Alex Dudov
From unpaid fashion internships to commanding five-figure fees for a single Instagram post, Paige DeSorbo's financial journey reads like a masterclass in modern celebrity entrepreneurship. The Summer House star didn't just stumble into wealth—she strategically built it, one brand deal and podcast episode at a time. Here's how a girl from Albany turned her passion for fashion into a million-dollar empire.
Early Career: From Intern to Fashion Insider
Paige's journey to wealth started the way most fashion dreams do—with a lot of hustle and very little money. After graduating from the College of Saint Rose in Albany with a journalism degree, she dove headfirst into New York's brutal fashion industry. Her first gigs were the typical intern grind at various NYC publications and brands, where she was either unpaid or scraping by on maybe $15-20 an hour. Not exactly glamorous.
She worked her way through entry-level positions at companies like Alice + Olivia and Intimissimi, where her first real paychecks probably landed somewhere around $30,000-40,000 a year. These weren't the jobs that made her rich, but they were the ones that taught her the business and helped her build connections that would matter later.
The turning point came when she went freelance as a fashion writer and stylist. By 2017, she was piecing together around $50,000-60,000 annually through styling jobs, some writing gigs, and her steadily growing Instagram presence. It wasn't massive money yet, but she was building something—a personal brand that people actually cared about.
The Summer House Years: When Paige DeSorbo Net Worth Skyrocketed
Everything changed in 2019 when Paige joined Bravo's Summer House for Season 3. Reality TV didn't just open doors—it blew them off the hinges. While Bravo keeps salaries under wraps, newer cast members typically start around $10,000-60,000 per season. But by her second and third seasons, Paige was probably pulling in closer to $75,000-100,000 just from the show itself.
The real money wasn't the TV paycheck though—it was what reality TV did for her Instagram. Her following exploded from maybe 50,000 to well over a million, and suddenly brands were throwing money at her. During the 2020-2022 boom, she was charging anywhere from $5,000-15,000 for a single sponsored post. Do the math on multiple posts per month, and you're looking at hundreds of thousands in additional income yearly.
The peak hit somewhere between 2021 and 2023 when everything aligned perfectly. She launched Giggly Squad, her comedy podcast with Hannah Berner, which became a massive hit. Podcasts at that level can bring in $200,000-500,000 annually just from ads and live shows. Add in hosting gigs for Amazon Live fashion shows, appearances on Winter House, and her premium brand partnerships, and Paige was suddenly making serious money from multiple directions at once.
Paige DeSorbo Net Worth Today: Multiple Income Streams
These days, Paige is bringing in an estimated $500,000-750,000 annually, maybe more. Her sponsored post rates have jumped to somewhere around $10,000-20,000 per post, and brands are still lining up. The podcast keeps growing, with live shows selling out across the country. Her Summer House salary for established cast members like her probably hits $100,000-150,000 per season now. She's got her own merch line going, plus she still takes on styling clients when she wants to.
Looking at the trajectory, Paige DeSorbo net worth could easily hit $5 million in the next few years if she keeps playing her cards right. What sets her apart from other reality stars is that she's actually building businesses, not just cashing in on temporary fame. She's thinking long-term, and it shows.
Key Principles: How Paige Built Success
Paige's success didn't happen by accident—she's got some clear principles that guided her rise. First off, she's all about being real. She built her following by actually being herself instead of trying to be some perfect influencer robot. She's been open about the fact that people can tell when you're faking it, which is why she shares the messy, unglamorous parts of life along with the fashion and parties.
Second, she's big on consistency and putting in the work even when nobody's watching. During those broke early years, she kept posting and blogging even when engagement was terrible, building habits that paid off huge later. She's talked about juggling three jobs just to pay rent while chasing her fashion dreams—not exactly the overnight success story people imagine.
Third, Paige believes in taking calculated risks and betting on yourself. Joining reality TV could've backfired spectacularly, but she understood that visibility creates opportunities. She encourages people to take their shot instead of waiting for the perfect moment that never comes.
Finally, and maybe most importantly, she gets the power of diversification. She's not just a reality star or just an influencer—she's got TV money, podcast revenue, brand deals, hosting gigs, and merchandise all working together. When one income stream slows down, others pick up the slack. That's the kind of smart business thinking that separates people who build lasting wealth from those who flame out after their fifteen minutes end.
Alex Dudov
