Celebrity Big Brother has announced that all 12 contestants for the upcoming season will receive an equal starting salary of $100,000, according to TMZ. The move is seen as an effort to minimise initial drama among the stars, who will also compete for a $250,000 prize for the winner.
The reported salary is significantly lower than that paid to previous US contestants, such as Heidi and Spencer Pratt, who earned $700,000 for their 2013 appearance, and Ray J, who was paid $1 million. It also pales in comparison to the fees received by UK Celebrity Big Brother participants.
The cast includes a diverse mix of personalities: Anthony Scaramucci, Dina Lohan, Joey Lawrence, Jonathan Bennett, Kandi Burruss, Kato Kaelin, Lolo Jones, Natalie Eva Marie, Ricky Williams, Ryan Lochte, Tamar Braxton, and Tom Green. Production went to great lengths to keep the identities secret from each other, housing them in separate hotel rooms for four days before entering the house.
Host Julie Chen gave fans a tour of the retro-themed New York living space, described as 'the Big Apple from the 1930s and 40s, updated with modern flair.' The season premieres with a two-night event starting Monday, January 21 at 8pm on CBS.
