Dancing with the Stars cast all paid the same: $345,000 if they last 10 weeks

The collection of C-list celebrities, reality stars, and Bristol Palin that comprises the Dancing with the Stars cast will all be paid the same amount if they last through the entire competition: $345,000. Among the people who turned that down were Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Sylvester Stallone, Ann Coulter, Condoleezza Rice, Erin Brockovich, Richard Branson, Tim Allen, and Suzanne Somers, while Joel McHale, Drew Carey, and Kirstie Alley have also said no previously—though the show had to say no to Melanie Griffith’s repeated attempts to be cast yet.

This season’s actual cast members “makes an initial $125,000 for signing, three weeks of rehearsal before the premiere and competing in the first two episodes, even if the cast member is cut after the first dance,” according to The Hollywood Reporter, which also reported the list of the stars who rejected the gig. “The breakdown for the remaining weeks is $10,000 an episode for Weeks 3 and 4, $20,000 an episode for Weeks 5 and 6, $30,000 an episode for Weeks 7 and 8, and $50,000 an episode for the final two weeks.”

However, not going to six, and later eight hours of rehearsal every day means a pay cut. A crew member also told The Hollywood Reporter that “Nobody has ever been allowed to use their own hair and makeup team,” and “Production pairs up the star and the professional. If they didn’t, everyone would be vying for the same few dancers.”