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The Unfiltered Scorecard: Who Are The Current Dancing With The Stars Judges And What Is Their Shocking Net Worth?

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The judging panel of Dancing with the Stars is the heart and soul of the competition, a trio of experts whose scores and critiques can make or break a celebrity's journey to the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. As of December 22, 2025, the panel for the highly successful US version of the show remains a powerhouse of experience, spanning decades of professional ballroom, Latin, and contemporary dance. This article provides the definitive, up-to-date look at the current panel—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—detailing their impressive biographies, their unique judging styles, and the latest on the show’s biggest changes following the emotional departure of the legendary Len Goodman.

The latest seasons, including Season 33 (2024), have seen the judges solidify their roles, bringing a dynamic blend of technical expertise, passionate performance feedback, and the perspective of a former six-time champion. Their collective authority ensures that every Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, and Paso Doble is judged with the highest standard of ballroom excellence, maintaining the show's competitive integrity.

The Current DWTS Judges: Complete Professional Biographies

The current judging panel is composed of three distinct personalities, each bringing an unparalleled level of expertise to the ballroom. Their history with the show and the wider dance world provides the topical authority necessary to critique the celebrity and professional dancer pairings.

Carrie Ann Inaba: The Technical Expert

  • Born: January 5, 1968, Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • Role on DWTS: Judge (Since Season 1, 2005).
  • Professional Background: Dancer, Choreographer, Actress, Singer, and TV Personality.
  • Notable Career Highlights:
    • Began her career as a pop singer in Japan.
    • Served as one of the original "Fly Girls" on the sketch comedy show In Living Color (1990–1992).
    • Extensive choreography credits on TV shows, including American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Dance Fever, and *The TV Land Awards*.
    • Co-hosted the daytime talk show The Talk from 2019 to 2021.
    • Known for focusing on the technical execution and the "lift rule" in her critiques.

Derek Hough: The Champion and Choreography Innovator

  • Born: May 17, 1985, Salt Lake City, Utah.
  • Role on DWTS: Judge (Since Season 29, 2020).
  • Professional Background: Professional Latin and Ballroom Dancer, Choreographer, Actor, and Author.
  • Notable Career Highlights:
    • The only six-time champion professional dancer in Dancing with the Stars history.
    • Received 14 Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Choreography.
    • Won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography four times (2013, 2015, 2021, and another year).
    • Starred in the West End production of Footloose: The Musical.
    • His memoir, Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion, was a New York Times bestseller.
    • Brings the unique perspective of a modern, multi-award-winning choreographer and former competitor.

Bruno Tonioli: The Enthusiastic Performer

  • Born: November 25, 1955, Ferrara, Italy.
  • Role on DWTS: Judge (Since Season 1, 2005).
  • Professional Background: Choreographer, Dancer, Author, and TV Personality.
  • Notable Career Highlights:
    • One of the two longest-serving judges on the US show, alongside Carrie Ann Inaba.
    • His extensive choreography credits include work for music legends like Tina Turner, Sting, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and Paul McCartney.
    • Served as a judge on the UK version, Strictly Come Dancing, from its inception in 2004 until 2022.
    • Known for his highly animated critiques, expressive gestures, and focus on performance quality and flair.
    • Authored the book Bruno Tonioli: My Story.

The Legacy of Len Goodman and the Changing Panel Dynamic

For 31 seasons, the late Len Goodman served as the Head Judge, establishing the gold standard for ballroom dance excellence and providing the firm, traditional counterpoint to Bruno’s theatrics and Carrie Ann’s technical focus. His presence was a cornerstone of the show's identity.

The panel's dynamic shifted significantly following Len Goodman’s retirement announcement at the end of Season 31 in November 2022.

Len, a highly respected professional ballroom dancer and dance teacher, cited a desire to spend more time with his family and grandchildren back in Britain as the main reason for his departure.

Tragically, Len Goodman passed away on April 22, 2023, just days before his 79th birthday, after a short battle with bone cancer.

The decision was made not to replace Len as a fourth judge, solidifying the new trio of Carrie Ann, Derek, and Bruno. Derek Hough, with his six Mirrorball wins and extensive Emmy-winning choreography background, has naturally stepped into a more authoritative role, maintaining the technical rigor that Len championed while adding a contemporary edge.

DWTS Judges Salary and Evolving Financial Landscape

One of the most common curiosity-driven questions among fans of Dancing with the Stars is the compensation for the judges. While the exact, current salary figures are confidential and can vary widely based on contract negotiations, reports and historical data provide a fascinating insight into the judges' earning power.

Historically, the judges' salaries have seen significant increases as the show's popularity soared. Early reports from years ago suggested that the original judges, including Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli, could earn up to $1.2 million per season.

More recently, salary estimates for the main judges—Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli—have been reported to be in the range of $250,000 to $500,000 per season. This figure can fluctuate based on the number of episodes, the judge's tenure, and their overall contract. Carrie Ann Inaba, for instance, transitioned from being a choreographer in the early seasons to a permanent judge, reportedly earning around $500,000 per season for her judging role.

For Derek Hough, his compensation is likely commensurate with his status as a multi-time champion and Emmy winner, placing him in a similar high-earning bracket. His role is particularly valuable due to his ability to speak to the technical challenges of modern dance and his deep, personal connection to the show's format as a former professional dancer.

The judges’ total net worth is further bolstered by their outside projects, which include international choreography (Bruno Tonioli), book deals and other television hosting roles (Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough), and extensive touring (Derek Hough). Their DWTS salary, while substantial, is often just one component of a lucrative, multi-faceted career in the entertainment industry.

The DWTS Judging Style: Performance, Technique, and Passion

The success of the DWTS judging panel lies in the complementary nature of their critiques. The three current judges ensure that every dance is evaluated from multiple critical angles:

  • Carrie Ann Inaba: Technique and Flow. Carrie Ann is the "technique police." Her focus is on the seamless flow, proper footwork, and adherence to the specific rules of the dance style. She is also the judge who most often calls out "illegal lifts," maintaining the integrity of the ballroom competition rules.
  • Derek Hough: Choreography and Execution. Derek brings the perspective of a contemporary master. He critiques the overall choreography, the partnership's connection, and the sheer difficulty of the routine. His feedback is often the most constructive and empathetic, leveraging his experience as a six-time Mirrorball champion professional.
  • Bruno Tonioli: Performance and Theatrics. Bruno is the show's passionate showman. His scores are based heavily on the performance quality, the energy, and the emotional connection of the dance. His over-the-top reactions and dramatic descriptions are a signature element that adds entertainment value and flair to the judging process.

This dynamic ensures that a couple cannot simply rely on showmanship (which Bruno rewards) but must also master the intricate technical details (which Carrie Ann and Derek scrutinize). The current panel’s combined experience in ballroom, Latin, and commercial choreography makes them one of the most qualified and entertaining judging trios in reality television today.

dancing with the stars judges
dancing with the stars judges

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