Everyone loves the glitz and glamour of Dancing with the Stars, where celebrities twirl, spin, and samba their way toward the coveted mirrorball trophy. But what if winning the champion title doesn’t actually come with a hefty payday? Recently, one of the show’s seasoned professional dancers hinted in an interview that the financial rewards for the winners might be far less impressive than fans expect.
Jenna Johnson, a professional dancer and choreographer, claimed victory alongside Bachelor alum Joey Graziadei in the most recent season of the dance competition series, Dancing with the Stars season 33. In a new podcast interview for The Morning After with co-hosts Kelly Stafford and Hank Winchester, Johnson opened up about the surprising realities behind the show’s payment structure.
Unlike what most people think about Dancing with the Stars, Johnson revealed that winning the competition doesn’t actually come with a bigger paycheck. Instead, competitors are paid based on how long they stay in the competition, with a bonus for reaching the finale. But there's no extra cash prize for the champions themselves. She tells Stafford and Winchester that all the winners get is a "cute trophy together." Fans would know she's referring to the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
"So 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."
This information might come as a shock to most people, who assume the glamorous win also means a big financial reward. However, on DWTS, it seems the true prize is the prestige and exposure, not the paycheck. For some competitors, this recognition can open doors to new opportunities, sponsorships, and fan followings that can significantly boost their careers.
They might capitalize on their increased visibility to secure brand partnerships, expand their social media presence, or transition into other entertainment fields. In other words, while the financial rewards may be limited for the winners, the real payoff comes from the doors that Dancing with the Stars can open.
Besides winning Dancing with the Stars season 33, Johnson was also crowned champion of the show's twenty-sixth season with Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon. That season featured a cast made up of current and former athletes. Hopefully, we get to see Johnson take the stage again in a future season.
Dancing with the Stars was renewed for a thirty-fourth season back in April 2025. Alfonso Ribeiro is set to return as the season’s host, with former pro dancer and judge Julianne Hough rejoining as co-host. The new season will premiere this fall with new episodes airing on Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT. Once ABC announces the official premiere date, we'll be sure to share this juicy information right away.