Richest Reality Stars of the 2000s and Where They Are Now
The 2000s have given us a number of reality show legends, including ?Jon & Kate Plus 8,? ?The Hills,? ?The Simple Life,? ?Flavor of Love? and ?Jersey Shore.? While some of the shows? stars turned their 15 minutes of fame into million-dollar empires, others squandered their earnings with irresponsible spending or chose to retreat from the spotlight to lead normal lives.
Last updated: Oct. 20, 2020
Heidi Montag Net Worth: $100,000
Known for: “The Hills”
Heidi Montag is one of the celebrities with surprisingly small fortunes.
She rose to fame as Lauren Conrad’s best friend-turned-frenemy on the MTV reality show “The Hills,” on which she appeared from 2006 to 2010. Though Montag reportedly earned $100,000 per episode in 2009, according to Daily Beast, she squandered her fortune by spending millions on a designer wardrobe, a full security staff and fancy dinners.
While she no longer has her “Hills” cash flow, the one thing she did leave the reality show with is her husband, Spencer Pratt, who also appeared on the hit series as her on-and-off love interest. The couple eloped in Mexico in November 2008 before making their marriage official with a stateside wedding in April 2009.
The couple welcomed their first child, son Gunner Stone, in 2017.
Mike ?The Situation? Sorrentino Net Worth: $300,000
Known for: “Jersey Shore”
Want to know how much the “Jersey Shore” cast members used to make? Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino was set to earn $5 million in 2010 during the height of his “Jersey Shore” fame, thanks to endorsement deals and a $1 million salary from the show, The Hollywood Reporter stated at the time. By 2012, he was making $2.55 million per season, Radar Online reported.
Although the MTV hit ended in 2012, Sorrentino’s own reality career did not. He appeared on “The Sorrentinos” (2014), “Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars” (2015) and “Worst Cooks in America” (2016).
Sorrentino served eight months in jail in 2019 after pleading guilty to tax evasion charges for not paying taxes on his “Jersey Shore” earnings.
Related: 35 Reality Stars You Didn’t Know Are Extremely Wealthy
Kate Gosselin Net Worth: $500,000
Known for: “Jon & Kate Plus 8”
Kate Gosselin appeared on two TV specials, “Home Delivery“ and the two-part “Surviving Sextuplets” before 2007’s “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” But it was that reality show that made her a star.
Kate and Jon Gosselin went through a very public divorce in 2009, but the show continued on as “Kate Plus 8,” running off and on from 2010 to 2016. Gosselin reportedly was paid $250,000 per episode of her spinoff show, according to TV Guide.
Gosselin said most of her earnings had been put into college funds for her children. She also said that she spent some of her earnings on a tummy tuck.
Adrianne Curry Net Worth: $500,000
Known for: “America’s Next Top Model,” “The Surreal Life”
Adrianne Curry was an aspiring model when she appeared on — and won — the first season of “America’s Next Top Model” in 2003. She next appeared on the VH1 reality series “The Surreal Life” in 2005. It was on the show that she met and fell in love with Christopher Knight, who played middle son Peter on “The Brady Bunch.” They got their own reality show, “My Fair Brady,” which aired from 2005 to 2008.
The reality star duo split in 2011, and Curry has since left Hollywood to pursue a simpler life in Montana. She remarried in 2018 and currently sells Avon makeup.
Tiffany ?New York? Pollard Net Worth: $500,000
Known for: “Flavor of Love,” “I Love New York”
Tiffany “New York” Pollard made her mark on the reality TV world as a contestant on the Flavor Flav dating competition show, “Flavor of Love,” in 2006. She appeared on two seasons of the show and was runner-up twice. Although she didn’t win at love, she did score numerous spinoff shows.
Pollard starred in her own dating competition show, “I Love New York,” which ran from 2007 and 2008, as well as in the shows “New York Goes to Hollywood” (2008) and “New York Goes to Work” (2009). She also appeared on “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2016.
Pollard has tried her hand at acting, starring in the films “First Sunday” (2008), “The Shop” (2014) and “Sharknado 5: Global Swarming” (2017).
Flavor Flav Net Worth: $3 Million
Known for: “The Surreal Life,” “Flavor of Love”
As part of the rap group Public Enemy, Flavor Flav achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. The group has released 17 albums, three of which have been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Flav might now be just as well known for his reality career as for his rapping, having appeared on four VH1 shows: “The Surreal Life” (2004), “Strange Love” (2005), “Flavor of Love” (2006-08)” and “Couples Therapy” (2013).
In addition to working in the entertainment business, Flav was in the fast food business — but that didn’t last long.
Omarosa Net Worth: $3.5 Million
Known for: “The Apprentice”
Omarosa Manigault might be the ultimate reality TV villain. The outspoken businesswoman first made waves on the inaugural season of “The Apprentice” in 2004, and appeared on the show again two more times as a celebrity on 2008’s “Celebrity Apprentice” and 2013’s “Celebrity Apprentice: All Stars.” She also has appeared on several other reality shows, including “The Surreal Life” (2003 and 2005) and “Fear Factor” (2005).
