Simon Cowell Rejects $150K to Judge a Steamy Session: ‘I Just Can’t Do It’

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Simon Cowell almost became a judge on the X-rated Factor. 

Recently, the British talent judge shared stories about the strangest encounters with fans he’s had, mentioning an instance where a pair made an extremely explicit request.

In one instance, this anecdote is accurate – I was dining in a restaurant, and a man approached me and exclaimed, “I’m a big fan of your show,” Simon shared during the May 7 episode of How To Fail with Elizabeth Day. “Thank you so much. ‘May I have a photo?’ Of course. ‘This is my spouse.’ Pleasure to make your acquaintance.

However, the discussion unexpectedly shifted when Simon remembered the couple inquired, “What do you think about us engaging in intimate activities?

At first, the former American Idol judge thought surely it was a joke.

Simon commented, ‘I indeed went, but were you joking with me?’ They responded, ‘No, we’ll compensate you.’ But how much? The amount was quite substantial. I pondered, should I accept it? However, I eventually decided, no, I simply can’t go through with it.

He noted, “It was $150,000.”

Furthermore, although Simon considered the encounter “unusual,” he also shared his reasons for appreciating such fan encounters.

He shared that he’s quite introverted and uncomfortable in social situations. Attending a pre-party would be challenging for him since interacting with strangers is something he finds difficult. However, if there’s a shared topic of interest, he can hold his own.

Simon found that his rising popularity served as an excellent conversation starter during uncomfortable small talks. In his words, “Suddenly, we’re familiar, our discussion revolves around something I enjoy – be it shows, artists, or any related topics – and that somehow alleviates my shyness.

Frequently, fans often reminisce about Simon’s early career as a reality talent show judge and request him to behave impolitely, especially in the United States. He mentioned, “They would ask me to act rudely towards them.

Although Simon is the sole individual receiving an extraordinary reward for this peculiar demand, he’s definitely not the lone celebrity disclosing their earnings. Continue reading for further insights…

Jennifer Lawrence, who took home an Oscar, received a salary of $25 million to act in Adam McKay’s comedy about a disaster titled “Don’t Look Up”. However, her co-star and fellow Oscar laureate Leonardo DiCaprio earned $30 million for his role.

In an interview with Vanity Fair for their December 2020/January 2021 issue, Lawrence stated, “Leo earns more at the box office than I do.” She continued, “I’m very content and grateful for my contract. However, I’ve found that it can be awkward to ask about equal pay. And when you do raise concerns over apparent inequality, you’re often told it’s not due to gender disparity, but they can’t explain what the reason is instead.

Her optimistic outlook on life was earned through struggle: When the difference in salary between Lawrence and her male co-stars for the 2013 film American Hustle became public knowledge following the 2014 Sony email leak, it sparked a broader discussion about the wage gap issue in Hollywood.

In an interview with Channel 4 News in 2017, Lawrence expressed her gratitude for her job but mentioned she doesn’t have financial issues as such. What truly upset her was the lack of fairness and inequality, not the amount of money she received for a film role, which she considered absurd.

In contrast to Leonardo DiCaprio’s earnings, Jonah Hill pocketed approximately $60,000 (pre-commissions and taxes) for his role in “The Wolf of Wall Street” from 2013, whereas the lead character raked in a whopping $10 million.

In 2014, on The Howard Stern Show, I reminisced about receiving the smallest amount of money imaginable. However, it was the opportunity to act in a Martin Scorsese film that captivated me, so I eagerly seized the chance to secure the deal before anyone could reconsider.

Hill stated that he’d be willing to sell his house and empty his bank account to work with Scorsese, as he passionately feels that such opportunities aren’t about financial gain but rather doing what one cares about deeply. He’d gladly do it again and even other projects don’t matter if they come between him and working on something meaningful.

Oprah Winfrey happily accepted only a little bit of green to star in 1985’s The Color Purple.

In an interview with Essence in 2023, the media tycoon shared that they were offered $35,000 for a role in a film, which he considered to be the most valuable $35,000 he’s ever made. He explained that this experience transformed his perspective and taught him invaluable lessons.

In the 1997 movie biography of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, Jennifer Lopez was the first Latin actress to receive a million dollars for her role in a film, marking a significant milestone.

Looking back on my breakout film experience in 2019, I confess that I was young and somewhat clueless about the industry’s intricacies. Yet, when they presented me with a million-dollar offer, I couldn’t help but feel it was more than just a business transaction – it seemed like everyone was making a powerful statement.

Her success opened up opportunities for her to earn even more, hundreds of millions, at times without any financial investment on her part.

According to Lopez in 2019, I engage in activities because I truly enjoy them. The payment wasn’t substantial for ‘Hustlers’; instead, I did it at no cost and even produced it myself. Essentially, I rely on my own abilities, similar to how ‘Jenny From the Block’ operates – I follow my passions.

Adrien Brody didn’t star in “The Brutalist” for financial gain. Instead, he portrayed a tormented Hungarian architect in post-WWII America for approximately $250,000, eventually earning his second Oscar for Best Actor.

