RadarOnline reports that NeNe Leakes, the last original member of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," is being paid $1.5 million to shoot season 7 of the show.
Leakes has implied it may be even more than that. To Extra, she said, "I was not offered $1.5, let's be clear, yeah, it's a lot nicer than that."
With about 25 episodes airing per season, that comes out to about $60,000 per episode.
According to TV Guide, top broadcast show salaries for leads begin at $125,000 per episode and for cable shows, $75,000. But that's for scripted programming. The top-paid actors are "The Big Bang Theory" lead actors who receive a whopping $1 million per episode. Kevin Spacey of "House of Cards" pockets $500,000 per episode. Kerry Washington of "Scandal" pockets $150,000 per episode. Andre Braugher gets $100,000 per episode on "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." Tracee Ellis Ross on "Black-Ish" pockets $50,000 per episode.
Salaries are not revealed for 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta," but it's probably not a stretch to say Leakes is the highest paid person on the cast. And based on ratings alone, she has earned it, helping the show reach its highest ratings to date season six. It's by far Bravo's most popular program in its history.
Over the years, Leakes has complained about the show and has exhibited signs she is truly tired of all the shenanigans at times. But that money is hard to walk away from.
Speculation of her departing has been rampant for years.
The show returns for season seven November 9. The trailers show Leakes is still clashing with her former close friend on the show Cynthia Bailey after Cynthia's husband last season dared to criticize NeNe to her face about her ungrateful behavior at Kenya Moore's fundraiser in honor of her . Question: will she buddy up with the newbies Claudia Jordan and Demetria McKinney?
Leakes has managed to work her brand into other ventures. She's finishing up with her recurring role on the final season of "Glee." She is performing in "Cinderella" later this year on Broadway. And she has launched a clothing line at HSN, which seems to be doing well.
In other words, her boast of being "rich, bitch!" is not an idle one.
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