The Voice contestants receive ‘very little’ pay which barely covers expenses

This year’s contestants on The Voice all have dreams of hitting the big time.

But those who don’t win the $100,000 cash prize and major label record contract will be left empty-handed, according to a former participant.

The anonymous singer told Woman’s Day they hadn’t received payment for their time on the show, despite making sacrifices to accommodate the filming schedule.

‘We’re all given very little to cover expenses, and that’s just about it,’ they claimed.

The singers were only given stipends for food, travel to and from set, and plane tickets, the insider alleged.

They also needed to ensure they had no prior commitments, which for many meant giving up casual or full-time work.

‘Some missed two terms of school and others had to beg for time off work,’ the source alleged.

Contestants were also encouraged to source their own wardrobe, the singer added, because Nine’s style team was busy focusing on the celebrity coaches.

The singer also claimed that participants from interstate were encouraged to relocate to Sydney to minimise travel costs.

None of these policies are unusual for reality TV, however, and contestants on Married At First Sight receive similar daily expenses, or per diems. 

While coaches Kelly Rowland and Boy George have luxury accommodation, this year’s contestants have been staying at chain hotels in Sydney’s outer west. 

Nine had initially housed its finalists at Rydges Campbelltown, 57km away from Sydney’s CBD, while film the Battle Rounds.

But producers later relocated the stars to another Western Sydney hotel to ensure the finalists’ identities were kept secret.