Robert Irwin has hit the ground running on Dancing With The Stars – and it seems the gig comes with a hefty pay out.
The 21-year-old conservationist wowed the judges with his high-scoring debut and could pocket a serious payday if he dances his way to the final.
According to Variety, every celebrity on the U.S. version of the show makes around $125,000 for the rehearsal period and their first two weeks on air.
From week three onwards, contestants earn more money each week they survive eliminations.
There is a cap, however. Variety reported in 2019 that the most one celebrity could take home was $295,000.
Former winner Kaitlyn Bristowe confirmed the pay structure on the Trading Secrets podcast.
“You get a bonus every week that you make it. The final four are in the final episode, they all get paid the same,” she explained.
“But your signing bonus, I think you can negotiate a bit, like, to sign to say you’re going on the show.”
The salary dwarfs that of the Australian edition, where the biggest stars earned $100,000 for the 2025 series. Others, including Mia Fevola, Harry Garside and Kyle Schilling, reportedly earned just $27,000.
Irwin’s strong start suggests he’s in line for one of the bigger paydays. On September 16, he and professional partner Witney Carson debuted with an action-packed jive to Born to Be Wild, earning him joint first place.
“Honestly, I am so relieved, because listen, you had some big shoes to fill with Bindi, but you just didn’t just steal them, you owned those shoes, my friend,” judge Derek Hough told him, referencing Robert’s sister Bindi, who won the show in 2015.
“That was the best first dance I have ever seen on the show.”
Judge Bruno Tonioli agreed, saying it was “not good, but great”.
The pair scored 15 out of 20, equal first with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt.
Following his show-stopping debut, betting markets were quick to back Irwin as a frontrunner. Sportsbet currently has him as the 2025 favourite at $1.57, with Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas second at $6.50.
Images: Instagram
