'Idol' runner-up losing more than expected
Runner-up Jessica Sanchez poses in the backroom after the 11th season finale of "American Idol" in Los Angeles, California May 23, 2012.
Image by: JASON REDMOND / REUTERS
Image by: JASON REDMOND / REUTERS
Coming in second on ‘American Idol’ may still be a path to superstardom, but it no longer offers guaranteed paychecks worthy of the next pop star.
Wednesday night's Idol runner-up, Jessica Sanchez, doesn't have a definite shot at producing an album and could be paid as little as $30 000 in advances for recording singles. The Associated Press reviewed the Idol contract she and other Season 11 contestants signed.
The agreement is the first time in Idol’s history that producers are not offering the show's runner-up an album deal that in previous years had a guaranteed advance of at least $175 000.
The move comes amid declining album sales for the recording industry and a drop in viewership for the show.
Representatives for American Idol refused to comment.
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