Reality television is a complicated business. Some shows get immensely popular and springboard everyday people into celebrity stardom, but that fast track to Hollywood isn’t for everyone. However, there are those lucky ones who manage to build their brands, or expand their existing empires, based on their participation in America’s guilty pleasures. While some reality stars make little to no money at all—the average is about $5,000 a month—personalities who appear on popular shows like The Real Housewives franchise can make $8,000 and up per episode, and millions of dollars beyond their TV presence alone. It’s reported that the Real Housewives of New York racked in $75,000 per episode last season, while the Kim Kardashian and her family recently signed a deal worth an estimated $40 million for three more seasons of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. With millions of dollars floating around in the “real worlds,†BlackEnterprise.com Decodes the financial gain of some of reality TV’s most notable personas. —Starrene Rhett Rocque
