DWTS Champion Reveals How Much Money He Made on the Show—And It Might Be More Than You Think
There have been hundreds of celebrities and pro dancers who have competed on “Dancing with the Stars” over the past 20 years, but very few have talked about the salary they received. The prize for the ABC ballroom competition is a glitzy mirrorball trophy, but participants are also given a stipend and bonuses for each week they remain on the show.
In a new interview, DWTS Season 27 champion Bobby Bones revealed what he earned for his 11-week run in the competition back in 2018. Bones and his pro partner Sharna Burgess beat Disney Channel star Milo Manheim and pro Witney Carson for the DWTS trophy that year.
Bobby Bones Made a Mid-Six Figure Salary on DWTS in 2018
If anyone is going to get a celeb to talk salary, it’s Jason Tartick of the Trading Secrets podcast. Bones appeared on “The Bachelorette” alum’s financial podcast on September 15 and revealed that DWTS paid “pretty good.”
He revealed that the base salary for signing on was about $110,000, and it went up from there.
“Like first episode, no [extra] money, second episode, $10,000. I think it’s like, $10,000, $10,000, $20,000—it ends up being $50,000 an episode, if you last,” Bones said. “So I ended up making like close to $400,000 from that show. So financially, pretty good.”
His appearance on the show also paved the way for other ventures, including a lucrative stint with the National Geographic Channel reality series “Breaking Bobby Bones.”
“What I was able to do and get from that was so much greater than the money that they were paying me,” he said of DWTS.
One DWTS Pro Teased Some Details About the Salary
Bones’ salary admission is higher than past estimates from outlets such as Variety. In 2019, the outlet reported that contestants were paid $125,000 for the rehearsal period and their first two weeks on the show, then more if they made it longer. But at that time, sources claimed that the maximum amount DWTS contestants could earn was $295,000.
Longtime “Dancing with the Stars” pro dancer Johnson told The Morning After podcast that while there was no cash prize for winning DWTS, “whoever makes it to the finale, you all get paid up until then.”
“And you do get a nice bonus,” she added.
Of the contestants who get voted out early, she added. “You’re guaranteed until a certain amount of weeks. …There’s different contracts.”
LUNA PUSHES BILL TO THE EDGE—HE'S FURIOUS, AND SHEILA AND LI'S EXPLOSIVE CLASH REACHES A BOILING POINT!
Friday, September 19, 2025: Today on The Bold and the Beautiful, Katie doubles down on her terrible advice, Bill offers Luna a chance to pay him back, and Will arrives at Electra's to shatter her heart.
Credit: CBS screenshot
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At Bill’s place, Luna picks her jaw up off the floor and proceeds to argue with him about having an abortion. He tells her to do the right thing for once in her life. “End the pregnancy!”
Bill doesn’t believe the positive test is real and manhandles her out of the room to take another one... or several.
Will Katie Give More Bad Advice?
In Forrester’s main office, Will paces and agonizes… what if Luna’s pregnant? He can’t be a father! Katie tries to calm him, but he moves on to having to break Electra’s heart. As we predicted, he fears she’ll never trust him again. Katie doubles down on the bad advice she gave her son previously by saying it could all be a lie. He doesn’t have to say anything to Electra! Will, undeterred, vows he’ll tell her everything tonight.
In her guesthouse, which looks suspiciously like the one Ridge and Taylor lived in, Electra sets a romantic dinner for two. Eric comes in and she tells her great uncle it’s a special night for her and Will (who she can trust with her whole heart). Oh, Electra, you have no idea!
Will We See a Glimpse of the Old Sheila?
At Il Giardino, Li’s filling Sheila in on what she already knows… Luna “tricked” Will into having sex with her. Bill dragged her off and Katie vowed she’ll pay the price. Sheila can’t hide her joy when Li tells her Luna is pregnant. Furious, Li realizes that Sheila knew Luna did this and hid it from her.
After Li lays into her for a few minutes, Sheila assures her that if Luna really is pregnant with his son’s child, Bill won’t want the baby born behind bars. Li isn’t surprised by Sheila’s take… she got her crazy from her. Sheila warns she hates that word… but she’ll let it slide just this once. She admits it: she can’t think of a better get out of jail free card than a Spencer baby.
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The Final Scenes
Back at Bill’s, he stares in horror at a whole line of positive pregnancy tests. Having regained the upper hand, Luna gloats. He gives her a look that’s nothing less than murderous as she waxes on about her and Will giving their baby a wonderful life. Spencer declares her certifiable… Will isn’t going to marry her! He hates her!
Luna’s sure Bill’s son will come around because of the baby. Bill doubts he’s even the father. Luna declares that Will is going to love the baby and her. Bill says his son only loves one woman… Electra Forrester. As Luna insists Will’s the father, Bill circles back to her getting an abortion. Reiterating that Will does not want her, Bill reminds Luna he once helped her… this is an opportunity for her to pay him back. “Let my son go. Give Will his life back… his future with Electra.”
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Still At Forrester, Katie continues trying to talk Will out of telling Electra, but when he insists it's the right thing to do, she apologizes for holding him back. She just wanted to keep him safe. Will knows he’s going to break his girlfriend's heart. Katie, crying, holds him.
Will arrives at Electra’s guesthouse looking glum. She appears looking all hopeful and asks if he’s OK. They express their love, and she gushes about how lucky she is that he’s all hers. Making special mention of his honesty, she goes on about his attributes and vows nothing and no one will take their future from them. Will wants that too, but gets choked up as he adds, “But… something happened. Something that you need to know about.”
New: B&B’s hurtling toward a *truly* disturbing twist
Next on The Bold and the Beautiful: Li accuses Sheila of siding with Luna. For a full sneak peek at the week ahead, check out our brand-new preview photo gallery for September 22-26 below.
