Ever wondered how much money reality stars really make, especially compared to Hollywood’s elite? You’ll be surprised to learn that these eight reality stars out-earned some of Hollywood’s top actors in the past year. From game‑show jackpots to influencer brand empires, these personalities are rewriting the rules of fame and fortune. Keep reading to see how they did it—and what lessons you can take away.
A‑List Actors vs. Reality Stars
To give this context: Forbes reported Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson earned $88 million in 2024, with Ryan Reynolds at $85 million and Kevin Hart at $81 million. Many reality stars may not hit these peaks, but some do rival or surpass mid‑tier actors, especially those combining platform earnings, brand partnerships, and prize money.
1. Molly‑Mae Hague
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Molly‑Mae turned her Love Island fame into a business empire, launching Filter (a fake‑tan brand) and a fashion line, Maebe. Her net worth has soared to around £6 million after a lucrative stint as Creative Director at PrettyLittleThing. That kind of income edge—boosted by brand deals and her upcoming docu-series—puts her ahead of many TV and film actors in annual earnings.
2. Alex Cooper
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You’ve heard of Call Her Daddy, right? Host Alex Cooper inked a $125 million deal with SiriusXM for her podcast deal, which vaulted her to the #7 spot on Forbes’ Top‑Earning Creators list, earning an estimated $32 million in 2024. That’s more than many TV actors make in base salaries and pay‑per‑episode deals combined.
3. Bhad Bhabie (Danielle Bregoli)
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From Dr. Phil to mogul status, Bhad Bhabie made an astonishing $85 million on OnlyFans in 2024, topping even Iggy Azalea on the platform. While traditional actors count per–project fees, she turned subscription models into big bucks, landing her right up there with top‑earning stars.
4. David Genat
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This Australian reality hero won Deal or No Deal Island, pocketing a massive $5.8 million prize. While a one‑time payout, it eclipsed many A‑list acting fees (some actors make less than that per film!).
5. Annie Kilner
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Footballer Kyle Walker’s wife is reportedly in line for a £750,000 payday on Celebrity Big Brother. While lower than some celebs on this list, it’s still significant compared to many TV actors’ short‑series fees.
6. Caitlyn Jenner
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Already iconic in reality TV, Caitlyn reportedly earned £500,000 for her appearance on I’m a Celebrity in 2019. Adjusted for today’s publicity demand, reality stars like her can command salaries rivaling mid‑level TV talent.
7. Spencer Pratt
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Yes, the Hills OG still cashes in—he raked in about $20,000 a week from TikTok Live donations after a personal setback. That adds up fast, year over year, matching or exceeding many supporting actors’ earnings.
8. Pete Wicks & Maura Higgins
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The reality power couple from Britain have built careers across shows (Strictly, Celebrity SAS, etc.), podcasts, brand ambassadorships, and more. While exact numbers are private, industry analysts suggest their combined earnings now hit high six figures—or even low seven.
When it’s all said and done, reality stars (and influencers) have the ability to make just as much as A-listers these days. There are just so many ways to bring in cash, and they are the ones capitalizing on it today.
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The post These 8 Reality Stars Made More Than A-List Actors Last Year appeared first on Plunged in Debt.
