'American Idol' contestants spend the entire season vying for the title of the subsequent 'American Idol,' however what does the winner receive?


Season 21 of ABC's American Idol kicked off on Feb. 19, 2023, and with it got here a brand spanking new batch of competitors making an attempt to win the hearts of judges and folks at home. When it's all mentioned and done, despite the fact that, what does the American Idol winner receive?
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We know the price of being on the display is hefty, as the show's production only covers a fraction of the cost it takes to audition for and stay on American Idol, posing obstacles for some who dream of being on the show. But does winning make it value it? What does an American Idol winner receive for taking home the name? Here's what the grand prize is.
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What does the 'American Idol' winner receive?
The winner of American Idol receives a whopping $250,000 and a recording contract with Hollywood Records/19 Recordings, in line with Taste of Country. As mentioned by way of Newsweek, then again, the 2022 winner, Noah Thomason, received $125,000 to begin with after signing a contract, best incomes the last part after completing a whole album over the direction of 4 months.
How do we know all of this? Third-place contestant Madison VanDenburg of American Idol Season 17 had her contract leaked to the press a few years again, which published the grand prize. There have not been many specified updates on the bits and bobs of the deal since then.
While recording, winners allegedly receive $1,000 per week to cover dwelling expenses, as well as an additional $1,000 for each master completed and turned in.
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Though this will likely sound like a gorgeous sweet deal — getting paid to make tune, it comes with a catch. Since the file label is technically taking a possibility on the contestant, they are going to receive a $300,000 advance to report the album, which they will be expected to pay again with the album's sales. They're also expected to pay back 50% of the advertising and marketing value after the album's liberate.
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The runner-up will from time to time even be offered a record deal by the display's associate report label, regardless that they typically receive an advance and deal only part of the dimension of the winner's.
"The runner-up could be paid $87,500 plus another $87,000 when they finish,” The Blast wrote of Madison VanDenburg's contract.
The 'American Idol' prizes used to be bigger.
Those who remember the early seasons of American Idol that brought fame to stars like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood probably don't know that those winners received even larger grand prize packages, which likely helped them skyrocket to fame.
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When Carrie won Season 4 in 2005, she received $1 million recording contract, as well as the use of a private jet and a car.
As the seasons progressed, they cut the monetary prize winners receive, though the promise of a record deal still remains.
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Before the winner's deal was minimize so drastically from its unique promise, any of the best 5 contestants may just also receive as much as $100,000 for his or her final placement and had the risk of being signed through the identical record label as the winner, potentially increasing their earnings from appearing on the display.
Now, the final 3 contestants are assured the alternative to report one unmarried they may be able to use on the other hand they like as soon as the show is over, whether or not they win.
Regardless of what each finalist receives (or doesn't receive), we would like all of them a fruitful occupation in tune.
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