American Idol is back for its 23rd season, raising the frequent question: how much do contestants actually make on the long-running reality show? Perhaps not unsurprisingly, those who don’t make it through the auditions don’t get anything, and will almost certainly be out of pocket over travel expenses, maybe hotels, clothing, taking time off work and more. According to Richard Rushfield’s book American Idol: The Untold Story, some contestants have to drop out of the auditions due to travel costs and other expenses. Rushfield claims that those who get through the auditions and make it to the early rounds aren’t paid anything beyond room and board. However, those who make it past the auditions and onto the show are compensated for their televised performances. But there is a catch. According to Taste of Country, the Top 24 singers first have to join the American Federation of Television...