She may not have had to shell out any money for THIS album, but she did two solo albums produced by herself. If you think people invested in that, you're a fool. She had to pay for the studio and everyone that helped on those albums. People don't work for free. Psych did alright, and maybe she at least got her money back, but I imagine UEDS was a big loss for her.
We don't know the details of her contract, but big recording companies sign an artist hoping to at least make a profit. It doesn't matter how much they make in a year, investors care about PROFIT, period. They've invested time and money into her album and promotion, and if the numbers don't go up, they will drop her.
Now, I think she made a pretty good amount of money working with Mylene, but why would someone like Alizee waste her time and money making CDs if no one will sign her? It would be a waste if there is no profit involved.
Here's a little perspective:
