Celebrity Justice
Shawn Johnson $cores Big with 'DWTS' Contract

Shawn Johnson is raking in the cash on "Dancing with the Stars" -- although she may not think it's worth the hassle of dealing with alleged stalker Robert O'Ryan ... and we have her contract to prove it.



We've obtained a copy of Shawn's "Dancing" contract -- a public document filed with the L.A. County Superior Court. A judge had to approve the deal because she's a minor. Under the contract, Shawn gets a guarantee of $125,000 for appearing on the show. By surviving the first elimination, she gets an additional $10,000 a week for weeks 3 and 4.

If Shawn survives the next eliminations, the rate doubles to $20,000 a week for weeks 5, 6 and 7. For weeks 8 and 9 she scores $30,000 a week.

And here's where it really gets sweet. In weeks 10 and 11, if Shawn makes it through, she gets $50,000 a week.

Total take if Shawn makes it to the final 2 -- $365,000.

Under the contract, Shawn must train approximately 20 hours a week. As for the all important issue of injuries ... the contract makes it clear that "Dancing" has no liability. It reads, "Artist releases Producer, Network ... from any and all claims ... arising from physical or other injury resulting from Artist's appearance in the Series..."

Nice work if you can get it.



Tags: ABC, contract, dancing with the stars, DancingWithTheStars, DWTS, money, payment, robert oryan, RobertOryan, shawn johnson, ShawnJohnson

Reader Comments

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31. they don't even need to pay these dancing "stars" that much - most people who are on that show would probably do it for free.

Posted at 9:47AM on Mar 27th 2009 by Bald Outing

32. I was naive enough to believe the "stars" didn't get paid to dance. Glad to see others here thought the same thing.

We should have KNOWN though that these coddled "entitled" folks wouldn't do this simply to learn to dance! All about the big bucks naturally.

I feel really stupid because I didn't think they rec'd any money much less that much!

No wonder they all get so upset when they get the old boot or low scores!

Do the contestants on American Idol get paid to appear to? Wow.

I agree that the professional dancers probably only get a tenth of what these "stars" do and THEY are the ones definitely making the "stars" look good! The professional dancers on the show are all AWESOME and definitely deserve just as much or MORE than the "stars" receive!

As for Shawn, she's a beautiful young lady who has an amazing athletic career and I hope & pray that she doesn't get hurt like so many of the other stars have on the show. Seems like more and more of them are getting injured and with her career she certainly doesn't need that.

I'm also so sorry that she had to contend with this crazy man stalking her. Thank God they caught him.

I wish her well in everything she does.

As for the revelation to me that all the "star" participants in DWTS are getting paid such huge bucks has really turned me off to the show.

I haven't watched the current one at all, not even one show and I didn't watch the last group either.

I LOVED the show for several "seasons" because they had really entertaining celebs and it was fun. The last two seasons have had really BORING people IMHO so I haven't tuned in even once.

I LOVE the show and hope they get better and more exciting stars in the coming seasons. From what I've read online, I'm not the only one who has tuned out due to the dull factor.

I do miss watching the show because I LOVE all the pros on there. As I said, ALL of them are truly AWESOME and a joy to watch.

Posted at 10:38AM on Mar 27th 2009 by Kathy S

33. Wow, I can't believe she is so UNDERPAID. If this was an established sitcom with the ratings DWTS gets, the actors would be getting hundreds of 1000's a week. She is getting a pilot episode salary, and only if she makes it to the finals. Clearly they are trading low salaries for huge exposure and name building.

Why should ABC be raking in all the ad $$$ when its the dancers that work their ass of every week and are the real ratings drivers. Want cheap labor? Try "Dancing with a Bunch of Nobodys," pay them $10/hr, and see how many people watch that. Its called regular ballroom dancing competitons, its on PBS, and NOBODY watches that crap.

