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“Vanderpump Rules”
Hollywood Reporter Main cast members of the Bravo series allegedly earned around $25,000 an episode in 2017 and 2018, with Lisa Vanderpump Taking the house closer to $50,000.
In July 2023, Christine Doty I remembered the small amount I brought home after the first season. “We had very little in our bank account,” she recalled on her podcast Sex, Love, and What Else Matters. “It was $5,000, and if we became primary candidates, we would get an additional $5,000.”
Meanwhile, Laura-Leigh did not receive any additional money associated with her time on the series, despite the show's massive success.
“No scraps. Nothing. And I had to chase them down to get $500,” she claimed in January 2025. “All the actors got paid, I think it was $8,000 for the first season. Jax (Taylor) and everyone got paid.” Like $8,000, and the only reason I know is because that's all the money Jax had to his name. And I said, “Well, if they're getting money, why should I get it.” money?' “They said, 'Okay, we'll give you $500.'
Brittany Cartwright recalled being “broke” when she first appeared on the show. “I didn’t get paid for my first season of Vanderpump Rules — until the end. I was broke,” Brittany, 35, who began making guest appearances in Season 4 when she met Jax, shared on the “When Reality Hits” podcast in August 2023. It took a lot out of me.”
Jax recalled Brittany's excessive spending before she moved to Los Angeles.
“It cost her. This is the beginning of the show and it cost her $800 to $900,” he said, referring to Brittany traveling to see him while filming season four. “She was in Kentucky (working at a bar and Hooters) and $800 was a lot of money (to spend on airfare).”
While speaking with Kristen about their original salaries, Jax said he was just grateful to get paid, adding in a July 2023 podcast episode, “I had nothing at the time, so whatever we got… (I felt like) I was rich. 5,000 Dollars? I was paying $100 a week to live until (I thought) I could retire when we were filming, which felt great.
He continued, “I've been struggling my whole life and living paycheck to paycheck from paycheck to paycheck. I was doing a lot of jobs, but by the time I got my paycheck, I was way behind on my credit card bills.”
