SAS Australia 2023‘s star-studded cast is a huge drawcard for viewers, but how much are the contestants getting paid for their Special Forces stint?
This year, 14 celebrities travelled to the Wadi Rum Desert of Jordan to see if they could withstand the trials and tribulations of the REAL SAS selection process.
With the cast facing gruelling mental and physical challenges, it’s no wonder they want to pocket some mega cash to take on the course.
According to New Idea, most of the contestants home took a cool $30,000 for their efforts on the show.
The outlet also reported that controversial drug smuggler “Cocaine” Cassie Sainsbury copped a whopping six figures to appear on SAS Australia 2023.
They alleged that Cassie has been “struggling to find work” in recent times because, duh, “her CV isn’t for everyone”.
However, an insider has since told Yahoo! Lifestyle the true extent of Cassie’s paycheck.
Apparently, Cassie’s fee was approximately $40,000, just slightly above that of her castmates.
“The network didn’t have to pay more as everyone knew Cassie needed the show more than the show needed her,” the source said.
“Since her initial tell-all chats when she returned to Australia, the offers have dried up and she’s struggled finding work.”
The source added: “This was her one opportunity to show Australia the real her and hopefully move on with her life.”
What have past SAS Australia stars earned?
In the past, Channel Seven has forked out big bucks for controversial recruits.
In 2022, disgraced former footballer and commentator Wayne Carey earned a mega $250,000, which he allegedly shared with his co-stars at a cast dinner.
“Despite the cast racking up a tab of ‘several thousand dollars’ at the soiree, Carey declared his monster salary and paid for everything,” a New Idea insider said.
Meanwhile, Bra Boy Koby Abberton received an impressive $100,000 on SAS Australia 2021, and convicted drug trafficker Schapelle Corby made $150,000 in the inaugural season in 2020.
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