Money Matters, Simplified.
Octomom signs deal for reality show on television
by Neka Sehgal - July 26, 2009 - comments
Nadya Suleman has signed a $250,000 deal with a reality TV show starring her 14 children aged eight and under
Los Angeles, July 26: Octomom Nadya Suleman has finally taken the plunge and signed a deal, with European production company Eyewitness, to star in a new reality television show with her 14 children.
In April, Nadya Suleman’s lawyer told UsMagazine.com that the she was interested in taping a “not so intrusive” television series to “make a little income for herself.”
Suleman, of course, claims she is “not capitalizing” on her kids. “I’m using every resource I can secure to provide for my children,” the Octomom told UsMagazine.com. “What else am I gonna’ do?
Payments outlined in the contract
The production company which is anticipating a judge’s approval, warrant that each of her kids will earn $250 a day and will collectively earn about $250,000 over three years.
The payments outlined in the contracts say Suleman's kids will earn $125,000 for 36 days of shooting in the first year of production, $75,000 for 21 days in the second year and $50,000 for 14 days in the third year. Compensation will be guaranteed for any extra shooting days at the same rate.
According to the requirements of the California law, 15 percent of the children’s earnings will go into a “Coogan Trust Account” which they can access when they turn 18.
The show is stated to begin filming on Sept. 1, provided there are no legal problems. According to her lawyer, the crew will not shadow the Octomom’s children 24 hours but will record only the important events such as birthdays and special occasions.
Curiosity and outrage
Suleman gave birth to the world's longest-surviving set of octuplets in January. The immense curiosity and interest generated by this medical feat turned to public outrage with the revelation that she was unemployed, and had conceived the octuplets, and six other children, through in vitro fertilisation.
She incurred the wrath of the public further when it was revealed that the single mother had been bringing up her six other children with the help of food stamps and Social Security disability payments for three of the youngsters.
Last month, Suleman and RadarOnline faced allegations of labor abuses for shooting video of her children without the necessary safeguards to protect their health and welfare.