American Idol contestant contract reveals salaries of winners, bans flirting

[HMG] – The ingredients of that elusive cocktail of content that made American Idol a national obsession are a well-guarded secret, but one thing’s made clear to those on the show — Ellen, Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell and the others are not up for grabs.

When one recent applicant was proved to be a minor, the lengthy contract every aspiring contestant must sign was presented in court – and one clause makes it clear there can be no romping with Ryan;

“Neither I nor any members of my family or my friends will enter into any personal, social, business or financial relationships with any of the judges, host(s) or guest stars,” it reads.

And this ban lasts for the wannabe star”s entire time on the show – plus six-months thereafter. But the money at stake makes their starry-eyed stooges play ball;

The winner of each season gets $175,000 once they start recording, plus another $175,000 when their first album is done. Should they make a sequel, that earns them $275,000 to $550,000, depending on sales.

Album #3 earns them $325- 650,000, while a fourth brings $375,000 to $750,000. Album #5 earns $450,000 – $900,000, and a sixth would finally net them a half-decent reward – $500,000 to $1-million.

For the runner-up the pay’s even worse – $300,000 total for the first album, and between $225,000 and $450,000 for the sequel — if they make it that far.

As for 3rd through 12th place, those poor saps don’t even get a guaranteed contract, but would make $200,000 total for a first album.

Though, as TMZ slyly observes, ‘most of them end up playing hot air balloon festivals.’

And in case you still have dreams of competing there’s one more charming snub: Contestants even have to pay their own transport expenses when they’re not going to or from the show.

But one star on whom this uncaring contract will no longer grate is Michael Lynche, who got booted last night. And many fans say it was well past his time;

“It was fitting Mike was the lowest vote-getter for the second time this season,” says ‘Idol’ expert, Jim Cantiello. “The big lesson is that the night’s worst song selection resulted in the lowest number of votes.”

And Cantiello thinks Lynche had been on thin ice since being saved five weeks ago;

“I can’t say I ever expected him to make the finale, particularly since he hadn’t improved,” Cantiello says. “Now, I’m curious to see how far Casey’s fans can take him. Could we have an upset come results night on May 26?”

I’m not sure. But I’d bet my last dime those guilty of inflicting this brain-strangling show will make sure we read plenty of press all about it…