Maura Higgins’ Huge Dancing With The Stars Paycheck Has Finally Been Revealed
Maura Higgins is set to pocket a huge six-figure sum from her Dancing With The Stars stint – even if her time on the show comes to an early end.
The former Love Island personality could reportedly bank up to $295,000 if she makes it through to the final stages of the hit US dance contest. But even if she is eliminated within the first two weeks, Maura is still understood to receive a hefty $125,000.
The eye-watering figure dwarfs the reported $25,000 initial fee offered to stars appearing on the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing. Maura has become a major name Stateside following her appearance on The Traitors US, and her profile is expected to soar further after being paired with professional dancer Mark Ballas – son of former Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas.
A source said: “Dancing With The Stars pays tremendously well but the boost to a celebrity’s profile goes beyond even the pay cheque from the network. Maura is already known in the US thanks to her role on The Traitors US but this will take her into every sitting room in the States.”
They added to the U.S. Sun, “Her earning power will now be off the charts.” DWTS operates a sliding contract, with celebrity salaries increasing the longer they remain in the competition.
Maura has already started rehearsals for the show (Image: Getty)
Stars begin with $125,000, while those who make it to weeks three and four receive an additional $10,000 for each week. The payments then rise, with week five bringing an extra $15,000, while weeks six and seven add $20,000 per week.
Celebrities who survive until weeks eight and nine receive another $30,000 for each week. Reaching the semi-finals and final reportedly adds a further $50,000, although Variety reported that, since 2020, the overall payment has been capped at $295,000.
And Maura already has another major US television role lined up. Disney+ has signed her to front its reboot of Blind Date, the iconic dating show which first aired in 1985 and became a Saturday-night favourite for almost two decades with Cilla Black at the helm.
Announcing the news on Instagram, the streamer borrowed the show’s famous catchphrase, writing: “Blind Date host, what’s your name and where d’ya come from?’ It’s… Maura Higgins.”
The new series is due to launch next year and will follow the familiar format, with single contestants choosing between three potential partners hidden behind a wall. Angela Jain, head of content at Disney+ EMEA, said Higgins’ name was a “shortcut” for a tone that is “cheeky, fun, witty, and warm”.
