Movies

Celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge shares his shocking My Kitchen Rules salary: ‘Below minimum wage’

BBG News

He’s one of the most well-know celebrity chefs on Australian television.

But My Kitchen Rules star Colin Fassnidge was paid a shockingly low salary when he joined the show.

In 2013, during the fourth season of My Kitchen Rules, the Irish-born chef, who was then 51 years old, disclosed that he received only $40,000 for his participation on the show.

On my initial stint on MKR, I earned a total of $40,000 for the entire year. This amount is significantly less than the minimum wage, as I shared with the Confessions of a Reality Star podcast.

Initially, I was continuing my education. Later on, upon discovering the salaries others were earning, I realized it was time for us to discuss this matter.

As a dedicated lifestyle enthusiast, I strongly recommend signing up for our showbiz newsletter at DailyMail. By doing so, you’ll be among the first to know about the latest behind-the-scenes drama from A-list celebrities, avoid any red carpet blunders, and witness exclusive images that are sure to go viral. Staying updated has never been easier!

A post shared by CONFESSIONS OF A REALITY STAR PODCAST (@confessionsofarealitystar)

In 2013, a full-time worker earning minimum wage for 38 hours a week would make approximately $622.20 per week, equating to roughly $32,354 annually. This figure falls slightly short of the amount that Colin made in the same year.

Although some think participating in a reality TV show guarantees fame and wealth, it frequently leads to the opposite results instead.

Unfortunately, it appears that the most recent group of competitors on the prolonged show My Kitchen Rules are facing this situation.

During the month of September, a participant from the 2024 season, who chose to remain anonymous, shared with Daily Mail Australia that the typical pay for up-and-coming television cooks is around $1100 per week, which is only slightly higher than the minimum wage.

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

In simpler terms, the contestant mentioned that participating in the reality show often required a reduction in pay, with one participant even accumulating debt following the filming process.

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

‘I think one of our castmates was in debt after filming.’

Despite the television series consistently attracting large viewership per season, it appears that the compensation for the contestants doesn’t always align with its popularity, as suggested by a Seven casting official.

‘A lot of people still think getting on TV will make you rich and famous. It doesn’t,’ they said.

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

As a dedicated follower, I can share that by the time an applicant has received their contract, many are so ecstatic about being chosen, they pay little heed to financial details. This is the expectation of those in production roles, I was informed.

Previously on Masterchef, a contestant shared with Daily Mail Australia that while participating, they were compelled to work beyond the usual hours for someone earning slightly above the average minimum wage.

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

We didn’t realize how late our stay would last, and some days we ended up shooting until late at night.”

In this version, I’ve tried to make the meaning of the original sentence clear while using more conversational language that is easy to read. The structure has also been rearranged slightly for a smoother flow.

This unidentified TV executive additionally highlighted the significant difference between the earnings of reality show hosts compared to the compensation given to the contestants, who generate audience appeal for Australian viewers.

The statement can be rephrased like this: ‘Television work is quite lucrative for show hosts who could potentially earn millions, but the actors, especially those playing leading roles and driving audience engagement, may receive as little as $70 per day.’

According to an additional report, the contestants were informed by Now To Love that they received $1000 each, but they needed to use a portion of it for buying groceries as part of their training exercise.

The source commented, “It can be quite costly. We were spending around $600 per week on groceries due to the advice to prepare meals frequently.

Read More

2025-06-06 07:04

Previous post XRP Dumps 22% After Ripple-SEC Court Drama — Will It Bounce Back? 🤔
Next post Will Stablecoins Finally Win Over Mainstream? The Uber Saga Revealed!