How much cast of Byron reality show is really being paid

The Daily Telegraph can reveal how much the cast of controversial reality show Byron Baes is being paid to appear on the Netflix show.

Byron Baes’ Nathan Favro says he was paid “handsomely” to appear on the Netflix reality show despite industry speculation the cast did the show for free.

Favro has previously app­eared on The Bachelorette and Bachelor In Paradise and is one of the known reality TV faces in the controversial Byron Baes format.

“We were paid handsomely, Netflix look after you,” Favro told Confidential.

“It was more a case of we were all a team and we were all working ­together and so they gave us a lot of creative direction, they wanted to actually tell the story of our lives and what we are doing.”

Cast members Nathan Favro and Sarah Tangye. Picture: Richard Dobson

Dave Frim and Saskia Wotton. Picture: Richard Dobson

Influencer Jade Kevin Foster added: “They were very generous.”

A production source had stated cast members were paid simply “out-of- pocket expenses” for their participation in Byron Baes, which was widely criticised by locals fearing it would perpetuate stereotypes and attract the “wrong crowd” to the tourist hot spot.

“Talent were all paid the same out-of-pocket expense to appear on the show, which was less than $500 a day to cover off work and living costs,” the TV executive said.

The cast of Byron Baes pictured at The Shang-Gri La Hotel in Sydney. From Left: Elias Black, Cai Fox Leplaw, Simba Khaira, Jade Kevin Foster, Hannah Brauer, Nathan Favro, Sarah Tangye, Saskia Wotton, Dave Frim, Jess Johansen Bell and Lauren Johansen Bell. Picture: Richard Dobson

The series also stars Hannah Brauer, Saskia Wotton, Dave ‘Frimmy’ Frim, Elias Chigros, Cai Leplaw, Saskia Watson, Simba Ali, Sarah St Jamesand Jessica and Lauren Johansen-Bell. Two notables were absent when Netflix flew the cast in to Sydney to promote the show ahead of its launch tonight.

Entrepreneur Elle Watsonis in Mexico this week while talent manager Alex Reid is in Asia.

“They are not here because they are too busy,” Favro quipped.

“As if a global Netflix show is not big enough.”

Previews ahead of the series launch show Foster and Reid in particular not getting along.

Foster said viewers should expect a lot of drama.

“Strap yourself in,” he said. “It is like a roller coaster ... it is going to go up, down and real fast.”

Love too will blossom between Favro and St James with a love triangle promoted between the pair and former Love Island contestant Chigros.

“I really love Elias, we are two really different people and butted heads even before any sort of love triangle,” Favro said. “We love and respect each other for who we are even though we are completely different people but sometimes it is hard to hang out together.”