Trevor Noah joins a list of former hosts that includes such big names as Frank Sinatra, Whoopi Goldberg and James Corden. The job is a pretty high-pressure one,
and attracts some big names� so you might expect it to pay well. But you would be wrong. award ceremonies (and the Super Bowl half time Show) are less lucrative than you might think.
though the frequent articles that you see claiming that artists do not get paid at all are not strictly accurate, stars still receive a fairly small paycheck for the gig.
This also applies to the performers, who this year include such massive names as BTS, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X. The least that a Grammys presenter can be expected to be paid is around $5,000.
This is due to hosts being members of the SAG-AFTRA union, which sets minimum rates that its members have to be paid for work. Presenters will also usually get their travel expenses paid. In 2017,
Forbes reported that the total a host may make from the ceremony once all the rehearsal time and other behind-the-scenes work is factored in is around $20,000.
A significant sum for most of us for more,
but nothing compared to the $16 million Noah makes per year thanks to His Daily Show contract.
So why do hosts do it? Exposure is one key element—even though award ceremony viewing figures are on the slide,
they are still higher than any other show a host is likely to helm. There is also likely a sense of professional obligation. The Daily Show airs on Comedy Central—owned by Paramount, owners of CBS,
which is airing the Grammys. This explains why so many recent Grammys hosts have had a link to CBS, whether it be James Corden, or LL Cool J (who stars in the network's NCIS: Los Angeles).