PureDWTS Ask Court – How Do the Pros’ Contracts Work?
So we’ve been getting some questions on Twitter about how the pros’ contracts work – some of you were concerned about some of your faves leaving the show in the coming seasons, when their initial contract expires; others were just curious how the contracts work. So here’s our best guess – keep in mind that contract negotiations in the biz are usually kept pretty hush-hush, for obvious reasons, so we don’t know exactly what’s written into each pro’s contract; this is just our best, educated guess based on what we’ve heard from people behind-the-scenes, what we’ve watched unfold, and what the pros themselves have said. Consider that your disclaimer 😉
How long are the pros’ contracts? From what we’ve been able to cobble from interviews the pros have done and intel we have from other sources at the show, it seems like the initial contract (the one the pros get when they first sign onto DWTS) is anywhere between 5-7 seasons (or 2.5-3.5 years), with a possible option to renegotiate after they’ve completed one year of their contract. After their initial contract expires, it seems as though subsequent contracts are pretty open-ended – pros like Derek, Cheryl, & Kym seem like they’ve been able to negotiate on a season-by-season basis; other pros, like Lacey, appear to have gotten dropped from the roster and not offered a contract extension after their initial contract expired. Some of the one-and-done pros (think of the Jesse DeSoto’s, the Inna Brayer’s, the Tyne Stecklein’s, and the Andrea Hale’s of DWTS) likely were released from their contacts after only one season, when the producers were sure they weren’t going to use them again.
What does being “on contract” at DWTS entail? While being “on contract” certainly improves a pro’s odds of getting a partner each season, it’s not a guarantee; the only thing being on contract really means within the context of DWTS is that the show gets first dibs on you each season, and can use you for whatever purpose is within the scope of your contract – in this case, they can use you as a pro on the show, they can put you in the troupe, they can bench you for a season (and let you pursue other opportunities within that time frame, within reason), they can send you out on tour, they can send you to the (now defunct) Vegas show, they can send you out on one of the DWTS cruises, they can tap you for pro dances/bumpers, whatever. And as Lacey stated in an interview with Kristyn – you only get paid if they actually use you. But let’s say, like Sasha, you aren’t guaranteed a pro spot from season to season, and may alternate going back and forth from pro to troupe – the clock doesn’t stop on your contract, and you’re still burning up seasons on your contract whether you’re a pro, in the troupe, or not on the show at all. From what I can tell, TPTB can also veto any outside gigs you take if it puts you in direct competition with the network (although this seems to vary from pro to pro – more on that later); so even though you’re getting paid (relatively) well when you are working for DWTS, there’s no guarantee you’ll be working from season to season, and they may also say “nope” to any outside jobs you try to take when you’re not working for them. This sort of exclusivity was ultimately the deal-breaker for a friend of mine who auditioned to be a pro back in 2009 – he had regular students back at his home dance studio, and couldn’t really wait till the last minute before each season to tell them whether he’d actually be around to teach them, and didn’t like the idea of having to “clear” any outside teaching/choreographing he was doing with ABC.
Do all the pros have the same contract? Definitely not. At this point, some pros (i.e. Mark, Cheryl, Peta, Val, & Maks) have finished their initial contract and are likely negotiating from season to season or have shorter (perhaps year-long) contracts, and probably have more weight to throw around in terms of pay demands and special privileges; other pros still have a bit of time left on their initial contracts (if I had to guess, I think Sharna, Emma, Sasha, Lindsay, & perhaps Witney) and are probably going to be coming up on contract renegotiation time within the next season or two; the newbs (Alan & Jenna) still have a way to go on their initial contract and probably aren’t going to be renegotiating anytime soon. So those are the differences in terms of length; we have noticed other differences in terms of privileges, though. Back when Julianne was still in her initial contract, she was offered a TV pilot, which TPTB nixed fairly quickly (I’m guessing it was on a rival network); however, Derek was offered a movie role (Make Your Move 3D) in the middle of his initial contract, and was allowed to take a season off to go film it (likely because the studio doing the movie wasn’t in direct competition with Disney, and Derek was the only 3-time MBT-holder and potential Emmy-winner at the time – so he had a bit more clout). Another interesting contractual “thing” we’ve noticed: Val, Mark, Emma, & Sasha have all been allowed to choreograph in the off-season for SYTYCD – but Derek was always prohibited from doing so. Our guess is that the higher-ups at DWTS probably saw him as a potential Emmy-generator, and didn’t want to run the risk of his choreography earning a potential Emmy nod for SYTYCD – so it may have been written into his contract that he was not permitted to choreograph for shows on rival networks. Since all of these negotiations happen behind closed doors and efforts are made to keep their terms confidential – we have no idea what could potentially be written into the pros contracts; but based on what we’ve seen, it’s a safe bet that not all contract are created equal.
