What Tom Bergeron Has Said About His DWTS Exit & Return as Guest Judge

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As a longtime observer of the entertainment world, I’m delighted to share some exciting news! Tom Bergeron, a familiar face to many of us, is returning to ‘Dancing With the Stars’ as a guest judge for their 20th-anniversary episode. It’s been five years since he left the show, and he recently told ‘Good Morning America’ how good it feels to be going back. Apparently, it was Conrad Green, the original showrunner, who really encouraged him to revisit those cherished memories. Honestly, Tom had initially thought his time with the show was over for good. He felt it wasn’t the same program he knew and loved, and he questioned what he’d gain from returning. But it sounds like a little nostalgia – and a friendly nudge from Conrad – changed his mind, and I, for one, am thrilled to see him back in the ballroom!

In July 2020, ABC and BBC Studios announced that Tom Bergeron and his co-host of six years, Erin Andrews, were leaving Dancing With the Stars. The networks released a statement to Variety saying that Tom Bergeron would always be considered part of the Dancing With the Stars family. They expressed sincere thanks for his humor and personality, which played a key role in the show’s success, and noted that his departure came as they planned a new creative direction for the program.

Andrew Llinares, who was the showrunner for Dancing With the Stars from 2018 to 2022, explained the decision to replace hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews with Tyra Banks. He hosted for three seasons, from 2020 to 2022. Llinares told reporters that long-running shows need to change to stay relevant, and bringing in a new host was about keeping the show fresh and attracting a wider audience, while still appealing to existing fans. Bergeron, however, has hinted that he and some network executives disagreed on the show’s direction.

Tom Bergeron says he met with the show’s leadership in the summer of 2019 and advised them to keep the show apolitical, especially with the 2020 election approaching. He specifically urged them to provide a non-divisive escape for viewers. He recalls they agreed with his suggestion. Therefore, he was surprised and felt betrayed when Sean Spicer, Donald Trump’s former Press Secretary, was cast on season 28. Bergeron publicly addressed his concerns on Twitter, though he didn’t reveal any names or political affiliations. He stated on a podcast that this incident led him to believe it would be his last season, as he felt misled by those in charge and was very upset. Despite his feelings, Bergeron and his co-host, Erin Andrews, remained professional while Spicer was on the show. He emphasized that he didn’t want any political figures, regardless of party affiliation, to be cast on the series, as he believed it wasn’t an appropriate booking.

Derek Hough explained that the show he left had changed from the one he originally fell in love with. While he admitted leaving Dancing With the Stars wasn’t a perfect experience, he still wants viewers to tune in and support the dancers. He emphasized that the show’s producers are entitled to make the changes they feel are best, and he fondly remembers most of his time there. He cares about the performers and hopes audiences continue to watch and appreciate their talent, even though the show is different now. He’s excited for them to showcase their skills in the upcoming season.

Bergeron is excited to return to the show and join judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough, along with hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough. He told GMA he’s thrilled to be back and anticipates a wonderful reunion with friends. Stay tuned for more Dancing With the Stars news until next week’s episode.

In 2019, Variety reported that contestants on Dancing With the Stars initially earn $125,000 for rehearsals and the first two weeks of the show, with earnings increasing each week they continue. Sources indicated a potential maximum payout of $295,000.

However, Bobby Bones, who won season 27 with Sharna Burgess in 2018, claimed he earned significantly more.

On Jason Tartick’s Trading Secrets podcast in September 2025, Bones revealed the pay structure: no money for the first episode, $10,000 for the second, and increasing amounts—$10,000, $10,000, $20,000, $20,000—potentially reaching $50,000 per episode if a contestant lasts. Combined with a base salary of around $110,000, Bones said he made nearly $400,000 from his time on the show.

ABC has not officially confirmed these figures.

Let’s talk pro dancer pay! It’s not widely publicized, but from what I’ve gathered, the longer a pro stays on the show, the more they earn – similar to the celebrity contestants. The good news is, even if a pro is eliminated early, they still receive compensation. Jenna Johnson shared on the The Morning After podcast that dancers are guaranteed payment for a certain number of weeks, though contracts can vary. She emphasized that everyone’s agreement is a little different, so details depend on the individual.

It seems professional dancers on Dancing with the Stars don’t earn extra money for winning the show, despite taking home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. However, there’s still a financial benefit to reaching the finale. According to pro dancer Cheryl Johnson, who has won twice (with Adam Rippon and Joey Graziadei), dancers get paid for the entire season if they make it to the end, and also receive a bonus. Winning doesn’t come with a large cash prize to share with their celebrity partner – it’s mostly about the trophy and bragging rights.

That doesn’t seem to be what happened. Dancer Lindsay Arnold shared on the 2022 podcast Trading Secrets that her pay was reduced by more than half when she moved from being a professional dancer to a troupe member.

Professional dancers have very little say in who they’re partnered with on shows like Dancing With the Stars. Lindsay explained on the Hot Smart Rich podcast that pairings are simply assigned, with dancers expected to make it work. Jenna added on The Morning After that the pairings are usually kept secret until the last minute to capture a genuine reaction, and dancers don’t even know who their partner is until they meet them. According to former showrunner Rob Wade, the Dancing With the Stars team considers height, body type, personality, and compatibility when making matches. They avoid pairing people who are likely to clash, as the experience is too intense and would be unpleasant for everyone involved – the celebrity, the show’s team, and the viewers. They’ve learned from past mistakes of pairing incompatible partners.

Dancing with the Stars requires a huge time commitment. Rylee Arnold, who partnered with Stephen Nedoroscik in season 33, explained on the Lightweights Podcast With Joe Vulpis that rehearsals typically last four hours – either from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., or 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. But the work doesn’t end there; she often meets with producers, works on choreography, or studies dance videos afterward. Rylee says her life is completely dedicated to the show, but she loves it and finds it incredibly fulfilling. It’s a demanding schedule with rehearsals happening Tuesday through Sunday, camera blocking on Monday, and then back to showtime on Tuesday – there are no days off!

Emma Slater and Britt Stewart shared in a September 2025 Instagram video that they were mostly in agreement, but it involved working together with the show’s producers.

As a longtime fan, I’m always amazed by everything that goes into each dance on the show, but the work of the costume department truly blows my mind! It’s unbelievably fast-paced. Designer Daniela Gschwendtner explained they essentially create a whole story for each couple’s outfit. Then, they have just five days – five days! – to actually make everything. That’s barely half a day per costume, and that doesn’t even include adding all the rhinestones! They have a huge team of around 20 people, plus a separate tailor shop, just to keep up. Steven Norman Lee shared that the dancers often don’t even try on their costumes until just hours before they perform! While they might re-use pants for the male dancers sometimes, almost everything is custom-made each week. Daniela added they do re-use things for group numbers or promotional shoots, but never for the actual competition. They really strive to keep everything fresh and new each week, so it stays exciting for us viewers – and I, for one, really appreciate that dedication!

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2025-11-06 00:23