Key takeaways:
– The 33rd season of Dancing with the Stars features a mix of celebrities including reality TV contestants, actors, models, and even Olympians.
– Contestants reportedly earn a base salary of $125,000, with the chance to earn up to $295,000 throughout the season.
– The salaries of the show’s hosts range from $150,000 per episode, earning between $1.5 to $1.8 million per season.
– Dance Pros reportedly earn up to $100,000 per season, which is still less compared to the celebrities’ salary.
– Judges of the show used to earn $250,000 per season, while currently, their salary is reportedly $1.2 million per season.
Waltzing into the 33rd Dancing with the Stars Season
The stage is set ablaze with a new set of stars on the 33rd season of the much-acclaimed show ‘Dancing with the Stars’. The curtain lifted in September, unveiling celebrity contestants ranging from reality TV contestants, actors, models, Olympians to the more unpredictable candidate – con artist Anna Delvey. The star-studded season seems to be twirling on the right rhythm so far.
The Story Behind Dancing with the Stars
Since 2005, the televisions and hearts of audiences have been set ablaze with the fiery performances of Dancing with the Stars. Each season pairs celebrities with professional dancers and they showcase their mastered routines for several weeks. The adrenaline rush is high as only one pair will sashay away with the Mirrorball Trophy.
How Things Unfold on this Dance-Drama Show
This captivating reality TV show airs on ABC and is streamed on Disney Plus and Hulu subsequently. With each passing week, a new performance by the paired celebrity and their professional dancer keeps the audience engaged. Every practice session polished over weeks shapes up into a power-packed performance. The victorious couple at the end of the season is crowned with the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The scoring system involves three judges rating the performances from 0.5 to 10 each week. Hence, a pair can bag up to 30 points for each performance. Simultaneously, public votes seal the fate of the top performers each week. The survival of teams on the show is a blend of the judges’ scores and audience votes.
Earnings of the Twirling Celebrities
The invaluable experience, victory thrill, and the trophy are just part of the charm. For the effort and time stars put into the show, attractive compensation is part of the deal. Diverse celebrities like Zendaya, Eric Roberts, Pamela Anderson, and more have graced the stage in the past. These emerging and established stars all earn a base salary of $125,000, covering rehearsals for the initial weeks and up to the second week of the season. Advancing beyond two weeks unfolds additional perks. For the third and fourth week each, the star earns an extra $10,000. The fifth week uplifts their earnings by another $15,000.
Weeks six and seven bring home $20,000 each and eight and nine add a whopping $30,000 per week. The semi-finalists and finalists are on a roll with an additional $50,000 in their kitty plus the mirror ball trophy for the conqueror. However, a cap of $295,000 on the total earnings for a celebrity contestant in the season exists.
In the Spotlight: Hosts of Dancing with the Stars
Julianne Hough and Alfonso Rebeiro have been the co-hosts of the dignified stage of Dancing with the Stars since 2023. The precise salaries of the current hosts remain undisclosed.
Cheer for the Dance Pros
While gracing the stage and wowing audiences with their skills, the fantastic dance professionals don’t earn as much as their celebrity partners. The base salary for a first-time pro is $1,200 per week. Experienced professionals reportedly earn around $5,200 per week, taking home up to $100,000 per season, which is still a significant sum.
Judges’ Earnings: The Hard-Earned Scores
While celebrities bag the highest earnings, the judges of the show also secure sizeable paychecks. The original judges, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, have stuck with the show for all of its 33 seasons. After Len Goodman’s tenure until his death in 2023, star dancer Derek Hough since season 29, joined the judges panel. Judges once earned $250,000 per season, with an increase over the years to an impressive $1.2 million per season. However, the current salaries remain veiled.
In conclusion, the iconic reality TV show, Dancing with the Stars, blends jaw-dropping performances, glitzy costumes, and thrilling competitions. With the anticipation of who will leave with the mirror ball trophy, the behind-the-scenes tales of juicy salaries and payouts add another fun layer to the process.
About Dancing with the Stars:
Dancing with the Stars: America’s Beloved Dance Competition
Dancing with the Stars is a cherished American dance competition television series that premiered on ABC on June 1, 2005. As the U.S. adaptation of the British show Strictly Come Dancing, it has become a standout in the global Dancing with the Stars franchise. The show pairs celebrities from various backgrounds with professional ballroom dancers, creating captivating performances that blend fame with finesse.
The Competition Format
Each season, celebrity contestants are matched with professional dancers to learn and perform choreographed routines spanning a variety of dance styles. These couples compete weekly, showcasing their skills in front of a panel of judges and a live audience. Judges provide scores based on technique, performance, and improvement, while viewers contribute through audience votes. Typically, the couple with the lowest combined score of judges’ points and audience votes is eliminated each week, leading up to a finale where the champion dance pair is crowned.
Hosts and Judges Over the Years
•Hosts: The show was originally hosted by Tom Bergeron, who became a familiar face for viewers during his tenure from 2005 to 2019. Throughout the seasons, co-hosts have included Lisa Canning, Samantha Harris, Brooke Burke-Charvet, Erin Andrews, Tyra Banks, and Alfonso Ribeiro. As of 2023, Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough share hosting duties, bringing their charisma and experience to the ballroom.
