How Much Does Jeannie Mai Make As Host Of The Real?
As The Real enters its seventh season, the daytime talk show's ratings continue to stand out among its competition in the genre. Variety even declared The Real a "rare success story for the syndicated market" because it "showcases a panel of women offering diverse perspectives on hot topics, hot-button issues, beauty, fashion, relationships, and their personal lives." Although its hosts, who are all women of color, have changed in the months leading up to the new season — original co-host and actress Tamera Mowry-Housley and comedian Amanda Seales both announced their departures at the end of season six, while reality star Garcelle Beauvais signed on for season seven — The Real remains home to actress Adrienne Houghton, comedian Loni Love, and fashion guru Jeannie Mai.
Since the show's 2013 debut, the ladies of The Real have earned the 2018 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Hosts (per Essence) and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Talk Series in both 2018 and 2019 (per NAACP). But, of course, with great success, comes great drama. In 2018, rumors swirled that Houghton and Mai were angry over Mowry-Housley's salary, as OK! Magazine reported that the former Sister, Sister star earned more than her fellow co-hosts.
If that's the case, then how much does Jeannie Mai really make on The Real? Let's investigate.
Jeannie Mai reportedly earns less than her fellow 'The Real' co-hosts
TV personality Jeannie Mai accumulated much of her net worth long before The Real. According to Grow, Mai's time behind the MAC Cosmetics counter helped the makeup artist forge connections with celebrity clients. However, Mai soon realized she could reach thousands more people if she were to share her unique tips on television. With an internship at the largest television network in San Francisco, a 22-year-old Mai pitched her services and the rest, as they say, is history.
In 2006, Mai earned her first hosting gig on USA's Character Fantasy (per NBC) and, three years later, Mai became the host of TLC's How Do I Look? Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Mai is currently worth $1 million. However, Showbiz CheatSheet cites the host's net worth at $2 million because Mai retained ownership of her $1.2 million Los Angeles home after her divorce from husband Freddy Harteis in 2019.
But how much of Mai's net worth is from The Real, you ask? Well, that figure is hard to pinpoint. Former co-host Tamera Mowry-Housley reportedly raked in $2.5 million per season, while the remaining co-hosts make an estimated $200,000 to $950,000 per season (via Showbiz CheatSheet). And, since salary rumors indicate that Mai and co-host Adrienne Houghton are the lowest paid panel members, Mai could be making close to a quarter of a million dollars per season. As one of the original co-hosts, isn't it time Mai earn an equal wage?