The 2026 season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is marketed as an egalitarian contest where celebrities endure hunger, fear, and exhaustion for charity. However, behind the scenes, it appears that pay disparities among the contestants have reached unprecedented levels. According to sources from the Daily Mail, while some stars are pocketing six-figure paychecks, others are earning so little that insiders claim they are “almost doing it for exposure.”
A senior production source has described the pay gap as both deliberate and ruthless, stating, “There’s no such thing as equal pay on this show. You’re not paid for suffering. You’re paid for perceived value.”
The Stark Pay Divide
According to multiple production sources, the 2026 season showcases the starkest differences between the top earners and the rest of the camp. “Budgets are tighter than people realize,” one insider revealed. “So if you’re not considered essential, you’re offered a take-it-or-leave-it deal.”
Top Earners
- Barry Williams – $150,000 to $180,000: The former Brady Bunch star leads the pack, thanks to his international recognition and legacy appeal. “He brings a type of credibility you can’t manufacture,” a source noted.
- Rachel Hunter – $140,000 to $170,000: The supermodel’s global profile and rarity factor position her firmly in the top tier. “When someone isn’t desperate for airtime, the number goes up,” explained an insider.
- Gary Sweet – $110,000 to $140,000: The veteran actor is trusted to deliver compelling storylines. “He understands television,” the source said.
- Deni Hines – $100,000: With decades of public recognition, Hines is in the respected mid-to-upper bracket. “If viewers instantly know who you are, you’re already winning the negotiation,” an insider explained.
Mid to Lower Tier
- Dyson Heppell – $90,000 to $120,000: Sports stars, once commanding top dollar, now face tougher negotiations. “Unless you’re a once-in-a-generation name, you don’t get special treatment anymore,” a source said.
- Rebekah Elmaloglou – $90,000 to $120,000: The actress fits the familiar soap-to-jungle formula producers value. “She comes with an emotional shorthand,” explained the insider.
- Nath Valvo – $80,000 to $100,000: Comedians are seen as utility players. “They help carry scenes and keep energy up,” but they’re not the main attraction.
- Concetta Caristo – $70,000 to $90,000: The radio host was hired for unpredictability rather than fame. “She’s there to shake things up,” the insider added.
- Luke Bateman – $70,000 to $90,000: The former NRL player and Bachelor landed in the lower-middle tier. “There’s no shortage of ex-athletes willing to do reality TV,” affecting the numbers.
- Mia Fevola – $40,000 to $60,000: Despite her online following, Fevola is among the lowest-paid. “Social media reach doesn’t move the needle for TV advertising,” an insider stressed.
Behind the Scenes and Broader Implications
Several cast members reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with their deals but felt pressure to accept. “There’s a quiet understanding,” a source said. “Say no, and you don’t get invited back into the TV world.” Another insider was more blunt, stating, “Some of them are basically being paid to starve on camera. If the cheque was bigger, the complaints would stop.”
While contestants haggle over five-figure deals, the real budget has been allocated elsewhere. “With hosts like Robert Irwin on multi-million-dollar contracts, the cast budget gets gutted,” a production source revealed. “That’s the trade-off.”
Network 10 declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
The pay disparity in reality television is not a new phenomenon. Historically, shows have often allocated significant portions of their budgets to marquee names to attract viewers and advertisers. However, as production costs rise and advertising revenue becomes more competitive, networks may continue to tighten budgets for less prominent participants.
Looking ahead, the industry might see a shift in how reality TV compensates its stars, especially as digital platforms and social media influencers challenge traditional television’s dominance. The question remains whether networks will adjust their strategies to accommodate these changes or continue with the status quo.
As the 2026 season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! unfolds, it serves as a microcosm of the broader entertainment industry’s challenges in balancing star power with fiscal responsibility.
