Celebrity Appearance Fees at Bargain Prices

Celebrity Booking Fees Reduced Due to Saturation & Economic Downturn

Sep 15, 2009 Allen Williams

It is common practice to pay appearance fees for top-name celebrities, politicians and athletes. In the midst of recession, are big-name reality stars at bargain prices?

Meeting a reality TV star may be as simple as bumping into one at a grocery store or as easy as booking a celebrity appearance through a talent agency. Reality TV stars unable to attain a spin-off series ultimately return to normal life while many others opt to join the lecture circuit or make special appearances for a fee.

Celebrities of all types charge an appearance fee to participate in an event or product promotion. Whether hired to provide a lecture or bar appearance, reality TV celebrities are each associated with a monetary value. With an economic downturn and with many reality television shows generating a new crop of celebrities each season, are reality TV celebrities actually becoming less expensive and more attainable?

Reality TV Stars Saturating the Celebrity Appearance Market

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the popularity of reality TV grew and the real people in the shows became overnight celebrities. Unlike the Hollywood royalty status of Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, reality show celebrities are for the most part common people given uncommon publicity. And due to this, reality celebrities are one of the most accessible forms of celebrity.

As more reality shows flood the market every year, a new set of reality celebrities become available for public speaking and drive down the cost of appearance fees. In a March 17, 2007 Forbes article, "Reality Stars' Second Acts," celebrity booking agent Michael Martin confirmed the decline by stating, "We started to see a dip two years ago, because all of these reality shows came out and started to dilute the field."

The article cites David "Puck" Rainey of the 1994 San Francisco Real World cast as one example. Mr. Rainey's appearance fees slipped from $3,500 to $500 in recent years, representing an 85% decrease. While the most popular and most recent reality celebs likely maintain their value, it's clear celebrity bargains do exist.

Economic Recession Hurting Celebrity Appearance Fees

In addition to facing stiff competition from the growing legion of reality celebrities, the economic downturn creates a setting where budgets are tight and businesses have much less to spend. The issue extends beyond the United States with Japan Today reporting actresses are taking 30-40% cuts in appearance fees due to current market conditions.

Supply and demand can attain reduced or even waived appearance fees. Earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival, a doe-eyed Paris Hilton sought to sell her celebrity at her usual $100,000 per appearance rate. According to an insider who spoke with the New York Post, no one bit on her hefty price tag and she ultimately attended events without being paid.

Reality TV Celebrity Appearance Fees Dropping

Finding talent is as easy as searching the internet. One talent broker, All American Talent & Celebrity Network, provides an online database for finding and booking celebrity appearances. While the prices are broad price ranges, the actual price may be influenced by the event type, duration, and location.

While Paris Hilton is listed at $100,000 and up, there is precedent she may go for much less. If an event calls for business advice, then the first Apprentice winner Bill Rancic is a mere $10,001-$20,000 while home decorating tips from Queer Eye's Thom Felicia are available at the same amount. Famed zoologist Jack Hanna also ranges from $10,001-$20,000, however it's unclear whether this includes any cute, fuzzy creatures.

Everything and everyone comes at a price but in this economic downturn bargain shopping is possible. The saturated reality show market directly impacts appearance fees and may help keep fees low for some time. So, if planning a corporate event or a special wedding, it may be possible to attain a celebrity appearance at a discount. Former American Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell is reported to charge a mere $5,001-$10,000. Kimberly Caldwell singing, "You Light Up My Life" to a newly married couple? Absolutely priceless.

Sources:

Forbes, "Reality Star Second Acts," Lacey Rose (March 15, 2007)

New York Post, "Paris for Nothing," (May 20, 2009)

Japan Today, "Appearance Fees for Celebs Cut Amid Economic Downturn" (March 18, 2009)

All American Talent & Celebrity Network, retrieved publicly available celebrity appearance fees from allamericanspeakers.com as displayed on September 11, 2009

The copyright of the article Celebrity Appearance Fees at Bargain Prices in Reality TV is owned by Allen Williams. Permission to republish Celebrity Appearance Fees at Bargain Prices in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Celebrity Appearance Fees Hurt by Recession