The cast of Netflix’s hit show Dubai Bling were paid just $2.5k (AED9,175) each for filming each episode, Arabian Business can reveal.
The show – which Netflix claims centres around the lives of ten Dubai-based “millionaires”, was last week confirmed to run for a second season, with filming now underway.
But despite portraying a lavish lifestyle, featuring private helicopters and fast cars, the actual cast received minimal sums for appearing in eight episodes.
Read More on the Topic:
- Dubai Bling season 2: Saudi star Amy Roko says ‘no comment’ over firing scandal
- Dubai Bling season 2: Netflix fires Saudi superstar Amy Roko over “dating” storyline
The $2.5k (AED9,175) fee is being increased by 5 percent – just AED458 extra each for the second season. However, any new cast member – such as Mona Kattan – will only be paid the basic AED9,175 fee.
“Some of these guys were so desperate to be famous so the fee wasn’t an issue, they would have probably done it for free,” says a show insider.
By comparison, the Kardashians were paid $100 million for two seasons and 40 episodes of The Kardashians, according to Variety. Some of the family earned around $15 million each for filming.
Netflix is valued at $160 billion, with revenues of $7.85 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022. It also added an additional 7.66 million subscribers during the same period.