How Did Joey Essex Make His Money? Here's How He Became Rich & Famous

9 September 2024, 15:51 | Updated: 9 September 2024, 16:11

Joey Essex not only appeared on Love Island in 2024 but on Selling Sunset too! Here's how the Essex lad went from TOWIE to million dollar mansions.

It can safely be said that Joey Essex was already a household name in the UK before his shocking appearance as the bombshell in the first episode of Love Island 2024.

But it feels like his Selling Sunset season 8 appearance was an even bigger bombshell to reality TV viewers, as the boy who grew up in Essex was now a man house-hunting in the Hollywood Hills.

• Read more: How Much Is Joey Essex Paid To Be On Love Island 2024? His Fees Revealed
• Read more: Joey Essex’s Complete Dating History From Vanessa Bauer & Lorena Medina To Now

So, how did Joey launch into such TV and financial success after starting off on The Only Way Is Essex?

How did Joey Essex make his money?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Joey Essex has amassed a massive net worth of $10 million.

As well as featuring on pretty much every TV show he possible could, Joey has found his wealth in business ventures including; a hair product line (Joey Essex D'Reem Hair), two perfumes (Fusey for men and My Girl for women), a clothing line (DAFDEA) and album.

He also reportedly rented out his huge £3 million house in Chigwell for £13,000 a month while he went out and lived in Dubai.

The reality TV star also does multiple personal appearances and following his Love Island stint he was reported to make £250,000 from club appearances.

How did Joey Essex get so famous? An inside look into his career

Joey’s career began when he was cast on The Only Way Is Essex.

His part was as a secondary cast member in season two, but he made such a bang he joined the main cast in season three. He quickly became famous for his catchphrase ‘reem’ which translates to ‘good’ or ‘cool’ and he became beloved by fans for his airheaded personality at times.

The reality star became so popular so quickly that in 2011 after his first year on the show, the cast of TOWIE released a single named ‘Reem.’

All up Joey spent three years from 2011 - 2013 appearing in over 109 episodes of the reality show before Joey quit.

At the time, the Essex man claimed he was pursuing other opportunities to which he had many, however in an interview with OK! In 2022, he said: "It's just not the show that it was when I first started, I don't even recognise it anymore."

“It's just a bit drama-less, there's not enough going on. I'm sure that if I ever did go back to the show I would bring back a lot of entertainment - and probably a lot more viewers if I'm honest."

After leaving TOWIE, Joey was immediately snapped by to do I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and that’s when the gigs kept coming and didn’t stop.

Since 2013, Joey has appeared on the following TV shows as himself:

• Day Break (2014)
• The Cube (2014)
• Viral Tap (2014)
• Weekend (2014)
• Tricked (2014)
• Education Joey Essex (2014)
• I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here NOW! (2013 - 2014)
• Sunday Brunch (2014)
• This Week (2015)
• World Championship Snooker (2015)
• 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (2014 - 2015)
• The Wright Stuff (2015)
• Safe Word (2015)
• Celebrity Benchmark (2015)

• Big Fat Quiz Of Everything (2016)
• The Jump (2016)
• It’s Not Rocket Science (2016)
• You’re Back In The Room (2016)
• Tonight At The London Palladium (2016)
• Britain’s Got More Talent (2015 - 2016)
• It’s Not Me, It’s You (2016)
• Lorraine (2016)
• Off Their Rockers (2016)
• 8 Out Of 10 Cats (2011 - 2016)
• Big Fat Quiz Of Everything (2017)
• Virtually Famous (2015 - 2017)
• The Chris Ramsey Show (2017)
• Innuendo Bingo (2017)
• The Crystal Maze (2017)
• Celebrity Chase (2017)
• Five Star Hotel (2018)
• Lip Sync Battle UK (2018)
• Celebrity First Dates (2018)
• What Would Your Kid Do (2018)
• Through The Keyhole (2013 - 2019)
• Hey Tracey! (2019)
• MTV Cribs (2019)
• I’m A Celebrity… Surviving The Jungle (2019)
• Ant And Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (2014 - 2020)
• Celebrity Ex On A Beach (2020)
• Home Alone With Joel Dommet (2020)
• This Morning (2011 - 2020)
• Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Win (2020)
• All Star Happy Hour With Mo Gilligan (2020)
• The Only Way Is Essex: All Back To Essex (2020)
• Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (2020)
• Loose Women (2011 - 2020)
• Celebs Go Dating (2016 - 2021)
• Piers Morgan’s Life Stories (2021)
• Joey Essex: Who Am I? (2021)
• The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan (2021)
• CelebAbility (2017 - 2021)
• The Wheel (2020 - 2021)
• Celebrity Masterchef (2019 - 2021)
• I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here Australia (2022)
• Celebrity Help: My House Is Haunted (2022)
• All Star Shore (2022)
• Blankety Blank (2022)
• Celebrity Juice (2012 - 2022)
• Dancing On Ice (2023)
• Shopping With Keith Lemon (2023)
• Micheal McIntye’s Big Show (2018 - 2024)
• The Weakest Link (2024)
• Love Island (2024)
• Selling Sunset (2024)

With a resume like that, it certainly seems like the man has been in almost every variation of reality TV this nation has to offer and suddenly it makes sense why he’s as famous - and rich - as he is.

Listen live to Capital, and catch up on any shows you missed, on Global Player.