Even though Dancing With The Stars has been on the air for 16 years, there are still aspects of the show that even longtime fans do not know about. With ABC just kicking off DWTS season 30, there are some fans who have been continued to tune into the show each and every season. In addition, the show has gained numerous new fans along the way. But no matter how long a viewer has been tuning into the beloved dancing competition, there are some facts about DWTS that even diehard fans may not know.
The milestone Dancing With The Stars season 30 kicked off just recently. The list of celebrities that are taking on the ballroom this season, as well as the list of professional dancers that would be returning to the show, were both announced in the weeks leading up to the premiere. And yet, the pairings of pros and celebs weren't announced until moments prior to their first dances on the show. Alas, DWTS season 30 is filled with reality stars, athletes, actors, singers, and influencers.
One of the most important parts of Dancing With The Stars is the pairing of pro dancers and celebs, which can make or break a season. But many fans might not realize that dancers don't have any say in those pairings. Per Us Weekly, the pairings are always made by production and are primarily based on factors such as height, build, and personality. There have been many great DWTS partnerships over the years, but there have also been a few not-so-great ones. While the stars and dancers are typically put together quite some time in advance, there can be changes made up until the premiere. In fact, some stars have actually dropped out of doing the show prior to the start of filming.
Over the years, many fans have wondered if the dancing couples get to pick the songs they perform on DWTS. Although they do have the ability to suggest songs, production also has the final say in music. Luckily, it always works out in the end. Since the pros and the stars put a ton of time and effort into the show, they do in fact get paid for it. As for a quick breakdown of the DWTS commissions, it differs depending on the amount of time spent on the show. A star can reportedly make anywhere between $125,000 to $295,000, while professional dancers reportedly make about $5,200 per episode, always depending on their seniority and likeability with the fans.
The most important behind-the-scenes secret on DWTS is the grueling rehearsal schedule. The stars are required to attend rehearsals numerous times a week with their pro partner in order to perfect their dance for each upcoming episode. Usually, the duos that make the most of this studio time tend to make it further in the competition. Currently, all the season 30 couples are working hard in the studio preparing for their next live performance. When those next fun performances come to an end, another couple will be eliminated from the dancing competition.
Dancing With The Stars airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
Source: Us Weekly