Huge payday for Cleo Smith's parents
Just weeks after the alleged abduction of four-year-old Cleo Smith, the girl’s parents reportedly signed a $2 million deal with Channel Nine.
Cleo Smith made international headlines in November after she was allegedly abducted from her family’s campsite in Western Australia, before being found alive and well 18 days later.
Cleo's mother Ellie Smith and stepfather Jake Gliddon agreed to a tell-all interview with 60 Minutes, in what is believed to be Australia’s most expensive television deal.
Reportedly organised by high profile talent agent Max Markson, the deal also includes a series of follow-up stories exclusive to Nine-owned publications.
According to The Australian, there is also speculation of a six-part special for streaming service Stan, that young Cleo herself may feature in the interviews.
Nine beat out the Seven Network’s Spotlight program for the lucrative deal, despite Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes' “personal interest” in the story.
“Nine was scared at the end of the year after they lost their No 1 position – this seems a desperate attempt to regain the mantle … and it won't work,” an inside source told the publication.
Despite the high profile nature of the case, some staff at the network are reportedly horrified by the deal.
“What are the possible consequences of asking this young girl to talk about what happened to her, when we don't know what she went through?” one journalist asked.
News of the deal comes after a source told Daily Mail Australia that Cleo’s parents were considering changing the four-year-old’s name in order to stop unwanted attention.
The couple has reportedly been seeking advice from other parents whose children have been through similar ordeals that thrust them into the limelight.
“They're worried about the repercussions of the media and so forth down the track,” a source told Daily Mail Australia.
Cleo’s parents are reportedly concerned about the impact the media attention could have on her livelihood as she grows up.
“They're worried about people making the connection later on down the line,” the source said.
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