‘The X Factor’ UK: Lauren Murray on money, desire to never do TV again

We had a feeling that Lauren Murray was going to be an outspoken contestant not long after “The X Factor” was over for her, and she is proving to do just that with some of her latest comments … starting with how much she was actually paid while in the middle of the season.

Speaking to the Mirror, Lauren made the following admission that could stun some people out there:

“For two months I haven’t been earning anything … You’re given an allowance but it’s not much. It’s pocket money, like my Grandad would give me. It’s less than £50 a week.”

She also claimed that she hadn’t received any money that came from her music, including a big cover of Ariana Grande’s “One Last Time,” charting on iTunes.

An official for the show eventually shot back, saying that she would be paid for her work eventually:

“While in the competition, all of the contestants receive a subsistence allowance covering incidental expenses and payments contributing towards regular fixed outgoings which they are contractually committed to pay, such as mortgage or rent costs … She actually will get royalties at a rate which is the same for new Sony Music artists. Once everything is calculated, she’ll get a statement. She’ll also earn when she takes part in the tour next year.”

Still, “The X Factor” is not a place to go if you want instant money. Reality TV is not a lucrative business since you are effectively paying your contestants in fame, and the demand for that is such that you can get away with smaller wages.

For the record, Lauren also said on her press tour that she has no interest in doing any more TV. We understand some of her frustrations, but we do also wonder whether or not Simon Cowell is going to be that thrilled that she is speaking out that much on the production process.

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