Posted at 11:04AM on Mar 27th 2009 by fraker

34. ALL the celebrity dancers get paid and the ONLY reason for this story is that her contract is on the public record. I would bet a nickel that her contract is very comparable to other "stars" who have appeared or are currently participating in this show.

Making a big deal out of something that isn't even news. Must be a slow day at TMZ and suckers like me read this stuff!

Posted at 11:07AM on Mar 27th 2009 by robin Iwai

35. Dude, people get paid to go on Oprah and Dr. Phil, so why the hell shouldn't they get paid to be on a competition show? And if you think the A.I. contestants aren't at least getting an "allowance" then you must have been born yesterday. Do you really think they're paying for their own rooms, food, clothes?? Get real. Capitalism at work. I have no clue why this would upset anyone. The Obama disease of "class envy" and hating anyone that makes a dime is really making people stupid and forgetting that Capitalism is what make this country great. Not moronic, sick, Socalism.

If you want to be pissed at people for making money, then why not Julia Roberts, Ben Affleck, Chris Rock, Nick Cage, etc., who make 15-20 million bucks a pop just to produce more crappy movies. So shut up!!

Posted at 12:14PM on Mar 27th 2009 by wheres the shock?

36. What partner could they give her who MIGHT be up to her flexibility level..........GUMBY?

Posted at 11:41AM on Mar 27th 2009 by Roger C.

37. This chick is absolutely gorgeous!!! She should be on tv or movies. I'm so proud of her!!

Posted at 12:19PM on Mar 27th 2009 by Whoa mama

38. #33, well fortunately we're still a FREE CAPITALIST country for the time being and can do with our money as we please. And like you wouldn't accept that loot and keep it all to yourself if you could. Dems are such idiotic hypocrites.

Posted at 12:19PM on Mar 27th 2009 by ben

39. # 5 Anon ,Right after your Mama Is it Anon or A Hole?

Posted at 12:06PM on Mar 27th 2009 by Bizzie

40. For those of you that think TMZ has turned over a new leaf and are now being kind to this gorgeous young lady you're being taken as a fool. They've only changed their tactics to that of the Obama administration and singling her out in hopes of making her appear like a greedy bad guy, without any mention of any of the other contestants contracts. For some very sick, demented reason this company has it out for this beautiful young woman. My guess is Harvey wishes he was born a female if he could he'd choose to look exactly like Shawn.

Posted at 12:20PM on Mar 27th 2009 by TMZ sucks

41. Although she's a fellow adorable Iowan with many, many years of financial success ahead of her as a U.S. Olympic Gymnast, I'm rooting for Melissa Rycroft as she presents the most overall positive image of all the dancers on behalf of the youth of America.

Posted at 12:45PM on Mar 27th 2009 by Cara

42. She deserves the money plus it will help her parents pay off the three mortgages that they had to pull out to pay for her training.

Posted at 12:53PM on Mar 27th 2009 by Andrea

43. She will make it 2 the final four.... Maybe futher. She reminds me of the cheeta girl except better dancer.

Posted at 9:53PM on Mar 27th 2009 by ALI sercy

44. #41, Cara, with all due respect, I have to ask if you're a friend or family member of Melissa's? Cause your comments are absolutely ridiculous. Shawn is without a doubt, the most purely good natured, geniune, wholesome participant on the show. Not just this season, but any of the previous seasons. Shawn is a far better role model for "the youth of America." I doubt most parents would encourage their daughters to swallow their dignity and prance around in next to nothing for drunk football fans to drool over. Not to mention sell yourself out for a reality tv show to find "true love." She's a sweetheart and I wish her the best, but you gotta be kidding to say she's a better role model for young girls.

Posted at 3:49PM on Mar 27th 2009 by steven

45.
i hope she makes it too the end - so she can make money she earned not money from the taxpayers - see all those
s.o.b.s. at aig and wall street in general

Posted at 5:53PM on Mar 27th 2009 by dirk weston

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