"Dancing With the Stars" doesn't just help a celebrity learn half a dozen dance styles over the course of a television season, it also helps their bank balance. And in the case of teenage Olympian Shawn Johnson, her fee for appearing on the show could pay for college several times over.
According to the contract filed in court between Shawn and BBC Worldwide Productions, which makes the show, the gymnast is being paid a guarantee of $125,000 to do the show, Access Hollywood has learned. The guarantee covers training, the first two weeks of the show and her appearance at the finale.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'American Idol' Season 8 Contenders & Their Celebrity Look-A-Likes
Shawn will receive $10,000 for getting through the third and fourth weeks of "Dancing."
As a frontrunner in the competition, who has scored high marks since the start of competition, she only stands to gain more as she takes on the ballroom with professional partner Mark Ballas.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'Dancing With The Stars' Season 8 Cast Revealed!
For weeks 5, 6 and 7, Shawn will take home $20,000 a week. $30,000 is her booty for weeks 8 and 9, and if she makes it to the 10th and 11th weeks of competition, Shawn will earn $50,000 a week, for a grand total of $365,000.
If "Dancing" chooses to make a special, Shawn can earn $30,000 for each one producers make.
And there is still more potential cash in the works. Future "Dancing" programming which would complement her "Dancing" run would net the Olympian $10,000 per show, and $5,000 for each in studio interview promoting the possible new official programming tied into the show. They are not paid, however, to do publicity for the show.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Keepin' It Real With TV's Hottest Reality Stars!
Heather Mills, who performed as a contestant during Season 4 of "Dancing," earned $217,000, according to the information contained in her divorce judgement, E! News previously reported.
And "Dancing" isn't the only show that pays its contestants. Popular reality show "American Idol" doles out cash as well, though in much smaller amounts.
During Season 6, "American Idol" contestants received $30 a day for food, one time hopeful Leslie Hunt, told E! News last year. She said they also received $500 to spend on clothes.
"Once you're in the Top 12, you get a check for even more money if you're eliminated," she said. "If you're within the top two, then you get a car. The higher up you are, the more money you get when you get eliminated. I think the winner received a six-figure amount."
And while on tour, the "Idols" receive a stipend rumored to be between $1,000 and $5,000, MSNBC previously reported.
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Denise Richards Gets The 'Dancing' Boot (March 25, 2009)
PLAY IT NOW: Stars Talk 'Dancing With The Stars Season 8 Premiere!
MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Dancing With the Stars - Celebrities - American Idol - Reality TV - TV
