The ballroom is officially reopening. ABC’s Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) has confirmed its host and judging lineups for the landmark 35th season, setting the stage for another high-energy competition.
The Return of the Judges and a Fresh Face
During a Good Morning America broadcast, the network announced that fan-favorite judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli are all returning to the panel. Co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro will also be back to anchor the live shows.
While online speculation pointed to Shirley Ballas potentially joining the judges' table, she was not part of the official announcement. However, the show is introducing a highly anticipated new professional dancer: Adele Zaikman. The Blackpool Dance Festival champion earned her spot on the main show after winning the spin-off competition DWTS: The Next Pro.
The full celebrity cast—which already includes Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, Jackson Olson, and Guillermo Rodriguez—will be finalized alongside their professional partners on September 2.
Behind the Scenes: What Do the Dancers Earn?
While the glitter and glamour dominate the screen, the financial mechanics of the ballroom are equally fascinating. Although ABC does not publicly comment on salaries, past contestants and pros have pulled back the curtain:
- The Celebrities: Historically, stars receive a starting base of around $125,000 for rehearsals and the initial two weeks. If they survive elimination, their pay scales up weekly. Former winner Bobby Bones revealed he pocketed close to $400,000 during his season 27 run.
- The Pros: Dancers are paid for every week they remain in the competition, with an additional financial bonus awarded for reaching the finale. However, winning the mirrorball trophy does not come with a massive cash prize—only the iconic trophy.
- The Troupe: Demotions hurt the wallet. Former pro Lindsay Arnold previously shared that transitioning from a lead pro to a troupe member slashed her salary by more than half.
Secret Pairings and No Days Off
Getting paired up is entirely out of the dancers' hands. Pros are given zero input regarding their celebrity partners. Executive producers match couples based on height, build, and personality, keeping the pairings strictly confidential until they meet live on camera for a genuine reaction.
Once paired, the workload is intense. Couples rehearse for four hours daily, six days a week, leaving virtually no downtime before the live Tuesday night broadcasts. Costume designers also work on a breakneck schedule, typically having just five days to construct and customize every single outfit before showtime.
