do the contestants get reimbursed?

Does anyone know if the contestants have to pay their way to Hollywood after they get their ticket?

That's an interesting question because I always thought that they had to at least pay for their own flight to Hollywood and then AI would cover the expenses for the hotel and some sort of per diem for meals. But now that you asked, it makes me wonder if AI pays for it all, including the flight.

Remember Simon asking Garrett, the singing cowboy, if he had money for singing lessons and he said, 'no sir, I really don't think I could come up with it'? It appeared that Simon sent the kid to Hollywood to give him a chance (or more likely a storyline for auditions week) knowing that the kid would never be able to have that chance again.

So, my guess now (as compared to some other seasons) is that it's all

I think that AI foots the bill to Hollywood. They might *not* foot the bill for parents/etc - or they may pay for ONE extra person. I think legally - for the young ones - they have to pay for a guardian.

Then I think their accomodations are paid for... meals, etc....

I think they're on their own after that. I think I heard about a contestants friends starting a fund for their trip expenses..

More importantly, do they have to pay their way to get home once they get booted off?

- Jay