Despite being fired by Donald Trump three times on “The Apprentice,” she worked for his election campaign and later joined the White House staff. She left in January 2018.
Bridget Marquardt Net Worth: $4 Million
Known for: “The Girls Next Door”
Bridget Marquardt starred alongside Holly Madison and Kendra Wilkinson on “The Girls Next Door,” which followed the women’s lives as the late Hugh Hefner’s live-in girlfriends.
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She appeared on the show from 2005 to 2009, and also hosted the Travel Channel series “Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches” in 2009. Marquardt also appeared on Wilkinson’s spinoff shows “Kendra” and “Kendra on Top,” and on Madison’s spinoff show “Holly’s World.”
For a time Marquardt ran an Etsy shop that sold handmade aprons and hair accessories.
Nicole ?Snooki? Polizzi Net Worth: $4 Million
Known for: “Jersey Shore”
Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi was the breakout star of MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” which followed the antics of a houseful of 20-somethings as they partied hard in Seaside Heights, N.J. Polizzi appeared on the hit show from 2009 to 2012, and was reportedly paid $2.55 million for the final season, according to Radar.
Polizzi then went on to star in a spinoff show with her co-star Jenni “JWOWW” Farley, aptly titled “Snooki & JWOWW,” which aired from 2012 to 2015. She also appeared on “Dancing With the Stars” in 2013, and most recently was a contestant on “The New Celebrity Apprentice.”
In addition to her reality show endeavors, Polizzi has an extensive online retail store that sells clothing, shoes and accessories.
Jamie Chung Net Worth: $5 Million
“The Real World: San Diego”
Jamie Chung got her start in the entertainment industry as a cast member on “The Real World: San Diego” in 2004 and as a contestant on “The Challenge” in 2005. She’s since turned her focus from reality TV to acting, appearing on numerous television series, including “Days of Our Lives,” “Samurai Girl,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Gotham” and “The Gifted.”
Chung has also acted in movies, including “The Hangover Part II,” “The Hangover: Part III,” “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For” and “Office Christmas Party.” She provided the voice of GoGo Tomago for “Big Hero 6: The Series” and appeared in the recent films “1985” and “Dangerous Lies.”
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Brooke Hogan Net Worth: $6 Million
Known for: “Hogan Knows Best”
The daughter of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, Brooke Hogan became a reality star when she appeared on “Hogan Knows Best” (2005-07). Thanks to the show’s success, Hogan got her own spinoff show, “Brooke Knows Best,” which ran from 2008 to 2009.
Hogan used her reality fame to launch her singing career, releasing two albums and two EPs: “Undiscovered” (2006) and “The Redemption” (2009); and “I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend” (2015) and “So Many Summers” (2018).
Kendra Wilkinson Net Worth: $6 Million
Known for: “The Girls Next Door”
Kendra Wilkinson was also one of Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends during the filming of the E! reality show about life in the Playboy Mansion, “The Girls Next Door,” which she starred in from 2005 to 2009. Although Wilkinson eventually decided to leave the mansion, she did not stop starring on reality TV.
Her spinoff show, “Kendra,” appeared on E! from 2009 to 2011, and her next show, “Kendra on Top,” ran on WE tv from 2012 to 2016. She’s also appeared as a contestant on “Dancing With the Stars” (2011), “Splash” (2013), “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!” (2014) and “Worst Cooks in America” (2016), among other TV appearances.
Wilkinson is the author of two New York Times bestsellers: “Sliding Into Home” (2010) and “Being Kendra: Cribs, Cocktails & Getting My Sexy Back” (2012).
Mike ?The Miz? Mizanin Net Worth: $9 Million
Known for: “The Real World: Back to New York”
Before he was “The Miz,” Mike Mizanin was one of seven strangers picked to be a part of MTV’s “Real World” cast in 2001.
Mizanin took advantage of his 15 minutes to become a successful WWE wrestler. He competed as a wrestler throughout the early 2000s, but it wasn’t until 2010 that he had a career breakthrough when he won the WWE championship.
Nicole Richie Net Worth: $10 Million
Known for: “The Simple Life”
Nicole Richie, the adopted daughter of Lionel Richie, appeared on “The Simple Life” with her real-life best friend Paris Hilton from 2003 to 2007, though their friendship had come apart by the end of the show.
Despite a public feud with Hilton, Richie became successful in her own right. She currently has a clothing, jewelry and accessories brand, House of Harlow 1960, and made the transition from reality to acting.
Christian Siriano Net Worth: $10 Million
Known for: “Project Runway”
Fashion designer Christian Siriano has dressed Angelina Jolie, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna and Michelle Obama, among others. But in 2008, he was just another up-and-coming designer competing on “Project Runway.” Siriano won his season and went on to achieve immense success in the fashion industry.
