The Wiggles’ reported salaries reveal huge difference in amounts paid to Emma Watkins and new band members

The West Australian
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Camera IconThe new look Wiggles. Credit: Fruit Salad TV/Fruit Salad TV

The new look Wiggles might be “gender balanced and diverse”, but their pay packets tell a very different story.

Last week the top children’s band prepared to usher in a new era as they revealed four new cast members to feature in their upcoming YouTube series Fruit Salad TV.

But according to Woman’s Day, not all of the eight cast members are on an even playing field, with their salaries showing the huge gap between their salaries.

The longest serving children’s entertainers are being paid the most, yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins reportedly raking in a whopping $750,000 a year.

Meanwhile, blue Wiggle Anthony Field — who is the only member of the original line-up — is said to be earning even more, taking home millions of dollars a year thanks to his majority share in the band.

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Camera IconThe Wiggles Tsehay, Bok, Anthony and Kelly. Credit: Fruit Salad TV/Fruit Salad TV

The amounts eclipse the $150,000 reportedly being paid to new performers Tsehay Hawkins, Evie Ferries, John Pearce and Kelly Hamilton.

But while there’s a huge difference in salaries, the newest Wiggles can also expect to see their star power rise significantly on the back of the enormously popular brand.

Pearce is a former pop star, having previously been a member of music group Justice Crew while Hawkins is a five-time world champion in Latin dancing, while Evie Ferris — wearing blue, including blue ballet slippers — is an Indigenous Australian and yoga teacher.

Camera IconEvie Ferries dances her way into The Wiggles. Credit: Fruit Salad TV/Fruit Salad TV

Kelly Hamilton, is the third female addition to the team and will wear yellow alongside Emma.

She is a Chinese-Australian dancer who formerly performed with the group and will ride a skateboard.

“As society has evolved, we have embraced the need for diversity and inclusiveness and want children all over the world to see themselves reflected on the screen,” original cast member Anthony Field said of the new look line up.

“It's so important that The Wiggles continue to evolve along with our society. This is the first step towards shaping The Wiggles for the next 30 years, taking us in a direction that truly represents and serves our community more inclusively.”

A representative for The Wiggles has been contacted for comment.

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