Katy Perry‘s ‘American Idol‘ pay package is said to have spelled trouble backstage at the show as production kicks off.
The $25 million she picked up to judge on the show is said to have left pennies for her c0-hosts Lionel Ritchie and Luke Bryan.
A talkative source broke it down…
Ben Sherwood blew the budget on Katy without thinking how that would impact other areas of the show budget. He gambled on her because of her appeal to a younger audience and huge social-media following. But Katy is effectively taking money from the other judges, who then had to be paid way less.
The negotiations with Luke and Lionel have been fraught and difficult because of [Katy’s paycheck]. They expected similar deals to Katy, but are, in fact, getting a hell of a lot less.
“Idol” initially offered Richie and Bryan a measly $2.5 million each to take the gig, but the offended singers demanded more, and refused to sign their deals, which postponed ABC’s big talent announcement. They’re both making about $7 million each now. This has become a very expensive show. If ‘Idol’ doesn’t work, it will blow up big time in Sherwood’s face. If it does work, he’s a genius.
Catch the show when it returns next year.