Reality TV stars might earn a lot of heat from viewers because many think they didn’t do anything to get such fame, but don’t knock the hustle if that’s what people want. After all, if there was a real problem with it, don’t watch the shows and they’ll get cancelled, thus preventing some of these people from getting paid so much. Seeing how that hasn’t happened, though, you can bet that the ones who have built their brand with a certain persona have profited in a big way, as the richest reality stars of 2015 prove.
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15. Willie Robertson – $1 million + Bonuses (Duck Dynasty)
Known for his outrageous role on Duck Dynasty, Willie Robertson might not be the most outspoken person in his family, but he’s still capable of some great soundbites. One of the more popular TV shows over the past few years, Willie receives $1 million per season plus bonuses, up from the $50,000 he earned when he first appeared on the show.
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14. Nene Leakes – $1.5 million (Real Housewives of Atlanta)
She’s one of the biggest reality stars of the past couple of years thanks to numerous appearances, so it probably isn’t surprising to see Nene Leakes on this list. With the Real Housewives series expanding since first premiering in 2006, Nene has become one of its biggest characters, pulling in a cool $1.5 million per season in 2015, while also appearing on The Celebrity Apprentice a few years ago, too.
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13. Kim Karashian – $1.6 million (Keeping Up With The Kardashians)
Kim Kardashian might be famous for a certain video, but her breakthrough has come thanks to the show Keeping Up With the Kardashians, which has followed and documented her family’s life since 2007. Arguably the biggest queen of reality TV, Kim K has seen her empire expand tremendously over the years—as well as her bank account—with her bringing in millions through multiple outlets, as well as $1.6 million per season for appearing on her longtime TV show.
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12. Nicole “Snooki” LaValle – $2.27 million (Snooki & Jwoww)
Becoming a household name from her time on Jersey Shore years ago, Snooki became one of the most irritating characters to ever appear on reality TV, but it gave her both fame and a lot of cash. Going from $150,000 per episode during the first season of the show, she has since risen to $2.27 million and has enjoyed success from her three books and speaking engagements to increase her net worth.
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11. Gordon Ramsay – $3.6 million (Hell’s Kitchen)
Quite possibly the most popular chef on the planet, British bad boy Gordon Ramsay doesn’t keep his mouth closed when it comes to his opinion on food. As a host or judge on a number of different cooking competitions, Ramsay has done quite well for his bluntness, as he is worth about $120 million and earns $225,000 per episode on his most popular show, Hell’s Kitchen, which comes out to a hefty $3.6 million per year.
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10. Keith Urban – $5 million (American Idol)
One of the most famous country stars on the planet, Keith Urban hasn’t forgotten about his musical roots, but he figured he’d expand his brand by acting as a judge on American Idol back in 2012. While his $5 million per year salary isn’t the highest of the judges on the show, he is one of the biggest names on the panel, and seems to really enjoy his time critiquing hopeful musicians.
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9. Blake Shelton – $6 million (The Voice)
Not only a singer but a judge on The Voice since its inception several years ago, country star Blake Shelton has seen his popularity grow immensely due to his weekly appearance on the show. Not only did he bring in $23 million last year due to his music, but Shelton earns $6 million per year for hitting a button each time he hears an artist he likes, producing four of the seven winners in the show’s history.
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8. Pharrell Williams – $8 million (The Voice)
With an annual salary of $8 million in 2015, it’s no wonder that musician Pharrell Williams recorded a song called “Happy” last year. Winning four Grammys in 2014 for his hit album G I R L, Williams has accomplished a lot in his career as an artist, so has moved into TV as a judge on The Voice, which pays him nicely for doing so.
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7. Adam Levine – $10-12 million (The Voice)
The most desired and recognizable face on The Voice, singer Adam Levine has enjoyed a tremendous career with his band Maroon 5, but he makes even more per year from his gig on the singing competition. Earning anywhere between $10-12 million per year, Levine is a force to be reckoned with whether it’s helping an artists break into the business or recording hits of his own.
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6. Ryan Seacrest – $15 million (American Idol)
If it seems ilk there isn’t a show on TV that Ryan Seacrest doesn’t have some sort of hand in, you would be right. One of the busiest and most accomplished people in showbiz, Seacrest has worked on or produced a number of your favorite shows, leading to a salary that rewards him for the hard work. Making around $61 million in 2014, $15 million came as host of American Idol—which he has done since the show’s inception in 2002.
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5. Howard Stern – $15 million (America’s Got Talent)
Howard Stern has proven that honesty, bluntness and a dirty mind can really go a long way. Worth over $500 million, Stern makes over $90 million a year for his channels on SiriusXM, proving that he really is the king of the airwaves. As a judge on the popular TV show America’s Got Talent, which he joined in 2011, Stern has seen his annual salary sit nicely at $15 million.
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4. Jennifer Lopez – $17.5 million (American Idol)
Jennifer Lopez has certainly come a long way since being Jenny from the block, hasn’t she? After becoming the first Latina actress to earn over $1 million for a movie role—1998’s Out of Sight—J-Lo has expanded her brand ever since with numerous business ventures and opportunities. Her biggest came in 2011 when American Idol asked her to be a judge for the show, which led to her commanding a $17.5 million salary.
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3. Tyra Banks – $18 million (America’s Next Top Model)
A former model, Tyra Banks has proved to be more dynamic than just looking pretty for the camera. After hosting her own TV show, Banks has proven to be an even better host on the popular reality competition, American’s Next Top Model. The show might not have produced a name that many are all that familiar with, but it was the highest-rated show on The CW from 2007-’10, earning Banks a salary of $18 million per season.
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2. Judith Sheindlin – $45 million (Judge Judy)
Go ahead and discount her accomplishments or the cases that she oversees, but Judith Sheindlin—best-known as Judge Judy—is laughing all the way to the bank. With the highest-rated daytime program since 2011, Sheindlin was nominated for 15-straight Daytime Emmy Awards, winning her first in 2013, and has managed to gain a net worth of about $200 million, getting paid $45 million this year.
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1. Simon Cowell – $95 million (The X Factor)
One of the most recognizable people in showbiz, reality competition judge Simon Cowell might best be known for his harsh criticism and brash attitude, but he knows how to use it to his advantage. A former American Idol judge, Cowell left the show for a smilier concept on The X Factor, and earns an insane $95 million for each season he appears on it. He is, by far, the highest-paid reality TV star right now.
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