Monday night will see the return of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” Before viewers watch 13 celebrities and their partners try to twirl their way to first-place, it’s worth noting the contestants are battling for more than just the Mirror Ball trophy: they’re also in it for the money.

Those who agree to compete on “Dancing With the Stars” are not just promised the glory of being on ABC’s hit series, they’re also paid quite handsomely. While the network has not released specific salary details for this year’s contestants like model Amber Rose and Olympian Ryan Lochte, past stars’ salaries are well-known.

Most recently, a copy of one unnamed Season 22 celebrity contestant’s offer letter was released to Radar Online, revealing he/she was offered a base salary of $125,000. Season 21 winner Bindi Irwin’s salary for the show shared similar findings. After a judge rejected her minor’s contract in November 2015, TMZ reported she was promised $125,000 for agreeing to participate on the program, with additional bonuses for each week she remained. At the time of the contract hiccup, Bindi was due $230,000 by the network, and that was before the finale.

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In 2010, Gawker discovered “DWTS” contestants are paid on a sliding scale, though it remains unclear if that is the case for the Season 23 cast. After earning the signing bonus, it was reported that each star was given $10,000 for staying on for weeks 3 and 4, $20,000 for weeks 5 and 6, and $30,000 for weeks 7 and 8. If the contestants are lucky enough not to get eliminated before the finale, they will earn $50,000 for appearing in the final two installments.

This pay scale means the winner doesn’t get paid more than any of the other two finalists, with all three earning $345,000. In less, of course, you count getting that sparkly Mirror Ball trophy and 15 minutes of extended limelight as a payday.
Season 23 of “Dancing With the Stars” begins Monday. Fans can tune in to the toe-tapping premiere episode at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC. Check out a rundown of the full 2016 cast here and tell us your winner predictions in the comments section below!

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