'American Idol' stars in talks for bigger pay

Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times, left; Steve Shaw / 42West; Dan Steinberg / Associated Press

"American Idol" judge Paula Abdul, left is making $4 million a year and is seeking $12 million, sources say. Host Ryan Seacrest has made a three-year deal, while judge Simon Cowell, who some see as essential for the show to remain a success, is in talks. He could use his leverage to try to get "X Factor," which he hosts overseas, on Fox.

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Ryan Seacrest has a $30-million deal, Simon Cowell is in talks for what could be $45 million a year and Paula Abdul has cut her request for $20 million, sources say, amid a dearth of TV network hits.

By Joe Flint>>>
July 27, 2009

The first talent auditions for the ninth season of the Fox juggernaut "American Idol" are still two weeks away, but there is already a beauty contest going on behind the scenes.

Negotiations on a new contract for Simon Cowell, the show's linchpin, chief prosecutor and animating force, are progressing quickly and could be concluded as early as this week. Cowell, who currently makes about $36 million annually and still has another year on his pact, is looking at a new multiyear deal that would boost his pay to the $45-million range, people close to the talks said.

Cowell's push for more money comes on the heels of host Ryan Seacrest's new contract, which pays him $30 million over three years to host plus $15 million for merchandising rights to his image. Co-judge and pop diva Paula Abdul is also seeking a hefty increase in pay, although it's unclear whether she will be able to wrangle the kind of raises won by her colleagues.