Have the contracts changed at all over the years? Most likely yes. I’m guessing all of the season 1 pros (Alec, Charlotte, Edyta, Louis, Jonathan, & Ashly) were probably only given contracts for that season, given that the network didn’t know if the show would catch on or not; once it was renewed for a second season, though, I’d guess that the pros that returned (everyone except Charlotte) were probably given longer, more exclusive contracts. By the time Mark & Derek signed on in season 5, and it was clear the network had a hit with some longevity on its hands, the contracts probably got even more exclusive, as DWTS likely wanted to lock down their talent. I would guess at this point, the standard initial contract for new pros is probably pretty rigid & non-negotiable – so the newest pros, like Jenna & Alan, probably don’t have a ton of wiggle room until their initial contract expires.
If a pro’s contract is about to expire, does that mean they’re leaving the show??? Not necessarily. All an expiring contract really means is that a pro now has an opportunity to renegotiate their pay, the terms of their employment, the length of subsequent contracts, etc. It’s a good thing, usually 🙂 And it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to jump ship. Just look at Derek – his initial contract expired several years ago (we’re guessing around season 15), and we still got 7 more seasons out of him before he finally hung up his dance shoes for good. I know some of you were worried about Sharna, whose contract I’m guessing is expiring after this coming season (season 27) – based on what we’ve seen of other pros whose initial contracts have expired, unless they haven’t used a pro in a few seasons (I think of Allison, who we haven’t seen since season 23; or Lacey’s last few seasons on DWTS, when she was pretty much on-the-bubble as a pro from season to season), I doubt they’re going to suddenly opt not to pick them back up during contract re-negotiations, unless a pro really starts making unreasonable demands or opts not to return on their own accord. And that’s something I think a lot of fans lose track of: eventually, the pros are likely to get offered new opportunities for growth in their careers, and are going to outgrow the capacity they have on DWTS…yes, if they’re your favorite, it’s sad to see them go, but if you’re a true fan, you understand that they can’t stick around forever and will eventually need to move on…which is often a good thing 🙂
Any other questions/thoughts about the contracts? Leave ’em below and we’ll try to answer them.
Are there separate contracts for troupe members? Or is it the same and it just carries over when they become a pro. So like take Hayley for example, she’s done 6 seasons as a troupe member so far, if she becomes a pro next season, would she start a new contract?
@Zoe – That’s more of a murky area – if I had to guess, if a troupe member gets upgraded to pro, they probably sign a new contract; but if they’re downgraded from pro to troupe, it probably still counts on their pro contract. For example, when Sharna, Emma, & Sasha all got upgraded to “pro” in seasons 16/17, I think they likely signed a new contract; but when Lindsay was cast as a pro in season 16 and then got downgraded to troupe in season 17, she likely didn’t sign a new contract, and those seasons spent in the troupe probably counted towards her 7 season initial pro contract. That’s just me guessing, though.
Thank you, Court, for putting together this post! It’s very informative and has answered just about every question I’ve had.
I have a question. Is it true that all of the producers give special treatment to the male pro’s that they think are hotter or has the best body and that’s why viewers vote for who those pros are paired with? Because from what I have heard in the past, one of the reasons that Mark Ballas was always the one that was part of a “shocking elimination” is because he was not popular with the producers and the viewers and also because he was not as “hot” or as “sexy” as someone like Val. I’m just saying what I’ve heard.
Well done, Court! I love this!!!
@H1994/aka CH – That’s not a thing. That is nonsense, and you trying to justify “your boy Mark” not making it as far as you thought he deserved to. Keep it moving.
WOW very informative!! So in the case of somebody like Chelsea Hightower who was on the show, like Lacey, for a few seasons-her contract expired and basically she wasn’t asked to come back or like renew it?
I’m also curious about somebody like Karina Smirnoff who was a definite fan favorite on the show and who was on for a number of seasons-she chose to not renew or extend her contract I guess? But now what if, in the future, she wanted to come back?
Or even somebody like Tony Dovolani? He keeps doing things related to DWTS like the cruises???? so that means he’s still on contract?
I’m just being curious LOL
Although I think Mark has been treated well, Val was given a few hugely popular celebrities that in my opinion increased his profile and has given him a lot of pull on that show. Zendaya did wonders for his popularity on the show. Didn’t hurt that he came in on his brother’s coattails either.
I think some of the current pros’ fans have been worried because it’s been a while since there was a pro shake up so there’s been some speculation if that could happen soon.
I kind of wonder if there was some sort of overhaul that happened after All Stars. They seemed to be done with the pros that had not won up until that point, except Maks and Val. After that season Louis, Anna, and Chelsie were dropped from the pro roster. Tristan hadn’t been a pro for as long at that point, but I think it was shortly after that they sent him over to Strictly. For 16/17 it seemed like they were testing out new pros, but some of them didn’t stick for whatever reason so they continued to try out new pros in 18/19. Besides the early seasons, I don’t think the show ever went through as many changes in dancers as it did in 2013-14.
Personally I can’t see too much changing any time soon. They seem to be comfortable keeping a similar roster from season to season with the only changes being the occasional troupe promotion or a past MBT-winning pro coming back. It’s probably easier for them to keep using their contracted dancers than to find all these new dancers or negotiate with past pros.
Thank you for the post.
I don’t disagree, Rose, but I think the argument H1994 was trying to make was that Val got special treatment because he was “hotter”. Which I think is a tad ridiculous and not really a “thing”.
