Want To Rent An American Idol For Your Kid's Party?

More than 30 million American Idol (NWS) fans are watching the newest crop of singers this season. But last night's first castoff from the final 12, ex-stripper David Hernandez, may find that his next audience is a little smaller, like say 300 people.

That was size of the Bat Mitzvah party at the Oheka Castle in Huntington, Long Island where last season's Idol also-ran, Sanjaya Malakar, put on a show for Rachel Lader, 12, and her friends. On March 8, Sanjaya, 18, read from the Torah and danced the hora pro bono, but the party girl’s father, Spencer Lader, hinted to the New York Post (NWS) that this gig would probably lead to a future paid business deal.

The afterlife of an American Idol is a work in progress. After six complete seasons the winners and top finalists have sold millions of records, appeared on Broadway, and two have even won Grammys (Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood). But what about the earlier vote-offs? It appears not all of them are merely singing gratis for their matzah.

Carmen Rasmusen, who placed 6th in season two, is another party singer, only she gets paid. The married Mormon singer, 22, works with party-planning parents to set her flexible Bat Mitzvah (or any other celebration) rate, which she says can be more than $5,000 per gig. (She then splits that money with her band and crew.) The young singer also has a recording deal with the Mt. Juliet, Tenn.-based Lofton Creek Records. “You don’t get paid, unless you sell records,” she says, adding that her appearances around the country cover her bills. “So far it’s been a nice income. It’s sporadic and comes in chunks. I’ve been paid anywhere from $500 to $20,000.” In addition to singing, Rasmusen speaks on behalf of Galderma Laboratories’ LoseTheZits.com campaign. “It’s an acne gel like Proactiv,” she says. “Sponsorships and commercials pay really well. The speaking stuff I get around $500 for and for my band to perform it is $5,000.”