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'American Idol' Changes Record Contract Policy: Runner-Up No Longer Guaranteed Major Bucks

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LOS ANGELES (AP) - Coming in second on "American Idol" may still be a path to superstardom, but it no longer offers guaranteed paychecks worthy of the next pop idol or rock star.

Wednesday night's "Idol' runner-up, Jessica Sanchez, doesn't have a definite shot at producing an album and could be paid as little as $30,000 in advances for recording singles. This, according to the "Idol" contract she and other Season 11 contestants signed that was reviewed by The Associated Press.

The agreement is the first time in "Idol's" history that producers are not offering the show's runner-up an album deal that in previous years had a guaranteed advance of at least $175,000. The move comes amid declining album sales for the recording industry and a drop in viewership for the "Idol" show.

Representatives for "American Idol' refused to comment.

Check Out Our 'Where Are They Now?' Gallery of Past Reality Show Winners


Watch 'Jessica Sanchez on 'American Idol'


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Eddie

I love American Idol and I think it’s a bummer that Jessica Sanchez wont get to at least do an album. Hopefully she will get something offered to her in the future for her hard work. Phillip Phillips was great and I’m glad he won this seasons American Idol. I love being able to record all my PrimeTime Anytime shows without picking and choosing shows. There are so many greats it used to be hard but now Hopper does it all. Just when I thought the Hopper couldn’t get any better, now I can skip commercials too. I can enjoy the primetime shows more with the new Auto Hop feature. I like how the day after my primetime shows air I have the option to watch or to skip commercials with the touch of a button. I’m glad my coworker from Dish told me about this great new feature. It’s the easiest and coolest feature I’ve seen in a long time. I won’t have to replace my batteries in the remote as often.

June 03 2012 at 9:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hebe smith

There is a saying like this "Only one himself knows if the shoes match his feet or not"。If you really love her /him, money ain't nothing but a number for these loved-up A-Listers. My BF and I both think so! He is a banker .We met via
~~~'Rich ming le . '( /0/' M~~~, a nice place for women and men who have much money, Ever feel that you would best enjoy someone who is in your group? If u are really interested in it, maybe u wanna check it out or tell your friends.

May 29 2012 at 12:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sammy

I agree with those who say that Jessica has a great voice but I've heard that voice over and over and over again. There is no shortage of women out there who can sing and who can sing like that. I am tired of hearing the same voice on the radio. I can't tell them apart half the time. Just like Lauren Alaina last year and Skylar this year, they didn't win because we don't need more female country sound a likes right now we need someone who sounds different, and Phillip does sound different. If I heard him on the radio I would know it was him...if I heard Jessica I would think it could be one of 10 different women...

May 28 2012 at 3:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Debe

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May 28 2012 at 5:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jan Rettig

I would imagine more girls vote for Idol than guys do. thus, that is why Phillip was the winner. Jessica is a great singer, should have won. I hope she comes back next year, but probably will get so many offers, she wont need to. look at Clay Aiken. It isnt always the winner that wins.

May 27 2012 at 8:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
fritzfruit

Jessica is better than whitney at her age! If you turned your head and didn't see the singer you would have sworn it was a young Whitney! America can't even count change, how can they pick talent. I have watched for years, but now it is over. Phillip Phillips should have been gone a long time ago, as should randy Jackson! The only true one who knew talent was Steven Tyler. Bye bye American idol. Give up the dog, America is over it,

May 26 2012 at 10:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
willarddochoward

The most talented person is Ms Sanchez and is able to make success with her voice.. Mr. Philips, I think as a smile that will win approval in live performance, but not on the air waves. Ms Sanchez lost not to talent but to a propulatry contest. As a Bookcover will get your attention, it will not keep you reading , that is the case on American Idol. I wish both only the best.

May 26 2012 at 8:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
coffegal50

Philip was the best from the getgo. I couldn't be happier, and everyone I know was rooting for him. Great guy, and all the best in the future, surgery, music, and can't wait until he does his album. Great family support, it showed, and he wasn't a fake . he sang from his heart, and soul! Good luck, your a "Great guy"!!!!!!!!!!!

May 26 2012 at 4:55 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
flash

its not how good you sing on idol - its if the teeny boppers think your hot

May 26 2012 at 4:52 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to flash's comment
Delightful Di

I have to agree ... I was so disappointed that a performer who consistently grew week after week and showed versatility was sent packing by a singer who just "showed up" in the final two shows. I mean really, I tolerated his singing at best, however, she amazed me every time. Get it together people .., Open Your Ears!!

May 26 2012 at 5:01 PM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
hobo240

Yet another reason that this show is on the way down. It's an outrage. Supposedly they are offering jennnilfer notalentpez 20 million to come back and they cant give that second place winner what all the others rightfully got. Perhaps if the kid would have lipsyc'd and danced around in white diaper pants like lopez did she might have won. It's time someone exposed this show as being rigged. The president of the record company brought out the final winner envelope which I'm sure jimmy iovine licked himself. They had woodies for the sickly guy since the beginning....you watch they will sink their shirts into promoting and producing that doofus because it's all on the line now.

May 26 2012 at 4:43 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
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