By Zoe Papadakis | Monday, 27 July 2026 01:56 PM EDT
Former child actor Jennifer Hyatt Tedmori recently took to social media to expose the stark financial reality of acting royalties, tallying a grand total of just $30.06 from two TV shows.
Of that total, her payouts for appearing in 11 episodes of Nickelodeon’s “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide” amounted to a paltry $8.63.
The 37-year-old performer received checks for 2 cents, 63 cents, $1.11, 68 cents, 87 cents, 36 cents, 45 cents, two checks for 3 cents, three for 81 cents, and two for $1.01.
“It’s that time of the year for me: I got my Ned’s residual checks,” Hyatt Tedmori said as she opened her Thursday Instagram video, holding up a stack of envelopes. “Some of these could be a penny, some of these could be $5.”
The administrative cost of mailing the micro-payments drew criticism from the actor, who questioned the economics behind the distribution process.
“Now, I get it, it’s been a long time. I’m surprised that I’m getting anything. But 3 cents? It cost you 75 cents to send this envelope, and the way it’s adding up, the math ain’t f mathing,” she said.
Frustrated by the low payouts, Hyatt Tedmori tossed the paperwork aside during her filming session.
“All of 2 cents. See all of this paper I’m just littering in my car for 2 f cents,” she jabbed. “I know, hard times [and the] economy is s, but like 2 cents? Keep it. Just f keep it. I don’t want it.”
Anticipating pushback from viewers over her reaction to the tiny sums, she addressed potential critics directly.
“Don’t come for me about throwing away a nickel. Y’all had f let a nickel get lost in your couch,” she said. “Don’t come for me.”
A separate check provided a slightly higher return for her work on a different series. Hyatt Tedmori, who briefly portrayed “Goth Girl” for two episodes of The CW’s “90210” reboot, received a single payment of $21.43 from that production.
“[I got] $21.43. I’m surprised,” she said Thursday before adding up her bounty.
Evaluating the combined payout from both series, Hyatt Tedmori openly questioned the practical significance of the earnings, for her daily expenses and official tax obligations.
“For ‘Ned’s Declassified,’ that brings us to a grand total of $8.63. With ‘90210,’ [it’s] $30.06,” she said. “Maybe I can go buy a coffee at Starbucks? Do I even report this to the IRS? They’re not even gonna give a f.”
According to SAG-AFTRA, residuals are additional compensation paid to performers when a production is shown beyond the original use covered by their initial compensation.
Hyatt Tedmori’s comments come as residual pay remains a closely watched issue in Hollywood.
Earlier this year, the union’s members ratified a four-year agreement with studios and streaming companies that includes increases in residuals as well as new artificial intelligence protection for performers.
Hyatt Tedmori closed out her video by bidding farewell to her followers with a sarcastic wish.
“I hope you all have a great day,” the actor said. “I hope you get out there and make more than $8.63.”
Zoe Papadakis is a veteran journalist with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment, based in South Africa.
