Are They Worth It? ‘RHONJ’ Ladies Making Up To $250K For New Season As Ratings Nosedive
July 16 2014, Published 2:16 p.m. ET
Ratings for Sunday night's Real Housewives of New Jersey premiere were a major disappointment, but the series’ cast members are laughing all the way to the bank! RadarOnline.com has learned that the Jersey girls are making up to $250,000 for letting their drama play out on camera this season.
"Dina Manzo is earning $100,000 for this current season, with an option to return for another run, with a salary increase,” an insider told RadarOnline.com. "New cast members Nicole Napolitano, Teresa Aprea and Amber Marchese are earning $60,000 for their work. Amber has been telling friends her salary wouldn't even cover her clothing allowance for one year!"
Meanwhile, Melissa Gorga is earning $250,000, according to the source. And though a hefty salary, that’s still only half of what the super-glam ladies of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the Garden State ladies are raking in.
As RadarOnline.com reported, the RHOBH divas’ attempt to play hardball and demand higher salaries worked — and they’ll all be making up to $500,000 this season!
“Lisa Vanderpump, Kyle Richards, and Yolanda Hadid are each earning the most at $500,000,” a production insider revealed. “Kim Richards and newcomer Lisa Rinna will be making $450,000.”
- Matthew Schultz Talks To Radar About Date With Dina Manzo And ‘RHONJ’ Drama
- Final Fight! Teresa Giudice Goes At It With Teresa Aprea Over Cheating Rumor, Before Saying Goodbye To 'RHONJ'
- He’s Baaack! Jim Marchese Fires At Bobby Ciasulli, While Amber Marchese Battles It Out With Nicole Napolitano On ‘RHONJ’ Reunion
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The Bravo insider also revealed, "It's no secret that the network pays very little to new cast members because there are no guarantees that it will work out. Furthermore, Bravo is very cheap when it comes to pay for the reality stars of the Housewives franchises, and doesn't want to pay more than they have too in order to keep someone."
The source noted, "The housewives from New Jersey could have gotten a lot more money if they had brokered the deal as a group instead of individuals."
Clearly, the strategy worked for the ladies of Beverly Hills because before their huge pay raises, Vanderpump had been raking in $250,000 a season, followed by Kyle Richards also at $200,000, and Kim Richards and Hadid rounding out the bottom with $100,000 a piece.
Do you think they’re worth it? Let us know in the comments!