'American Idol' has given hopeful singers a chance to showcase their talents for 20 years, but what do the winners actually get for winning?
by Elise Nelson Published on May 23, 2022American Idol Season 20 came to a close on Sunday, May 22, crowning Noah Thompson as its newest Idol. But what exactly does that mean for Noah? Here’s everything American Idol winners and runners-up receive after the show, including prizes, contracts, and payments.
American Idol contestants start raking in financial benefits long before a winner takes home the trophy. As Fox Business revealed in 2016, the Top 24 artists each season receive payment based on how many hours they spend filming. For example, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) pays contestants $1,571 and meals for a two-hour episode. Meanwhile, a one-hour show pays $1,303.
In addition to the payments, contestants also receive a $450 stipend for clothing. However, as Vanity Fair contributing editor Richard Rushfield told Fox Business, they often dip into their own personal budgets for clothing because $450 doesn’t cover an entire wardrobe in Hollywood. They can then keep the clothes after the competition ends.