Brody remarked to Variety, “I urgently require a studio movie right now, as I’ve invested all my effort into this project,” referencing the “castle-like barn” he’s been restoring in upstate New York.

Pete Davidson jokingly commented to New York magazine about his salary from Saturday Night Live when asked before their 50th anniversary special, “Do you guys know what they pay us?” He was referring to the fact that when he joined SNL at age 20 in 2014, he earned around $3,000 per episode, explaining, “I think I just got dinner.

Remarkably consistent, the starting salaries for SNL newcomers have maintained a similar scale over the years. As per reports from 1975, stars such as John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase earned approximately $750 per episode. This amount equates to around $3,300 in the year 2014, according to the Consumer Price Index Inflation calculator. If we fast-forward to 2025, that same 1975 salary would be equivalent to approximately $4,428.

Initially, Kenan Thompson earned less than $3,000 per episode during the early seasons of SNL. However, now, as he’s entered his impressive 22nd season, his paycheck significantly surpasses that amount. This just goes to show the journey from humble beginnings for even the most successful stars like Thompson, who once appeared on Nickelodeon.

In Demi Lovato’s 2024 documentary, “Child Star,” the All That alum shared a fascinating detail about my early career. I remember it vividly – that very first commercial check I received was for $800 when I was just 12 years old. To put it into perspective, at that age, that sum seemed almost unimaginable, like a million dollars in my young eyes.

It turns out Gilmore Girls’ status as a beloved rewatchable classic is literally priceless.

Lauren Graham, known for playing Lorelai Gilmore over seven seasons and later reprising her role in ‘Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life’ (2016), stated on Jimmy Kimmel Live in March 2025 that there are no residuals from Netflix. However, she mentioned she’s been compensated with affection and admiration instead.

Tommy Dorfman openly discussed her earnings from “13 Reasons Why” during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, a protest that was partially instigated by streaming platforms like Netflix not typically providing extra remuneration to actors and crew members when their shows became successful.

In his post on Threads dated July 24th, Dorfman shared that his total earnings for the first season of “13 Reasons Why” were $29,953.24 before agency and manager fees (taking away 20%) and taxes. He mentioned that he appeared in 8 episodes over a period of six months. Additionally, he pointed out that he handled all promotional work for the show, flew from New York City to San Francisco for every episode shoot, stayed for extended periods without pay or insurance, barely qualifying for it.

I’ve got to share this excitement! In just 28 short days, our beloved show managed an astonishing 476 million view hours during its first season. That’s why I stand here, beaming with pride and conviction!

In a casual chat on his podcast with my beloved co-star from our cherished NBC series, Lauren Graham, the ever-humble Dax Shepard humbly confessed that he was aware he ranked among the least paid actors in our show’s cast during its six-season run.

But, the Armchair Expert host stressed that he did not mind.

He shared that before becoming a parent, he always took the initiative to discover what everyone in their respective roles was earning. He would either find this information by having a casual conversation with them or discreetly inquire through intermediaries such as agents.

Instead, he intentionally avoided learning details about his lineage related to parenthood, thereby enhancing his enjoyment of the process, even when he occasionally sensed his position within the company’s hierarchy.

In 2005, George Clooney shared with the Los Angeles Times that he personally invested a dollar to produce his film “Good Night, and Good Luck.” To put it another way, he had to cash his own check as director and give up his acting earnings. Co-writer and co-producer Grant Heslov also made a dollar in the same capacity.

The heartfelt work on CBS News journalist Edward R. Murrow, who stood up to authority in the 1950s, has proven enduring. This is demonstrated by George Clooney’s Broadway debut where he portrays Murrow in a stage adaptation of the movie. Remarkably, during its preview week before the official opening on April 3, the play broke a Broadway record (for a non-musical), earning an impressive $3.3 million. Consequently, Clooney is reaping significantly more than just a dollar’s worth of success in this endeavor.

In the year 2000, during his chilling portrayal of Patrick Bateman in the movie “American Psycho”, Christian Bale was compensated with the absolute minimum wage they were legally permitted to pay him. This was because not many people involved in the production wanted to hire him, except for director Mary Harron. The Welsh actor shared this information with GQ magazine in 2022.

He shared that his earnings were extremely small, to the point where he recalled sitting in the makeup trailer with the makeup artists laughing at him as they realized he was being paid less than any of them.

Despite his uncle possibly being named Rico, Jon Heder clarified in 2010 that initially, he was compensated just $1,000 for the movie “Napoleon Dynamite”.

Following the unexpected success of his offbeat humor production, he managed to renegotiate a share of the earnings, informing the New Zealand Herald, “The offer was slightly increased.

Djimon Hounsou openly stated that he feels undervalued in the Hollywood film industry, despite boasting an impressive resume featuring movies such as “Amistad” and “Blood Diamond.

In an interview with Larry Madowo for CNN in January 2025, the Beninese actor shared that he’s worked in filmmaking for over two decades. Despite having received two Oscar nominations and being part of numerous blockbuster films, he continues to face financial struggles when it comes to earning a living.

