“I’ve been struggling to make ends meet. I’m so broke because of this.”
Farmer Wants a Wife Australia 2024 contestants have claimed producers have been withholding most of their pay. And they’re not happy about it.
ICYMI: 2023 contestant Lucie told So Dramatic! that the ladies are only paid $80 per day during filming, and on the days they’re not filming, they don’t get paid, despite having to stay on the farm.
She also dished that cast mates had to sign “tax forms”, declaring the show was a “hobby” rather than a source of income.
As revealed in episode 384 of the So Dramatic! podcast, this year’s cast was also paid $80 a day for “the longest hours of filming”.
However, one contestant told So Dramatic! that production was withholding most of their pay until the season finished airing. Eep!
“We’ve only received 60% of it,” the source said. “The remaining 40% is being withheld until 30 days after the show has finished airing, and anyone who breaks their contract during that time forfeits the rest of their pay.
“I don’t think it’s legal, but there is nothing we can do about it,” they added.
Contestant says they’re ‘BROKE’ because of Farmer Wants a Wife
The source then explained that they “regretted doing the show” when they realised they wouldn’t be paid when they left.
“I had to take time off work to film and had no income during that time. $80 a day doesn’t even come close to covering my expenses while I’m away,” they told So Dramatic!.
“I expected to get the full amount when I left the show. When I found out we’d only be getting some of it, it left me in a difficult position, and I’ve been struggling to make ends meet. I’m so broke because of this.”
The contestant admitted they feared producers wouldn’t pay them at all.
“I can’t afford to wait over six months to be paid and for them to possibly find a loophole not to pay us at all. It’s been quite stressful and anxiety-inducing to be honest,” they confessed.