While many believe a stint on a reality TV series is a passport to fame and riches, often the opposite is true.

Sadly, the latter seems to be the case for the current crop of contestants on long-running series My Kitchen Rules.

An unnamed contestant from the 2024 season has revealed to Daily Mail Australia that the going rate for burgeoning TV chefs was $1100 per week – barely above minimum wage.

The Australian minimum wage is currently $24.10 per hour, or $915.90 per week based on 38 hours.

The contestant said appearing on the reality show meant taking a pay cut for many, claiming that one cast-made ended up in the red after filming.

‘It certainly didn’t cover our usual salaries,’ they claimed.

‘I think one of our cast-mates was in debt after filming.’

Despite the show drawing a huge audience each season, the show’s popularity is often not reflected in how the contestants are compensated, according to a Seven casting executive.

While many may think that a stint on a reality TV series is a passport to fame and riches, often the opposite is true

‘A lot of people still think getting on TV will make you rich and famous,’ they said.

‘It doesn’t.’

They added that the excitement of being selected for the show often outweighs the meagre remuneration.

‘By the time you have seen your contract most applicants are so excited to be picked, they don’t care about the money and that’s what producers expect,’ the source revealed.

Sadly, the latter seems to be the case for the current crop of contestants on long running series My Kitchen Rules

An unnamed contestant from the 2024 season revealed to Daily Mail Australia that the going rate for burgeoning TV chefs was $1100 per week

A former MKR participant also revealed to Daily Mail Australia that, during their time on the show, they were forced to work well outside hours expected of someone earning just above average minimum wage.

‘The shoots were longer than we were told and there was no overtime,’ the contestant revealed.

‘We were not expecting how long we were required to be there. Some nights we would be filming well into the night.’

‘It certainly didn’t cover our usual salaries,’ they claimed. ‘I think one of our cast-mates was in debt after filming’

The unnamed casting executive also pointed out the disparity between what the hosts of reality shows can earn versus the pay packets of the contestants who drive interest in the shows for Australian audiences.

‘TV is wild,’ they said.

‘If you are the host of the show you could be making millions. However, if you are the main character and usually the reason why people are talking about your series – you are on anything as low as $70 a day.’

A source also revealed to Now To Love this month that contestants were paid $1000 but had to pay for groceries out of that amount to practice.

‘It’s hard. We were spending up to $600 a week on food because you’re encouraged to cook as much as possible,’ the insider said

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Seven for comment.

While the MKR stars are reportedly paid a pittance for their time, it’s a worse state of affairs over at Seven’s Made in Bondi reality series.

A former MKR participant also revealed to Daily Mail Australia that, during their time on the show, they were forced to work well outside hours expected of someone earning just above average minimum wage

A source exclusively told Daily Mail Australia that the cast were paid as little as $70 per day – meaning they could have earned more working in a minimum wage job.

‘The cast of Made In Bondi salaries are more embarrassing than the show’s storylines,’ the source confirmed.

‘The core cast are on minimum wage, and I was told that some of the cast were on $70 a day.’

One of the castmates’ parents were said to be seriously concerned about the show ruining their socialite reputation, with the low salary doing little to allay their fears.

‘He would be making more money as a busboy,’ the source went on. ‘Hardly worth the risk of ruining the family’s reputation.’