When Carrie Underwood won American Idol in 2005, People reported she earned a $1 million prize, a recording contract, a Ford Mustang, and the use of a private jet.
But when Laine Hardy won the 17th season of Idol in 2019, he took home a much smaller prize. The Blast reported “The Bayou Boy” earned $250,000, plus $1,000 per week while he worked on recording his debut album. As the winner, he also receives $1,000 per master track he turns in.
While Idol has changed the amount of money it gives to its winner, The Voice‘s cash prize has remained the same since the start of the show.
That means that Season 17’s winner, Jake Hoot, earned the same amount of money that Javier Colon earned for winning Season 1.
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Some past Voice winners and finalists have earned additional rewards beyond the typical recording contract and cash prize. For example, the four Season 16 finalists all received a Toyota RAV4, which host Carson Daly announced during the finale.
And of course, whoever wins The Voice gets to take home the show’s signature “V” trophy. You can get an up-close look at the trophy in the below photo Chevel Shepherd shared after she won Season 15.
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As exciting as all of that is, we’re sure you’re curious to know how much money Hoot earned after his big win. Well, we have the answer for you.
According to Newsweek, Hoot won $100,000, just like every past champion before him.
That cash prize is in addition to Hoot’s record deal. Past winners, such as Season 16’s Maelyn Jarmon, have been able to receive royalties from the songs they record under their contract.
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Hoot spoke to Newsweek after his big win, and revealed what he plans to do now that he is $100,000 richer. He mentioned he’s had his eye on an old home in Tennessee for some time now, and hopes he can now put a down payment on that:
“Well, I’ll probably be able to buy some pretty nice presents for the girls and my girlfriend, but I’ve had my eye on a house back home in Tennessee that’s from the early 1900s. I think it was actually built in 1900. So that will be a nice little down payment on that. I’m looking forward to getting home.”
We’re so happy for Hoot! You can relive the moment he was named the Season 17 winner of The Voice by tuning in to the video below.