The Block 2023 stars are reportedly still waiting on their winnings, several weeks after the mind-blowing auctions.
ICYMI: Steph and Gian Ottavio took out the overall win with $1.75 million (including $100,000 prize money); Eliza and Liberty Paschke won $1.05 million; Kyle and Leslie Cottone pocketed $130,000; Kristy and Brett Beames walked away with $65,000, and Leah and Ash Milton‘s home was passed in and is still yet to be sold.
However, an insider has revealed to Yahoo! Lifestyle that despite the Blockheads technically earning this money when the hammer dropped on November 4, it’s yet to be deposited in their accounts.
Chatting to the outlet, the source said the cash won on the show “does not get paid the way audiences would think”.
“It’s not like Big Brother or Australian Idol in the early 2000s where the money would be in your account a week later,” the source said.
“Channel Nine doesn’t actually pay the prize money straight away. It comes into their account in blocks.”
Apparently, the money is broken up into three separate instalments, with the first to be paid around February or March this year. The rest is then paid over an eight-month period.
“All the contestants are told this before signing up for the competition, but at that stage of the process, excited applicants don’t really turn their nose up when reading that part of their contract,” the insider added.
Insider reveals why The Block prize money is paid out over several months
According to the industry source, there are “quite a few processes that need to be completed” before The Block contestants get their winnings.
“While it is a lengthy process, it does make you wonder if this is a tactic to keep their contestants in line for longer… And make sure the secrets of The Block are kept quiet while contestants are still in the media,” they said.
“Their lives have been thrown into complete chaos, and the perception that some of these contestants are now millionaires couldn’t be further from the truth.”
The Block’s Leah and Ash Milton still yet to receive their $80,000 Ford Mustang prize
Leah and Ash are still yet to receive the $80,000 Ford Mustang they won during Room Reveals.
They added that stars have been “really struggling to keep up with their usual spending”.
“Their friends and family treat them like millionaires. However, it is fair to expect that these guys have less cash flow than they usually would,” the source clarified.
“They all want their money,” the insider confirmed. “The realities are setting in for sure.”
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