The new season of Celebrity Apprentice Australia is off to a flying start – but an insider tells New Idea that a cast pay dispute caused major issues during filming and threatened to derail the series.
WATCH BELOW: Celebrity Apprentice 2021: David Genat turns on Michelle Bridges
“Tension grew on set when it was rumoured that [clothing designer] Camilla Franks was paid the least,” claims the source. “If anything, pay should never be discussed among any cast and is always a dangerous game to play.”
The insider adds that the cast “didn’t make as much coin as you would think”.
“Forget the million-dollar salary Warnie banked for I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. This show doesn’t go anywhere near those sorts of dollars. The production company Warner Bros. gets away with lower pay cheques because it’s charity focused.”
As the biggest drawcards, celebrity trainer Michelle Bridges and radio star Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli were this season’s top earners, reportedly netting close to $50,000 each. The Veronicas Lisa and Jess Origliasso are believed to have raked in a combined $60,000.
On the next tier down, singer Anthony Callea and comedian Ross Noble clocked in at $30,000 as did The Block judge Shaynna Blaze, who’s already been at the centre of some behind-the-scenes drama.
“During filming, a few well-placed industry insiders had leaked that a feud erupted during production, but it was strongly denied by Shaynna at an event this week,” the source revealed.
Meanwhile, Ninja Warrior star Olivia Vivian was quite candid in her assessment of her co-stars.
“[Olivia said] the egos of some of the other contestants dwarfed Ninja’s Mount Midoriyama!”
In a report by New Idea last October, some of the “bigger personalities” on the show which includes Michelle Bridges, Shaynna Blaze, Anthony Callea, The Veronicas and Martha Kalifatidis butted heads with each other – and producers were rubbing their hands in glee over the drama that was being captured on camera.
“There’s more than a few divas in the mix and some interesting alliances are starting to form,” the on-set insider revealed at the time.
“Get ready for fireworks.”
For more, pick up a copy of New Idea. On sale now
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
