Adrienne Bailon, a talented entertainer, has made a significant impact in the industry throughout her 20-year career. From her early days in 3LW to her roles in popular films like “The Cheetah Girls” and her current stint on the talk show “The Real,” Bailon has proven her versatility as both an actress and singer. In addition to her scripted work, Bailon also ventured into unscripted television with her own show, “Empire Girls,” which concluded in 2012. However, many may recognize her from her appearances on the reality TV show “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” where her relationship with Rob Kardashian Jr. garnered significant attention, ultimately ending due to his infidelity.
Adrienne Bailon, known for her various roles, may seem like she has always been financially well-off. However, she recently opened up about her past struggles with money. In an interview with Richer Lives by SoFi, the former member of a girl-group shared that she has experienced some challenging times financially. She also discussed the low pay she received for her work in Disney’s The Cheetah Girls and as a talk-show host on The Real. Let’s find out more about what she shared.
Adrienne Is ‘Grateful’ for the Cheetah Girls Despite Low Pay
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Adrienne Bailon has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry since the early 2000s, despite her busy schedule. In addition to being the lead singer of the girl group 3LW, she also starred in three Disney films. One of these films, “The Cheetah Girls,” achieved global success and led to the release of multiple albums and tours. Although the exact salaries of the actors involved have not been disclosed, Adrienne admitted that by today’s standards, it was not a significant amount. However, at the time, it still meant a lot to her and was considered “a lot of money.”
“I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to portray Chanel. It has opened countless doors for me, and I am forever grateful. These opportunities are priceless and have enriched my career in ways I could never have imagined.”
“The Cheetah Girls” made its debut in 2003 and captivated an audience of almost seven million viewers. Subsequently, the second and third installments of the franchise were released in 2006 and 2008, respectively. Their albums, “Cheetah-licious Christmas” and “TCG,” achieved remarkable success, earning gold certification from the RIAA for surpassing 100,000 copies sold.”
The new projects had a significant impact on Adrienne’s career. They provided her with exposure, a following, and household recognition. It’s hard to quantify the exact value of these opportunities.
Adrienne Reveals Kardashians Salary
It comes as no surprise that Adrienne Bailon used to be in a relationship with Rob Kardashian, Kim K’s younger brother. Their romance was the talk of the town in 2007 and 2008, with Adrienne even making appearances on the show. However, following their messy breakup, fans never saw her again on the show. While it’s expected that the main cast members receive a generous paycheck, Adrienne revealed that she was only paid a meager amount of “$2,000” for her role as a “day player.” She mentioned her affiliation with SAG/AFTRA, the union that governs performers.
Adrienne and Her ‘Bad Deal’ for The Real
After her successful stints on “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and “The Cheetah Girls,” Adrienne ventured into a new realm of entertainment. She became a part of the cast of “The Real,” a daily talk show that aired from 2013 to 2022. Many fans probably assumed that she was earning a hefty paycheck from this gig, but they would be mistaken.
Adrienne revealed that in the industry, certain shows would ask you to sign a contract during the audition process. Despite her reservations, she decided to go ahead and sign the contract after discussing it with her management team. Reflecting on her decision, she remarked, “I committed to it for eight years.” Adrienne acknowledged that if given the chance, she would renegotiate her contract today, but back then, she had to strategize and come up with a plan.
“So, when the realization hit me that I had unknowingly entered into a detrimental agreement … a deal that could only be described as ‘wack ass’ … I found myself contemplating my next move.”
“I launched my own jewelry company, and from there, I expanded into creating a line of handbags and clothing. It was at this point that my creative ideas started flowing, and I began to explore new possibilities.”
Adrienne is now married to the talented music producer, Israel Houghton, and she openly admits that they are financially stable. Currently, her main priority is raising her son, Ever. However, she assures her fans that they can expect to see her on their screens again in 2025, if everything goes according to plan.