TMZ has obtained a copy of the contract each contestant must sign before being on the show. First and foremost there is a clause which MJ referred to as “the Paula clause” saying that singers cannot “enter into any personal, social, business, and or financial relationships with any of the judges, host(s), guest stars…” This runs during the season of the show and for 6 months after. So no fraternizing with the judges to earn brownie points. Thanks for that Paula!
As far as the money they can make here is the breakdown:
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.
Here’s the surprising information, at least for me, “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.
With all the money this show makes I would think they could pay for the incidentals especially when someone can’t afford it on their own.