In addition to having his own high-end line, Siriano has collaborated with major retailers and brands, including Payless ShoeSource, HSN, Disney, Nordstrom, Best Buy and Puma. He also launched his own line of intimates, eyewear, home/bedding and beauty collections.
Kelly Osbourne Net Worth: $15 Million
Known for: “The Osbournes”
The daughter of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne became well known after appearing on the MTV reality show about her zany family.
Though the show ended its run in 2005, Osbourne remained in the spotlight. She released two albums in the early 2000s and appeared on TV as a host of E!’s “Fashion Police” from 2010 to 2015.
Osbourne also launched a fashion line called “Stories…By Kelly Osbourne” with HSN in 2014.
Holly Madison Net Worth: $16 Million
Known for: “The Girls Next Door”
Playboy Playmate and Hugh Hefner’s former “No. 1” girlfriend Holly Madison starred on “The Girls Next Door” from 2005 to 2009. Madison then starred in her own spinoff series, “Holly’s World” (2009-11), which chronicled her life as a Las Vegas showgirl.
She is a New York Times bestselling author and has written two memoirs: “Down the Rabbit Hole” (2015) and “The Vegas Diaries” (2016). Madison has stepped away from reality TV, but has landed endorsement deals with DIFF Eyewear and FabFitFun.
Bret Michaels Net Worth: $18 Million
Known for: “Rock of Love With Bret Michaels”
In the 1980s, Bret Michaels was best known as the lead singer of Poison, but in the 2000s he was known for his dating reality show’s antics. Michaels starred on the VH1 show “Rock of Love With Bret Michaels,” which aired from 2007 to 2009 and made him a bona fide reality star.
In 2010, he appeared on and won “Celebrity Apprentice” following his recovery from a brain hemorrhage, and he also appeared on “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice” in 2013.
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Hulk Hogan Net Worth: $25 Million
Known for: “Hogan Knows Best”
Hulk Hogan was a star in the pro-wrestling world in the 1980s before appearing on the reality show “Hogan Knows Best” from 2005 to 2007.
In 2016, Hogan received a $31 million settlement from Gawker after the media company published an excerpt of a sex tape he appeared in, which he claimed was a violation of privacy. The settlement came after four years of litigation.
Hogan owns two locations of Hogan’s Beach Shop, which sells Hulk Hogan-themed apparel, collectibles and autographed goods.
Kristin Cavallari Net Worth: $30 Million
Known for: “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County,” “The Hills”
Like many of her fellow cast members, Kristin Cavallari made a lot of money on “The Hills.” She also stirred up the drama on the show as well as on “Laguna Beach.”
Cavallari has parlayed her reality fame into a number of businesses. She launched the Uncommon James jewelry line earlier this year and has a line of shoes with Chinese Laundry. Her book, “Balancing in Heels,” was released in 2016 is a New York Times bestseller. Cavallari still appears on TV as an E! red carpet host. She was married to NFL quarterback Jay Cutler but filed for divorce earlier this year.
Lauren Conrad Net Worth: $40 Million
Known for: “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County,” “The Hills”
Before she became a lifestyle guru, fashion designer and author, Lauren Conrad starred in the MTV series “Laguna Beach” (2004-05) and its spinoff, “The Hills” (2006-10). The SoCal native used her fame to launch an empire.
Conrad’s LC Lauren Conrad line includes home goods, jewelry, handbags and shoes, in addition to clothing, available on her website.
She is also the co-founder of The Little Market, a nonprofit e-commerce site that sells handmade artisan goods to benefit the artists’ communities. In addition, she is the author of numerous New York Times bestselling books.
Ozzy Osbourne Net Worth: $220 Million
Known for: “The Osbournes”
Ozzy Osbourne was already well known as the lead singer of Black Sabbath when he starred on MTV’s “The Osbournes,” but the reality show introduced him to a new audience.
He appeared on the show from 2002 to 2005, and received hefty paychecks for doing so. The family members were reportedly paid $5,000 each per episode during the first season. But thanks to the show’s popularity, they were paid an astounding $5 million per episode for the second season, CNN reported. Osbourne continues to perform as a solo artist.
Sharon Osbourne Net Worth: $220 Million
Known for: “The Osbournes”
Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne’s manager turned wife, became famous in her own right with the success of “The Osbournes” (2002-05). Osbourne has remained a television staple long after the show ended.
She currently appears as a host on “The Talk.” She has authored or co-authored six books.
Paris Hilton Net Worth: $300 Million
Known for: “The Simple Life”
Hilton Hotel heiress Paris Hilton was known before her reality stint on “The Simple Life” (2003-07) for being a socialite and party girl — and for splurging on her dogs. However, the show brought her to new levels of fame.
Outside of her family fortune, Hilton has several successful businesses of her own. She has her own lines of shoes, T-shirts, fragrances and accessories, as well as a New York Times bestselling book and an album that includes the RIAA certified gold single “Stars Are Blind.” Her perfume line has proved to be extremely profitable: by 2015, she had sold 40 million bottles, totaling $2 billion in sales.
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