Dancing With the Stars

Getting eliminated from Dancing With the Stars may end a professional dancer’s competition run, but it does not necessarily mean they leave the ballroom. For many DWTS professional dancers, elimination simply changes their role. Instead of preparing one celebrity for the next routine, they can become part of the larger production, helping with choreography, group performances, rehearsals and special numbers. That behind-the-scenes reality has become a hot topic following the latest eliminations on Dancing With the Stars Season 35. ([E! Online][1]) Do DWTS Pros Leave the Show After Elimination? Not usually. When a celebrity and professional dance partner are eliminated, the celebrity’s competition journey ends. The professional, however, can remain an important part of the weekly production. Brylee Armstrong, who is married to professional dancer Brandon Armstrong, previously explained that being eliminated with a celebrity partner does not automatically mean a pro packs up and leaves the show. Instead, eliminated professionals can receive additional responsibilities behind the scenes and on the ballroom floor. ([E! Online][1]) That means viewers may continue seeing familiar faces even after their celebrity partners have gone home. Eliminated Pros Can Join Other Performances One of the biggest changes involves performance duties. After elimination, a DWTS pro may help another couple prepare for a routine, participate in group numbers or perform in opening sequences and special segments. They can also contribute choreography and assist their fellow professional dancers during rehearsals. In some cases, this can actually make their schedule busier after elimination because they may suddenly be involved in multiple routines instead of concentrating on just one celebrity partnership. ([E! Online][1]) As Brylee Armstrong explained, an eliminated pro can essentially become another member of the show’s troupe. Hailey Bills Is Still Dancing After Her Elimination Season 35 has already provided a clear example. Hailey Bills, who joined the professional cast after previously being part of the DWTS troupe, was eliminated during the show’s two-night premiere with celebrity partner Sarah Jane Nader. Bills and Nader earned 14 out of 30 points for their jive before being sent home. ([E! Online Ads][2]) However, Bills’ season wasn’t simply over. The professional dancer explained that she would continue performing despite being eliminated from the competition. Her role could include appearances and performances throughout the remaining episodes. That distinction is important: a pro can be eliminated from the competition without being eliminated from the show itself. What Happened to Rylee Arnold After Elimination? Rylee Arnold has also discussed what happens after an elimination. After she and Scott Hoying were eliminated during a previous season, Arnold told her TikTok followers that she still had rehearsal responsibilities for an upcoming eliminated-pro bumper. Her experience shows why viewers shouldn’t assume that an eliminated professional immediately disappears from the ballroom. The production still needs dancers for various performances, and experienced pros can remain valuable to the show’s weekly schedule. ([E! Online][1]) Do DWTS Pros Still Get Paid After Elimination? Professional dancers also have contracts that can work differently from what viewers might expect. Jenna Johnson previously explained that professional dancers can have guaranteed payments covering a certain number of weeks, although contracts can vary. She also said that reaching the finale can bring additional financial incentives. Winning the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, however, does not mean the winning pro receives a massive cash prize comparable to a traditional competition jackpot. ([ak2.aka.eonline.com][3]) Because individual contracts aren’t publicly available in full, exact Dancing With the Stars pro salaries aren’t always known. Why Do Eliminated Pros Stay Busy? Dancing With the Stars is much bigger than the individual celebrity-pro partnership viewers see during the live show. Each episode requires: Once a professional’s celebrity partner is eliminated, that dancer can shift their attention toward these broader production responsibilities. Rylee Arnold has previously described the demanding rehearsal schedule, noting that pros can spend several hours each day rehearsing while also working with producers and creative teams. ([ak2.aka.eonline.com][3]) The Pros’ Work Doesn’t Stop at the Ballroom Another misconception is that DWTS professionals spend all their time simply teaching celebrities dance routines. In reality, the job involves much more. Professional dancers may contribute to choreography, perform multiple routines in one night, rehearse with other dancers and help create the large-scale entertainment spectacle that viewers see on ABC. That is why an eliminated pro can sometimes appear more frequently in the show’s remaining episodes. Elimination Isn’t the End for a DWTS Pro For celebrities, elimination means their journey toward the Mirrorball Trophy is over. For professional dancers, it can mark the beginning of a different phase of the season. From group dances and opening numbers to choreography and assisting fellow pros, eliminated dancers can continue playing an important role in Dancing With the Stars. So the next time a favorite DWTS professional gets eliminated, don’t assume you’ve seen the last of them. Their celebrity partner may be heading home—but their dance card can remain completely full. ([E! Online][1])Source: E! Online.