Originally appeared on E! Online
“Dancing With the Stars” is no waltz in the park.
Robert Irwin and his pro partner Witney Carson took home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy during the Season 34 finale on Nov. 25, making him and sister Bindi Irwin the first siblings to win the series.
And what a journey it has been for 21-year-old. After all, Irwin and the rest of the “DWTS” cast logged in countless hours of rigorous rehearsals.
So, exactly how much do they practice before performing in the ballroom?
“Every day we have four-hour rehearsals,” Rylee Arnold, who was partnered with Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying this season, revealed during a 2024 episode of the Lightweights Podcast. “It’s either 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.”
It’s no wonder why the competition has become so fierce. As judge Derek Hough recently shared in an E! News interview, “It has exploded.”
READ: Why Derek Hough Calls Dancing with the Stars the “Little Engine That Could”
Even Alix Earle’s dance background didn’t completely prepare her for what was to come. In fact, she told E! in September, “I’m so out of my comfort zone doing this stuff.”
“It’s a little intimidating if you start to look at everyone else because everyone is really, really amazing,” the TikToker continued. “But it also makes it a really fun season because I’m feeling so much pressure and I’m like, ‘I have to work overtime to keep up with everyone.'”
And despite his sister Bindi Irwin winning “DWTS” in 2015, winner Irwin said training for the show still “blew away every single expectation I ever had.”
“The fact that you’re competing against actual dancers and you’re keeping up and you’re at the top is really cool,” he told E! in a September interview. “That is a testament to how hard you worked.”
How much do the celebrities get paid to be on “Dancing With the Stars?”
Citing multiple sources, Variety reported in 2019 that “Dancing With the Stars” contestants make $125,000 for the rehearsal period and first two weeks of the show. If they progress beyond that point, the outlet continued, they earn more money each week. At the time, sources told the publication stars could earn a maximum of $295,000.
However, Bobby Bones said he made more than this when he won Season 27 with Sharna Burgess in 2018.
“That show pays OK,” the radio personality said on a September 2025 episode of Jason Tartick’s podcast “Trading Secrets.” “Like, first episode, no money. Second episode, $10,000. I think it’s like, $10,000, $10,000, $20,000, $20,000. It ends up being $50,000 an episode if you last.”
Also receiving a base salary of around $110,000, Bones continued, “I ended up making close to $400,000 from that show.”
ABC has not publicly confirmed any of these figures.
Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images
Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images DANCING WITH THE STARS – “Finale”- Capping off a record-breaking season, the finale episode sees the five remaining couples competing for a chance at winning the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
What do the pros get paid on “Dancing With the Stars?”
Similarly, little has been shared publicly about how much the pros get paid. But as with the contestants, it seems like the longer they’re on the show, the more money they can make.
But even if a pro is eliminated in the first round, they’re not leaving the ballroom empty-handed.
“You’re guaranteed until a certain amount of weeks,” Jenna Johnson said on a June 2025 episode of Kelly Stafford and Hank Winchester’s podcast “The Morning After.” “I think there’s different contracts though. I can’t speak for everybody.”
Do pros get paid more if they win “Dancing With the Stars?”
Apparently not.
While Johnson — who won Season 26 with Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, as well as Season 33 with “The Bachelor’s” Joey Graziadei — says the pros don’t get a larger paycheck if they take home what is now called the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, she noted there’s still an incentive to make it to the finale (besides bragging rights, of course).
“If you make it all the way to the end, you’re getting paid the whole season, which is amazing, and you get a bonus on top of that for making it to the finale,” she explained on “The Morning After.” “If you win, it’s not like you win a $1 million and split it with your partner. You’re just getting a cute trophy together.”
Alix Earle is ready to hit the ballroom! Access Hollywood Digital’s Guest Correspondent Lauren Herbert chatted with the influencer at the AMA’s red carpet ahead of her presenting during the award show. Speaking to Access, the 24-year-old shared her excitement on joining the upcoming season of “Dancing with The Stars.”
