Idol Contracts: No Fraternizing with The Judges and Idol Album Advances!

By On 05/13/2010 · 231 Comments · In American Idol

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via TMZ

Here’s more contract stuff from TMZ. Some of the info we already know…like there’s a “Paula” clause–Contestants are not allowed to fraternize with the judges during the show or 6 months after.

But, here’s the interesting stuff–the breakdown of the album advances:

And in the money department … here’s the way it breaks down.
The winner gets $175,000 when he/she starts recording … and another $175,000 when that person “delivers” the first album. If the winner gets a second album, he/she gets anywhere between $275,000 and $550,000 depending on the success of the album. As for a third album — anywhere between $325,000 and 650,000. As for a forth — anywhere between $375,000 – $750,000. As for a fifth — $450,000 – $900,000. And a six album gets the winner between $500,000 and a cool $1 mil.

The second place finisher gets $150,000 when he/she starts recording their first album … and another $150,000 upon delivery. The second album gets the runner-up between $225,000 and $450,000 and so on.

As for 3rd through 12th place — if the label signs them — they each get $100,000 when he/she begins recording album #1 and another $100,000 upon delivery … though most of them end up playing hot air balloon festivals.

And get this … according to the contract, “A.I.” isn’t required to pay incidental expenses during the show. Contestants even have to pay for their own transportation when they’re not traveling to and from the show.

Discuss!

 
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  • revcat

    I have heard people say that the Idols get crappy deals but if it weren’t for Idol every single one of them would still be slugging it out in bars and what not trying to sing for their supper.

    Fantasia came from a pretty poor background which was a strike against her when it came to managing her money. But she appears to have learned from her mistakes and although I can’t stand VH1 type reality shows, enough people do that she got resigned for another season and has also released her 3rd album.

    I was in a Color Purple audience on Broadway starring Fantasia and believe me she was beloved by the audience. She has her niche and is more successful and popular than most people are aware of, including myself. I think she got some of the leeches in her family out of her pocketbook so she should be good.

  • LK10
    I was a Jasen/Cookie fan but I want to say that I am impressed with David A. as I have never seen anyone work as hard as he has. Very impresive and still a nice guy!

    thanks… his work ethic and attitude is another thing i like about him. he doesn’t take any of what’s happened to him for granted, and doesn’t shy away from paying his dues, lots of times out of the limelight, just to keep ‘improving’ as he puts it… i’ve been fortunate enough to meet and talk with him 2x,and his genuineness is something that just leaps out at you… that and his ability to put you at ease, and disconcert you by looking you square in the eye when speaking to you, making you lose your train of thought, lol… i like to think i’m pretty unflappable around people, but this grown woman was reduced to speechlessness both times in his presence. i think i’ll be content to watch him on stage, from afar here on out, lol…

    gg- I can relate. I have only met him once and I was so struck that I couldn’t even look him in the eye and could hardly get a sentence out. I have NEVER been star struck in my life.

  • hollygo9

    think the big $ is in touring and private gigs.

    It’s standard throughout the business: the artist pays for everything. The VH-1 Behind the Music about TLC has a great break-down of how an artist can have a multi-platinum record, sold-out tour and not make enought money to buy a car.

  • briguyx

    Just thought I’d mention there’s also big money involved in songwriting royalties. You get paid for album and single sales and radio play, plus additional money if a song is used in a TV show, commercial or movie.

    Professional songwriters signed by a publisher can get a weekly advance that is taken from their future royalties. Some songwriters have in their contract that they are supposed to write a certain number of songs per month or year. Of course, I would think most of the writers the Idols pair up with to collaborate already have had hits and are doing very well financially.

  • girlygirl

    I don’t understand how people could argue Kris wouldn’t have gotten signed if he hadn’t won. (1) Marketable look/sound; (2) Reportedly outsold everyone except Adam on iTunes. There were stories last season that Kris, Adam, Danny and Allison were all meeting with label reps well before the finale. No matter who finished where, they were all going to get signed eventually.

  • girlygirl

    I doubt any of the Idols are super rich, but if they are smart enough to find a trustworthy adviser to manage their money and don’t go off on crazy spending sprees, make unwise investments or are unable to say “no” to family/friens who try and leech off them, the most successful of them should be more than financially stable and classified at least as upper-middle class in terms of earnings.

    I would say that Carrie’s fiance is more than capable of paying for that huge rock of a ring and for a house in Calgary on his own. He is a pretty big star in the NHL — his salary for 2009-10 was $4 million.

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