The third consecutive celebrity season of The Amazing Race Australia premiered on Monday night, featuring 13 star-studded teams embarking on a global adventure. This year’s lineup includes actors, comedians, sports stars, reality TV personalities, social media influencers, and even a royal. While these celebrities compete for a $100,000 grand prize for their chosen charities, it’s no secret that they also received substantial compensation for their participation. However, a recent leak reveals an intriguing detail about Channel 10’s contracts with the contestants.
According to a production insider, celebrities such as Melissa Leong, Gretel Killeen, Rob Mills, and Ed Kavalee each received $100,000 for their roles in the show. This disclosure highlights a significant investment by Channel 10 to secure an all-star cast, though not all participants were compensated equally.
Disparities in Celebrity Salaries
The revelation of these salaries comes as no surprise to those familiar with the entertainment industry, where pay disparities are common. Footballer-turned-radio host Brendan ‘Fev’ Fevola is believed to be among the highest-paid contestants, given his previous $500,000 payday for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016. Meanwhile, other participants, including YouTube stars Dom ‘Tomato’ Di Tommaso and Marx Marsters, comedian Steph Tisdell and her brother Ben, and Balinese princess Lindy Klim and her daughter Stella, reportedly received less but contributed significantly to the show’s emotional depth.
Unexpected Contract Terms
The leaked information also uncovers an unusual contract detail: Ed Kavalee, despite being the first contestant eliminated alongside his wife Tiffani Hall, received a six-figure salary. The couple opted for a time penalty during a Detour challenge, leading to their early exit. This suggests that, unlike other reality shows where contestant pay is often tied to their longevity in the competition, Channel 10 opted for a one-time appearance fee for each celebrity, regardless of their performance or duration on the show.
Comparisons with Previous Seasons
Looking back at last year’s season, Olympian Ian Thorpe was reportedly paid around $350,000 for his participation with friend Christian Miranda. Channel 10 personality Peter Helliar was also among the top earners, with host Beau Ryan hinting at a salary in the “few hundred thousand” range. In contrast, other contestants, including Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Matildas teammates Chloe Logarzo and Emily Gielnik, and former AFL star Billy Brownless, earned between $50,000 and $75,000.
Model Jett Kenny, comedian Luke McGregor, DJ Havana Brown, and others reportedly received up to $50,000 each, placing them in the lower-paid bracket.
The Broader Implications
The disclosure of these salaries raises questions about the economics of celebrity reality television and the strategies networks use to attract high-profile participants. The decision to offer flat appearance fees, as opposed to performance-based compensation, could be a strategic move by Channel 10 to ensure a diverse and engaging cast without the pressure of competition influencing pay.
Meanwhile, the revelation of host Beau Ryan’s $800,000 salary for the show’s reboot underscores the significant financial commitments involved in producing such high-profile television content. TV experts have clarified that Ryan’s salary is part of a multi-year deal with Channel 10, which includes hosting duties for Top Gear and the Gladiators Australia reboot.
As the season progresses, viewers and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see how these financial dynamics play out and what they might mean for future seasons of The Amazing Race Australia and similar reality TV productions.
