Dancing With the Stars Season 35: First Celebrity Contestants Revealed
E! News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Dancing With the Stars contestants reportedly earn $125,000 for rehearsals and the first two weeks, with potential to make up to $295,000 if they progress further; Bobby Bones claimed to have made close to $400,000 after winning season 27.
- Professional dancers receive a base salary around $110,000 and earn more the longer they stay on the show, with bonuses for reaching the finale, though winning does not result in a large cash prize.
- Pros have little to no input in partner selection, which is kept secret until the live meeting, with pairings based on height, build, personality, and compatibility to ensure a positive working relationship.
- The rehearsal schedule is intense, often involving four-hour daily sessions, additional meetings with producers, choreography work, and study, making it a full-time commitment with no days off during the competition.
- Costume design is a fast-paced, large-scale operation with custom outfits created weekly, typically finalized just hours before showtime, emphasizing freshness and uniqueness for each performance.
