Big Brother Australia contestants were reportedly paid peanuts to appear on the current Fan vs Faves season.

As reported on episode 196 of the So Dramatic! podcast, Big Brother Australia‘s most iconic contestants, including Ryan Fitzy” Fitzgerald, Chrissie Swan and Sara-Marie Fedele, turned down the chance to return because of production’s embarrassingly low offer.

According to an insider source, most of the OGs and all the newbie contestants were offered $120 per day to stay in the Big Brother house.

Why Did Big Brother Turn Down These Major Media Personalities?

With gigs like hosting a national radio show and appearing as a judge on the Masked Singer Australia, it’s no surprise some of Big Brother’s most popular names were asking for their fair share.

But our production insider said that “everyone who asked for more money got knocked back”.

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“The producers are stupid because the money would have been worth spending to get these big names on the show,” they said.

The So Dramatic! spy claimed spending the extra dough would have “boosted ratings significantly”.

How Much Did Big Brother Royalty Chrissie Swan, Fitzy, Sara-Marie and Blair McDonough Ask For?

Best known for her iconic lingerie-clad bunny dance, Sara-Marie wanted $150,000 to appear on Big Brother, no matter how many days she stayed on. Even if she made it to the end, that’s around $2500 per day!

sara marie big brother
Sara-Marie (pictured in 2001) asked Big Brother for $150,000 to appear on the show. Source: Ten

But she was nowhere near the steepest, with Chrissie, Fitzy and Neighbours actor Blair McDonough asking for $200,000. That’s $3225 per day if they stuck around until the end.

FR, why would these media heavyweights have any motivation to win when they were close to earning the $250,000 prize money just by showing up?

big brother blair neighbours sara marie faves
Neighbours actor Blair McDonough (pictured in 2001) asked for $200,000. Source: Ten

Reggie Bird – who beat Chrissie in 2003 – reportedly received $170 per day.

Fitzy’s first claim to fame was coming fourth in the fourth season of the show, the same year that Trevor “Big Trev” Butler claimed the victory. Of course, the beloved OG was voted out way back in May, so who knows how long Fitzy would last?

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Reggie Bird (pictured in 2003) reportedly received $170 per day. Source: Seven

Maybe they can do an OG-only show next year and invest some money in getting the big names on? Watch this space!

Want even more goss? Listen to episode 196 of the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto below!

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