@Anonymous – If you watch Kristyn’s interview with Lacey (the link is in the post), Lacey brings up how she really didn’t like the “L.A. lifestyle” and Kristyn brought up that Chelsie said something similar in her interview (I haven’t had a chance to watch Kristyn’s interview w/Chelsie, but it could be worthwhile). My guess is that neither of them were all that disappointed to not be returning to DWTS – whether it was their own call or someone else’s. I will say that Lacey had a bit of a reputation as a “rebel” on DWTS, and was pretty vocally critical of the show after season 10 (particularly about the casting of Nicole), so my guess is that she probably burned a few bridges that resulted in TPTB opting not to renew her contract…the last few seasons she was on, she either got benched (season 10), told she wouldn’t be used and only got brought in after another pro quit unexpectedly (season 11, with Kyle), was an early out with a dud partner (season 12, with Mike Catherwood), or got saddled with the “controversial” partner of the season (season 13, with Chaz). It was almost as if she was getting phased out. As for Chelsie – I always got the impression that she was a little too reserved for DWTS, and never fulfilled the mantle of being the “new Julianne” like they seemed to hope she’d be. It’s interesting to note that her tenure on DWTS was exactly 7 seasons (season 8-season 15, with her sitting out season 13), and immediately after her contract ended, they brought Lindsay on as a pro.
As for Karina – I think she likely just opted not to renew, and is maybe open to returning on season-by-season basis, IF her schedule is clear. She seems to have returned to the professional competition world, with doing exhibition performances and judging, which is pretty lucrative and a lot less taxing than being a pro on DWTS.
Tony…probably just got put out to pasture, for lack of a better term. While Tony was still in great shape for his age, a 42-year-old just doesn’t have the energy or resilience that a 20-something does; plus Artem & Keo seemed to take over the role of “the one that gets the old ladies”, so they just didn’t really need Tony anymore. FWIW, though – I still think Tony is the best lifter they’ve ever had on the show. Wish he’d come back and teach some of these other pros proper technique. And Tony was always very patient with his partners, even if they were really struggling.
@MRP – Something to keep in mind about the “pro shakeup” after All-Stars: the All-Star season was actually a failure for ABC, ratings-wise, and it just happened to align with several pros’ contracts expiring. Yes, they were probably trying to “freshen up” the show at that point, but the pros you mention getting dropped seemed to never really catch on, anyway – Chelsie was pretty reserved, as I mentioned above; Louis could just be really off-putting; Anna came across chilly, and I don’t know that Tristan really ever adapted to teaching/choreographing (I remember him being pretty vocal in interviews about hating being a choreographer, in particular). Neither of the four was really remembered for having a huge impact on the show, in the grand scheme of things.
I doubt the show is going to be doing a ton of pro shakeups anytime soon – if anything, the pros are one aspect they probably want to keep as consistent as possible, especially with the potential for format changes that could crop up if they nix the spring season, or experience more budget cuts in order to keep Katy Perry flush with cash she thinks she deserves.
#Courtney I do remember Lacey as the type who kinda did her own thing compared to the other pros LOL Shame that she was let go b/c I remember her as being a very talented dancer….
I do wonder what will happen, in the future, though now with 4 female married pros? Peta already got pregnant once-who knows if she’ll get pregnant again in the near future and I’m sure baby fever is bound to hit the other 3 female pros at some point-that’s a tricky situation LOL
Court, I’m not trying to justify anything. I’m just saying that that is what other viewers have told me on other websites. As much as I started to think that a couple of times, I then began to think that maybe that could not be the case. I do know one thing, Mark has had a great amount of success since leaving DWTS. He may not have the same amount of success as Derek, but his role in Jersey Boys and another upcoming role will further him even more. DWTS has been a great start for him to begin having success as a Broadway Actor and Pop Star (I say Pop Star because I think he has everything it takes to be just that!)…
H1994, sorry, but I don’t really care “what other viewers on other websites” have told you. And if you didn’t think it held any weight, why bring even bring it up here?
When are people going to learn that “other people said” means nothing and is purely anecdotal??
I feel like this might be a stretch and some probable guesswork, but do you think siblings on the show discuss their contracts with one another’? I’m asking about Maks and Val. I feel like Maks could’ve been involved with his brother’s contract. But that’s just a guess on my part.
Thanks for this post. I know a lot of it is speculation but its an interesting topic to think about. I had a thought about Allison who was always one of my favorite pros and I really enjoyed her would love to see her back but I know its unlikely. I noticed she has been doing a few hosting things for freeform. Since that’s under the ABC umbrella wondered if maybe that somehow was them honoring her initial contract since she didn’t really get that many seasons as a pro. She was on 4 seasons missing 22 because of her baby and then if the initial contract happened to be 7 season she would not have had her last two season. So as of now her contract would probably be up but maybe there was some sort of negotiation where she signed another contract maybe year to year to potentially be a pro but with a clause that if they didn’t have a pro spot for her they’d give her something else. Just a crazy crazy thought I’m totally speculating here.