The latest Mirrorball Trophy recipients are Robert Irwin and his professional dance partner Witney Carson. But there are 33 other celebrities and their professional dance partners who have been crowned the winners of “Dancing with the Stars” and received their own trophies. The distinct design is sought after by those competing on the show, but how much is it really worth?
How Much Is the Mirrorball Trophy Worth?
Getty“The Bachelorette” star Kaitlyn Bristowe competed on DWTS Season 29 in 2020. She won the Mirrorball Trophy alongside professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev, and she revealed on the “Trading Secrets” podcast in April 2023 that her year was the “first year that they revamped” the Mirrorball Trophy.
She said they told her how much it cost them to make it, and that was $10,000. When asked how much she could sell it for, she replied, “You could pay me $1 million, I wouldn’t sell it.” It might be worth a lot of money, but for contestants, the trophy is priceless.
“Dancing with the Stars” production designer James Yarnell discussed the first Mirrorball Trophy in an interview with People in 2017. The first trophy was awarded in 2005 to actress and model Kelly Monaco and her professional dance partner, Alec Mazo. Yarnell revealed how a lot has changed, including the budget.
“The original one, the Kelly Monaco one, was literally part of a brass lamp and had it put on a wooden base with the mirrorball on it,” he said. “No matter how much we put into the trophy, how much we spend, it always has a $10 mirrorball on top.”
What Do DWTS Competitors Receive?
GettyCompeting on DWTS is an excellent opportunity for exposure for rising stars and social media influencers. It is also a way to fulfill a lifelong dream and learn a new skill. Many former celebrity contestants on the ABC dance competition have spoken about their time on the show with love and gratitude.
Winning is an incredible achievement, but it comes with no extra cash bonuses or big prizes like a car, house, or holiday. While this differs in many ways from other reality TV shows, the contestants are paid for their time on the show. How much they earn is a well-kept secret, but the starting salary for the celebs is $125,000, Variety reports. This number is believed to be negotiated much higher, depending on the celebrity. “Sources say that the maximum contestants can earn is $295,000,” Variety reports. The article is from 2019, and that number could have changed.
