas with three guests each.
According to VanDenburg’s contract, American Idol runners-up could also receive a contract with Hollywood Records, albeit a smaller one. As The Blast notes, runners-up may receive $87,500 initially and then another $87,000 for a completed album.
The American Idol prize packages have changed drastically over the years. As The New York Times revealed, earlier winners, including season 4 winner Carrie Underwood, received a $1 million recording contract, plus free access to a private jet and a car. It’s unclear why American Idol cut down the prizes or when exactly the changes occurred.
American Idol Season 20 is now streaming on Hulu. Stay tuned to Showbiz Cheat Sheet for more updates on the show and its winners.
The winner usually receives a record deal with a major label, which may be for up to six albums, and secures a management contract with American Idol-affiliated 19 Management (which has the right of first refusal to sign all contestants), as well as various lucrative contracts.
Since the first season, American Idol winners have taken home a $250,000 (£200,000) cash prize plus a record deal which often proves to be even more valuable. The prize money is awarded in two halves - the first half comes when they sign their record deal, and the second half when the album is completed.
Danielle sang her song "Dream Girl," and Tongi performed his original single "I'll Be Seeing You," which ultimately won him the coveted $250,000 prize and a recording contract with Hollywood Records/19 Recordings.
The show provides a weekly fashion budget of $450 for each contestant, and you can work with the show's stylist to figure out the best outfit for that week's performance.
In addition to all of the contracts and agreements required to take part in the show, whoever comes out on top has to sign a record contract with the show's label of choice and continue to work with production company 19 Entertainment, which used to produce the reality competition.
1. Carrie Underwood. Carrie Underwood earned the title of "American Idol" during season four of the show. The win launched her country-pop career and has made her one of the richest country music stars.
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, fill out the necessary paperwork, and then wait for someone to call your name.
The initial contract extends for three years, although 19 continues to collect a percentage of some of the contestant's earnings for 10 years. The winner is not the only contestant who earns after the show. Last year the runner-up — Adam Lambert, whose first-week album sales were more than double those of Mr.
Each winner of The Voice reportedly gets $100,000 and a record deal with Universal Music Group. By comparison, the winner of American Idol reportedly earns $250,000, plus a $1,000 weekly stipend while recording their album.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Seacrest made $5 million per season for the seasons one through eight of American Idol. In 2009, he signed a $45 million deal to continue to host American Idol for seasons nine through eleven, which paid him $15 million each season.
Just Jared revealed in 2018 that Richie earns $10 million, while Seacrest and Bryan make $12 million each.Meanwhile, Perry, earns more than any other judge, making a whopping $25 million per season.
American Idol does cover travel and housing expenses for those who go to Hollywood, which is the Top 20. They receive a small budget for other expenses, as well as money for fashion so they can pick out outfits when they perform on stage.
Just as "Survivor" contestants leave their jobs (sometimes negotiating with their bosses to return after their seven or eight weeks away), "American Idol" contestants leave their lives behind. So do family members who travel to Los Angeles to support their loved one — on their own dime. Are contestants paid?Yes.
ARE THE FINALIST'S FAMILIES COMPENSATED FOR BEING IN THE AUDIENCE? Even though American Idol loves to utilize the finalists' friends and family sitting in the audience, either by airing reactions or actually bringing them up on stage, they do not compensate them for their expenses.
Hands down the most successful male to lose the “American Idol” title, Adam Lambert has had no trouble rising to fame. Lambert was the Season 8 runner-up to Kris Allen in 2009. Lambert's star has far surpassed Allen's and his net worth is estimated at over $20 million.
Katy makes a reported $25 million per season of American Idol, but according to the source the money doesn't matter as much as her legacy: "[Katy's decision to quit] is not a money thing.
Just above him is Luke, with the 46-year-old country sensation earning a hefty $12 million per season (almost $100 million so far, if you do the math).
How much do American Idol judges get paid? According to Celebrity Net Worth, Katy Perry is the highest paid judge on American Idol, receiving $25 million. Luke Bryan takes home $12 million for his role, whilst Lionel Ritchie earns $10 million.
Her work with veterans as a music therapist has helped so many people. Her record deal is the result of her hard work and dedication. HunterGirl is sure to have a very successful career in country music.