In her 2024 memoir titled “Rebel Rising,” Rebel Wilson shared an interesting fact: she received only $3,500 for her role in Bridesmaids. This amount was actually used to become a member of the Screen Actors Guild, meaning that in essence, she didn’t receive any real payment for her work on the film.

Still, she wrote, the experience was “everything!”

The Australian actress saw a significant increase in her fame, with her earnings for “Pitch Perfect” (2012) starting at the SAG minimum scale of $65,000 and climbing up to $10 million for “Pitch Perfect 3” (2017). According to Wilson’s account, she earned a total of $20 million from the sequel, “Isn’t It Romantic,” and “The Hustle,” though it is important to note that nearly half of this sum went to taxes, ten percent to her agents, and five percent to her lawyer. Despite these expenses, as well as payments to her publicist, business manager, and assistant, Wilson still ended up with a substantial amount of money that she considered a significant fortune.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: Towards the end of 2017, I successfully renegotiated my contract for “Grey’s Anatomy,” securing a whopping $575,000 per episode. Plus, I got a substantial seven-figure signing bonus and two full backend equity points. These points are estimated to be worth around $6 million to $7 million in the long run.

In 2018, Pompeo told The Hollywood Reporter, “At 48 years old, I’ve reached a point where I feel comfortable asking for what I rightfully deserve.” This confidence comes with age, she explained. “I’m not the most trendy actress around, and people may think that’s because I’ve been playing this role for 14 years. However, it takes real skill to continue delivering a strong performance after all these years.

More recently, Ellen Pompeo has been contemplating the fact that she earned less than her co-star Patrick Dempsey, despite being “The Grey” character. However, she made it clear that she did not resent him for earning more money.

In a March 2025 episode of “Call Her Daddy”, she expressed, “As the show’s namesake, I felt I deserved equal treatment. It was frustrating because they didn’t appreciate me as much as they appreciated him, and that imbalance will never change.” She wasn’t angry about his success; instead, she was resentful about the perceived lack of recognition for her own worth compared to his.

Back in 1978, Jamie Lee Curtis earned $2,000 per week, which amounted to a total of $8,000 for her debut movie role in “Halloween”. She shared this tidbit with Rotten Tomatoes in 2018, stating that, as far as she knew, nobody was paid anything for the film.

Though actress Jamie Lee Curtis received four-figure earnings, John Carpenter’s friend Nick Castle, who played the role of Michael Myers, felt like royalty earning just $25 per day. It was Anthony Moran whose visage appeared when the killer’s mask momentarily came off, and editor Tommy Lee Wallace also accumulated screen time as Michael.

In 2018, Castle, who studied at USC alongside Carpenter, shared with Vanity Fair that “at the time, it felt like quite a lot!” What’s important to remember is that his motivation for participating in the film was to gain insight into filmmaking and directing. He assumed he’d be there without pay, just observing. But to his surprise, they offered him $25 per day, and all he needed to do was wear a rubber mask.

Taraji P. Henson received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her role in 2008’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Despite this recognition, she remained enthusiastic about the $150,000 she was paid for the movie, as producers turned down her initial demand of $500,000.

Regarding the main actors of the movie, Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, Henson mentioned on the Ladies First With Laura Brown podcast in 2021 that “Back then, it was rare to hear about $20 million salaries, but that’s exactly what was happening. And honestly, I believe they were rightfully compensated; I’m not suggesting they weren’t worthy of their due pay.

However, she added, “I was also contributing a specific sum for the seat, and at that stage in my career, I believed what I was asking was reasonable, considering the ticket sales for this large film. I wouldn’t have agreed otherwise.” Henson felt disappointed when they initially offered $100,000, she reminisced. “In the end, I received $150,000, but I had to set my pride aside,” she said affectionately.

Speaking from experience, I understand the common reaction when someone mentions receiving $150,000 might be, “Wow, that’s a substantial amount!” However, it’s important to remember that I’m not one to take things for granted. In reality, after accounting for taxes, my actual net gain would be around $75,000. Before the government takes its share, I need to ensure my team is compensated, which means setting aside 30% of the total earnings before taxes. So, Uncle Sam will take approximately 75%, leaving me with around 30% of the original amount, or roughly $40,000, assuming no other deductions or expenses.

Although Cate Blanchett amassed significant wealth throughout her career, it’s important to note that not all of her earnings came from portraying the royal elf Galadriel in the The Lord of the Rings series, which raked in a staggering $2.9 billion at global box offices.

In the episode of “Watch What Happens Live” in August 2024, she refuted Andy Cohen’s guess that LOTR was her largest earnings. She clarified, “Nobody received payment for that movie…All I really got were some free sandwiches, and I get to keep my ears.

Instead of saying “They weren’t paid a precious amount,” you could say “They didn’t receive a substantial sum.”

In the given context: “Orlando Bloom, who played elven warrior Legolas, revealed on The Howard Stern Show in 2023 that he made $175,000 for the entire trilogy, which means he wasn’t paid a substantial sum for his work.

Hopefully he also got to keep his ears.

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2025-05-08 16:20