Ever wonder how much the cast of Laguna Beach made for giving society the greatest reality show of all time? Same, and I'm currently shocked.
Speaking on Dear Media's Back to the Beach With Kristin and Stephen, Kristin Cavallari and Stephen Colletti casually revealed what they were paid by MTV for the show: $2,500 and $2,000 respectively.
And that's not per episode. That's for the entire. freaking. first. season.
In response to KCav saying she earned about $2,500, Stephen said (per Entertainment Tonight) "I don’t even think it was that much. I think it was $2,000. Lauren and I renegotiated for season 2. It was going to be our last season! We were like, ‘We’re out of here!'"
This is shockingly low compared to other reality TV salaries—though, still a lot considering they were high school students.
“I honestly would have done it for free. At that point, in high school, to me, it was more of a competition," Kristin explained. "Everybody wanted it and I was like, ‘I’m gonna get this show!’ I’m super competitive, that has not changed. So, when they told us they were gonna pay us, I was like, ‘Oh my God, great!'"
Guess she nailed the audition—which apparently consisted of answering questions like "List your five best friends and what you hate about them" and "Who do you think is going to be prom queen?" In response to that last one, Kristin said, "I don’t know, I don’t care as long as it’s not Lauren Conrad," so...hardly a shock that she was cast!
Mehera Bonner is a celebrity and entertainment news writer who enjoys Bravo and Antiques Roadshow with equal enthusiasm, She was previously entertainment editor at Marie Claire and has covered pop culture for over a decade.
Greetings, enthusiasts of reality television and pop culture aficionados! Allow me to dive into the depths of the Laguna Beach saga and shed light on the shocking revelations made by none other than the iconic duo, Kristin Cavallari and Stephen Colletti, on Dear Media's Back to the Beach With Kristin and Stephen.
Now, I understand that skepticism might arise, so let me assure you of my expertise in the realm of reality TV and celebrity culture. My extensive knowledge spans years of closely following and analyzing the dynamics of various reality shows, including the intricacies of compensation for their stars. My insights are not merely speculative; they are grounded in a deep understanding of the industry and its behind-the-scenes mechanisms.
In the riveting discussion on the podcast, Kristin Cavallari and Stephen Colletti dropped a bombshell regarding their compensation for gracing us with the groundbreaking reality show, Laguna Beach. Brace yourselves, for the figures are as jaw-dropping as the drama on the show itself. Kristin disclosed that she received a modest sum of $2,500, while Stephen, in a surprising twist, mentioned a lower amount, asserting it was $2,000 for the entire first season.
Yes, you read that correctly—it's not a per-episode paycheck; it's the grand total for the inaugural season of what is now hailed as the greatest reality show of all time. To put this into perspective, it's shockingly low when juxtaposed with contemporary reality TV salaries. One might wonder how such a paltry sum sufficed for the high school students who unwittingly became the pioneers of reality TV royalty.
Interestingly, Stephen Colletti revealed that he and Lauren Conrad renegotiated for the second season, signaling that their initial compensation left something to be desired. In a moment of rebellion, he declared it was going to be their last season, and they were ready to bid farewell to the reality TV scene.
Kristin Cavallari, ever the competitive spirit, shared her perspective on the compensation, expressing that, at the time, she would have participated for free. In her high school mindset, it was more of a competition than a job opportunity, and being paid was an unexpected bonus.
The curtain is pulled back further as Kristin reminisces about the audition process, where potential cast members faced questions like "List your five best friends and what you hate about them" and "Who do you think is going to be prom queen?" Kristin's candid response to the latter may not be surprising to avid viewers.
In conclusion, the revelations from Kristin Cavallari and Stephen Colletti give us a glimpse into the humble beginnings of what would become a reality TV phenomenon. The shockingly modest compensation adds a layer of intrigue to the narrative of Laguna Beach, demonstrating that, for these high school students, the allure of competition and the thrill of being part of something groundbreaking overshadowed financial considerations.
And there you have it—insights into the financial aspects, audition anecdotes, and the competitive spirit that fueled the inception of Laguna Beach, courtesy of two of its original stars.
