DWTS: Producer Drops HUGE Update After Maura & Ciara Shake Up Season 35!

DWTS Season 35 hasn’t even hit the ballroom yet, but the show is already getting hotter. With the announcement of Summer House star Ciara Miller and Love Island UK’s former Maura Higgins as its first celebrity contestants, the show got off to a spectacular beginning. This seems to be a complete strategy rather than just casting. The creators appear to be creating something explosive this season with reality TV drama, viral moments, and fan-favorite excitement.

This is where things become even more interesting. Deena Katz, the producer of DWTS, just gave an important update on the work going on behind the scenes. And it seems that the team is fully committed. Everything feels planned, from the demanding casting talks to well-planned announcements. So the big question is: who else will join this drama-packed lineup?

DWTS: How Much Do Celebrities Really Earn Per Episode?

DWTS has always caught attention for this reason as well – its payment drama, even before Season 35 ever makes headlines. Variety revealed in 2019 that contestants receive about $125,000 for the first two weeks of rehearsals alone. If they make it through eliminations, the real money starts to flow in. Weekly bonuses increase the total to an estimated $295,000.

Season 27 winner Bobby Bones later sparked controversy by claiming he was paid far more. Later in September 2025, in an interview with Trading Secrets, he revealed a different structure that begins with no payment and slowly increases per episode. Bones revealed that he took home around $400,000 off a basic salary of roughly $110,000. But ABC has never officially confirmed these numbers.

DWTS Casting Strategy Revealed As Maura & Ciara Bring Drama

The DWTS team isn’t taking things lightly this season, as Deena Katz made clear. They are actually already “deep into” every aspect of production. This shows that casting, themes, and overall strategy are all decided upon far in advance. Season 35’s energy is different, more deliberate, more dramatic, and undoubtedly more in line with what fans are currently hooked on.

Speaking of obsession, Maura Higgins virtually came on the show. Higgins has been consistently contacting people, arranging meals, and expressing her wishes to appear on DWTS, according to Katz. That kind of effort obviously paid off. Because she is hilarious, attractive, and hard to ignore, the producers see her as reality TV gold. She already seems like someone who could rule the dance floor and the headlines.

On the other hand, Ciara Miller has a layer of real-life drama in her casting. Following a recent viral incident involving her close friend Amanda Batula and ex-boyfriend West Wilson, her name has been making the rounds. The timing couldn’t have been more intentional or ideal. Katz said that it seemed like the “right time,” indicating that the team wanted to seize the current excitement while it was still new. It’s obvious that DWTS casts storylines as well as superstars.

Miller seems ready to put all of her energy into the competition despite the chaos all around her. She is keen to get back to a routine and is already preparing with Pilates and yoga. Meanwhile, Higgins admitted that she cried after hearing of her casting. That mixture of planning, energy, and pure feeling? Yes, it looks like this season will be anything but dull. Keep coming back to TV Season & Spoilers for more updates.