Watching unknown, everyday Australians step out of their comfort zone on reality TV is dramatic enough. So when a bunch of celebrities are thrown into the mix, it’s a recipe for peak entertainment.
Throughout the years, we’ve seen countless Aussie stars try their hand as shows like SAS Australia, Big Brother VIP and of course, our personal favourite, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Then there are the stars who have been cast as the leading man or lady on The Bachelor franchise, and others who’ve leveraged their fame to go on and host other reality shows.
With dramatic redemption arcs (a la Sam Burgess on SAS Australia) and loyal fanbases, celebs always command a huge audience – and an even bigger pay check!
Keep scrolling to see the astonishing amounts Aussie celebs have been paid to appear on our favourite reality TV shows.
Shane Warne – I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
The late cricketing legend was paid very handsomely for his appearance on the show in 2016 and reportedly pocketed a whopping $2 million for his stint in the jungle!
In his book No Spin, Shane wrote about Network Ten approaching him to star on the show back in 2014: “I scared them off with a figure of two million bucks or nothing,” he wrote.
Dannii Minogue – The Masked Singer
Dannii Minogue reportedly earned $500,000 to appear on the judging panel of the 2020 season of The Masked Singer. A source told New Idea that production covered first class flights from LA for the singer and her son Ethan, 12, as well as the Gold Coast mansion they quarantined at.
Sophie Monk – The Bachelorette
She already had a two-decade-long career in showbusiness under her belt when she landed The Bachelorette‘s lead role in 2017, so it’s no surprise Sophie commanded a huge pay check for her time. The Courier Mail claimed that Sophie took home a stunning $300,000 for her season.
While Network Ten declined to comment on the salary rumours, an insider explained, “Sophie will earn a lot more (than previous Bachelors and Bachelorettes) because her management would have negotiated well.”
Abbie Chatfield – The Masker Singer*
Undoubtedly The Bachelor franchise’s most successful star, Abbie will reportedly make $100,000 to be a judge on Channel Ten’s The Masked Singer, gossip podcast So Dramatic! reported in June 2022.
Despite making 10 times more than what she made on The Bachelor (literally, she made $10,000 for her time on Matt Agnew’s season), Abbie’s new salary pales in comparison to that of co-judge Mel B. The former Spice Girl is set to rake in a whopping $500,000 to appear on The Masked Singer.
Caitlyn Jenner – Big Brother VIP
While not an Aussie reality star, we couldn’t leave Caitlyn off this list given the absurd amount she was paid to appear on the 2021 season of Big Brother VIP. For just eight days on the show, Caitlyn Jenner is said to have pocketed a massive $500k. That’s $62,500 a day, (or $2604 an hour!)
Sam Burgess – SAS Australia
One of the most polarising figures to grace reality TV in 2021 was former NRL star Sam Burgess, who just days after being cleared of intimidation charges, made a whopping $200,000 to push his mind and body to the absolute limits for our entertainment on SAS Australia.
Sam Burgess speaks about SAS Australia win
Brooke Blurton – The Bachelorette
Not only did Brooke make history as Australia’s first Indigenous and openly bisexual Bachelorette, she also made a life-changing amount of money. A source close to the proud Noongar-Yamatji woman told AAA that Brooke was paid $250,000 to star as the lead in 2021.
Kylie Gillies – Dancing With The Stars
The Morning Show host was rumoured to be the highest paid star of the 2021 season, reportedly taking home $100,000. If the figure is true, Kylie certainly earnt every dollar, having made it to the semi-finals.
Colin Fassnidge – I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
Celebrity chef and My Kitchen Rules regular Colin Fassnidge reportedly earnt $150,000 for his three-week stint on I’m a Celebrity in 2021.
Koby Abberton – SAS Australia
After seeing what the celeb recruits go through on the gruelling SAS course, we can’t say they haven’t earnt their astronomical pay! The Bra Boy revealed that he was paid a staggering $100,000 to take part in the second season of SAS Australia.
“I was paid 100 grand,” Koby bluntly told Triple M Sydney’s Moonman In The Morning in 2021.
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