Teen Mom has made Leah Messer and Jenelle Evans into stars. They are on the cover of all the tabloids. Their faces are everywhere and people love to gossip about them nearly non-stop. In short, they are the Snooki and JWoww of the rural set. So why aren't they getting paid like it?
Rumor says that both Leah and Jenelle are threatening to quit Teen Mom over salary negotiations, among other things. And I, for one, can't blame them. These girls SHOULD be making what the cast of Jersey Shore makes, right? They are just as big a cash cow for MTV, right?
According to Hollywood Life, an "insider" said this about Leah:
Whenever the issue of spin-off shows for the cast of Teen Mom 2 comes up, Leah has been holding her hand out for more cash. She really has gotten a big head because of all the attention. A lot of people in Elk View joke that she’s like the redneck Kim Kardashian.
Seems a little harsh, no? Why SHOULDN'T she get paid for what she does? After all, cameras follow her around 24/7, and blogs and tabloids knock her and judge her life and call her names. She deserves some of the cash MTV is making from her.
More from The Stir: 'Teen Mom' Jenelle Angers Real Teen Moms
Jenelle is also feeling the money crunch. Personally, I would rather see these girls who NEED the money get it than Snooki and her crew who spend it on bronzer and tacky jewelry.
Paying them too little is exploitation plain and simple. MTV says they are good enough to be used for cash, but not good enough to share the wealth. Isn't that a bit like a pimp and prostitute relationship? Will MTV be backhanding these girls soon?
I say good on Leah and Jenelle for fighting the good fight. They are in the driver's seat. Without them, MTV doesn't have a show. Of course there will be other teen moms willing to take their places. But they won't be the girls we KNOW.
Even if MTV doesn't back down and give the girls more money, they should be moving on. If the show is doing all this damage to their lives AND not paying them for it, they need to move on and do so quickly.
Do you think they deserve more money?
Image via MTV
Moms Love Birthday Parties, Too!
Father Knows Best - Happy Father's Day!
Are Cheaters Entitled to Privacy? - A...
Road Trips Make Mommies Wild!
Comments 55
The whole situation is one that is not being taken as seriously as it should. There is a teen mom out there, who is now pregnant again, with twins. Motherhood is a serious road trip for those who don't already know or from the outside may think "Hey yea, piece of cake I can do that" I am a mom of three girls 19, 17 & 8 and a son who is going to be 11. I've had good days and really good days, I've also had the days from hell and kept on the move because that is what motherhood demands. Motherhood is a taxing job, a whole lot of hours and alot of responsibility. It's more than just putting on a diaper, feeding a bottle and dressing the babies up cute. There is a maturity level that one will need from the day that child is born until the day they leave your house for college to handle situations that will arise that will wrench your heart, advice you will need to give to make your kids better than you were and the days that make you jump for joy. Got news for you I'm still mothering, more on the side of still mentoring because though two of my kids are older, my job is still not done wit them. The chatter that goes on about this girl and yes I said girl that perhaps there is spin off show, she wants to be like Kate Gosselin. Really a young girl having more children for the celebrity fame and cash.... time for a reality check.
I think they need to pull the plug on 'reality' tv. Teen pregnancy is a tragedy and nothing to glamorize or gawk at. I've never watched this show, and never will. Never watched Toddlers in Tiaras for the same reason. I hate seeing kids being exploited.