•Judges: The judging panel has featured esteemed personalities like Len Goodman, who served as the head judge, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli. Julianne Hough, a former professional dancer on the show, joined as a judge for several seasons. Derek Hough, her brother and a celebrated dancer, also joined the judges’ table, especially notable when Len Goodman faced travel restrictions.
Notable Transitions
•Platform Shift: In April 2022, it was announced that Dancing with the Stars would move from ABC to the streaming platform Disney+ starting with its 31st season. This marked a significant shift as the show embraced the evolving landscape of television viewership.
•Simultaneous Streaming: By May 2023, the series expanded its reach by streaming live on both ABC and Disney+ for its 32nd season, allowing more fans to enjoy the performances in real-time.
•Honoring Len Goodman: The show paid tribute to longtime head judge Len Goodman by renaming the iconic Mirrorball Trophy in his honor beginning with season 32, celebrating his immense contribution to the series.
Legacy and Impact
Dancing with the Stars has not only entertained millions but has also introduced audiences to the elegance of ballroom dancing. The show’s unique blend of celebrity appeal and competitive dance has made it a cultural phenomenon, inspiring international versions and leaving a lasting imprint on reality television.
Behind the Scenes of ‘Dancing with the Stars’: Payments and Withdrawals
Dancing with the Stars has dazzled audiences since its premiere in 2005, pairing celebrities with professional dancers in a thrilling competition of rhythm and grace. While viewers are captivated by the performances, there’s a lot that happens off the dance floor, especially when it comes to contestant payments and unexpected withdrawals. Let’s delve into some of the intriguing stories that have unfolded behind the scenes.
Contestant Payments
Competing on Dancing with the Stars isn’t just about the glory of the Mirrorball Trophy; it also comes with financial incentives:
• Beth Stern’s Revelation: On an April 18, 2006 episode of The Howard Stern Radio Show, Beth Stern (wife of Howard Stern) disclosed that she was guaranteed $125,000 just for appearing on the show in its third season. Moreover, her earnings could more than double depending on how long she stayed in the competition. This structure provides celebrities with a significant financial motivation to put their best foot forward each week.
• Bindi Irwin’s Legal Hurdle: In season 21, Bindi Irwin faced a unique challenge. Being a minor at the time, her contract required signatures from both parents. While her mother, Terri Irwin, signed off, her father, the late Steve Irwin, had tragically passed away in 2006. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge initially withheld her payments because Steve’s signature was missing. It wasn’t until Bindi’s legal team presented her father’s death certificate that the court validated her contract, allowing her to receive her $350,000 paycheck.
Notable Withdrawals
Over the years, several contestants have had to leave the show prematurely due to various reasons:
• Romeo Miller: Initially slated to compete in season 2, Romeo withdrew before the season began, and his father, Master P, took his place. Romeo later joined the show in season 12, finishing in 5th place with partner Chelsie Hightower.
• Sara Evans: The country singer exited the competition during season 3 to focus on her divorce proceedings. As a result, there was no elimination that week.
• Vincent Pastore: Cast for season 4, Pastore left after realizing the physical demands were too intense. He was replaced by John Ratzenberger.
• Misty May-Treanor: The Olympic volleyball champion withdrew in season 7 after rupturing her Achilles tendon during rehearsal.
• Jewel and Nancy O’Dell: Both were set to compete in season 8 but had to withdraw due to injuries before the season started. They were replaced by Holly Madison and Melissa Rycroft.
• Tom DeLay: The former U.S. House Majority Leader left in season 9 due to stress fractures in both feet.
• Billy Dee Williams: The actor bowed out in season 18 on doctor’s orders because of a chronic back problem.
• Kim Zolciak-Biermann: The reality TV star left in season 21 after a mini-stroke caused by a blood clot.
• Tamar Braxton: Also in season 21, she withdrew due to blood clots in her lungs, marking the first season with two celebrity withdrawals.
• Christie Brinkley: In season 28, Brinkley injured her arm during rehearsals. Her daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Cook, stepped in with only days to prepare.
• Ray Lewis: The former NFL linebacker exited in season 28 due to a foot injury requiring surgery.
• Jeannie Mai: The television host left in season 29 after being hospitalized for epiglottitis.
• Selma Blair: In season 31, the actress withdrew to prevent further complications from multiple sclerosis, even after earning the season’s first perfect score.
These departures often led to adjustments in the show’s format, including canceled eliminations or the introduction of new contestants to keep the competition lively.
A Glimpse Into the Future
Despite the unforeseen challenges and dramatic exits, Dancing with the Stars continues to enchant viewers with its blend of celebrity charm and dazzling dance routines. The show’s ability to adapt and the contestants’ determination showcase the resilience and passion that keep fans tuning in season after season.
Whether it’s overcoming personal hurdles or captivating the audience with a perfect paso doble, the celebrities and professionals on Dancing with the Stars remind us that the journey is just as important as the destination. As the ballroom lights continue to shine, we can look forward to more memorable moments and inspiring stories in the seasons to come.
