'Idol' contestants newest wedding singers

NEW YORK, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Former contestants from "American Idol" are marketing their services for weddings across the United States for a fee.

Singers who appeared on the popular show have begun performing at weddings, bar mitzvahs and sweet-16 parties for as much as $150,000 a performance, the New York Post reported.

"The average going rate for an 'American Idol' finalist can be as little as $15,000 or as much as $150,000," a source told the newspaper. "But it really depends on what you want them to do. Are they just going to show up at the party or are they going to sing? Do they have a song on the charts right now, or are they yesterday's news?"

At the high end of the scale are former "Idol" champions Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks. On the other end of the spectrum are such lesser-known contestants as Kimberly Caldwell, who was a finalist during the second season of "Idol" and now reportedly banks $2,000 a performance.