Juliette Porter, known for her role on MTV’s reality series “Siesta Key,” recently reflected on how the show has significantly influenced her life both personally and financially. At just 17, she began filming the pilot, envisioning a career in law after attending Florida State University. However, with the show’s premiere in 2017 when she was only 19, her life took a different trajectory. Despite her initial dreams of becoming an attorney, she realized that was not where her true passions lay.
Porter revealed details about her earnings while filming “Siesta Key.” In the first season, she was compensated $1,500 per episode, amounting to around $20,000 for the season. However, as the series progressed, so did her financial success. By the second season, her earnings had increased significantly to about $60,000, a reflection of the more substantial number of episodes produced. By the conclusion of the show in 2022, her earnings had skyrocketed, demonstrating the lucrative potential of reality television.
Reflecting on her journey, Porter humorously claimed that she had become “a billionaire” due to her early success as a reality TV star. As the show’s primary narrator, she had a significant role that justified a substantial salary increase. “I would negotiate my narration fee to be huge,” she disclosed, recounting that she earned approximately $120,000 for only about five hours of work. This position provided her leverage to negotiate better pay and enhanced her financial gain.
“Siesta Key” premiered in 2017 and featured a group of friends navigating life in Florida. Alongside Porter, the show also starred Madisson Hausburg, Kelsey Owens, and several others. Over its five-season run, “Siesta Key” became a platform for young adults to showcase their lives, capturing issues of friendship, love, and personal development. Porter, having taken on the role of narrator, was integral to shaping the show’s narrative.
After the conclusion of “Siesta Key,” Porter sought new adventures, co-hosting her own podcast and venturing into swimwear design. She noted the changes that led to the show’s end, stating that many of the friendships formed during high school had evolved. Reflecting on this transition, she expressed a desire to grow beyond the show’s confines while noting that her former co-stars may not share the same aspirations for life in Miami.
In summary, Juliette Porter’s experience on “Siesta Key” reshaped her identity, guiding her from aspiring lawyer to successful reality TV star and entrepreneur. Her financial growth throughout the show’s duration exemplified the potential rewards of reality television, and her evolution beyond the series indicates her readiness for new challenges and opportunities in her career and personal life.