Kelly won the hearts of the nation whilst competing on the show in 2002, which left her not only with the coveted Oscars-style trophy but also a whopping $1million and a recording contract with star label with RCA records.
The winner usually receives a record deal with a major label, which may be for up to six albums, and secures a management contract with American Idol-affiliated 19 Management (which has the right of first refusal to sign all contestants), as well as various lucrative contracts.
$28 million a year.) It's unclear if the “Since U Been Gone” singer has received a raise since then (she has won three seasons), but if she has, her paycheck could likely be the highest of any Voice coach.
How much does Blake Shelton make per episode of The Voice? Shelton makes $13 million per season of The Voice. With each season having 26 episodes, that means Shelton makes $500,000 per episode.
Kelly Clarkson edged out runner-up Justin Guarini on Sept. 4, 2002, to become the very first winner of American Idol. The Texas-born singer joined the show to pursue a career in music, taking the winning title at the age of 20. She wrapped the finale with a famed performance of her debut single, "A Moment Like This."
They're also expected to pay back 50% of the marketing cost after the album's release. The runner-up will sometimes also be offered a record deal by the show's affiliate record label, though they usually receive an advance and deal only half of the size of the winner's.
Kelly Ripa reportedly earns in the $20 million range each year for her role as the senior co-host of Live!. As each season consists of around 257 to 259 episodes, that means she earns around $77,520 per episode, give or take.
Lopez judged American Idol starting in Season 10 with a rumored salary of $12 million. She returned for Season 11 with a raise to $15 million. She was replaced with Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey for Season 12, but returned for Seasons 13, 14 and 15 with a reported salary of $17.5 million each.
For her single season acting as a judge on American Idol, Mariah was reportedly paid $18 million (via StyleCaster). That means she was getting paid around three times that of long-time judge Randy Jackson, who left after that season.
In 2019, Cowell became a vegan after doctors advised him to change his diet for health reasons. He was also named one of the wealthiest people in the UK by the Sunday Times Rich List, Cowell was worth £385 million in 2019.
Season 21 of American Idol takes contestants to Aulani Disney Resort & Spa. After passing auditions, contestants will travel to Hawaii to work with celebrity mentors on their vocal skills. They will also perform at the resort located on the southwestern tip of Oahu.
Who pays for the trips to Hawaii? As part of the show, every contestant that makes it into the top 40 has their expenses paid for as they travel to Hawaii to compete on the show.
Once American Idol contestants make it to the top 12, their room and board is covered. However, the contestants aren't always living it up at Four Seasons-esque lodgings.
Like many reality shows, American Idol has faced rumors of being scripted for as long as it's been around. Without hearing it directly from American Idol producers, there's no telling exactly how much is scripted or staged versus the real deal. However, past contestants and even judges have spoken on the matter.
Manfred Westphal, a spokesman for American Idol said, “Due to extensive choreography and to balance their voices with open mikes against a screaming audience, the Idols do sing along to their own prerecorded vocal track during the group performances only.”
Who pays for the trips to Hawaii? As part of the show, every contestant that makes it into the top 40 has their expenses paid for as they travel to Hawaii to compete on the show. They also get a couple of meals a day.
The premise is simple: If an artist passes the blind audition, they choose their celebrity coach and move on to the competition part of the show. If contestants want to bring home the $100,000 prize and a record deal with Universal Music Group, though, they have to work hard — and follow a set of rules.
The runner-up will sometimes also be offered a record deal by the show's affiliate record label, though they usually receive an advance and deal only half of the size of the winner's.
Just Jared revealed in 2018 that Richie earns $10 million, while Seacrest and Bryan make $12 million each.Meanwhile, Perry, earns more than any other judge, making a whopping $25 million per season.
Since its debut in 2011, “The Voice” has been responsible for creating some of the biggest chart-toppers in the music industry. Superstars like Jordan Smith, Sawyer Fredericks and Cassadee Pope all have NBC's reality TV program to thank for making them household names.
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Introduction: My name is Virgilio Hermann JD, I am a fine, gifted, beautiful, encouraging, kind, talented, zealous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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