‘DWTS’ Season 34 Contestant Admits He’s In It for the Paycheck, Thanks Fans for Their Support

Andy Richter got real about his reasons for joining Dancing with the Stars. The comedian admitted he was looking for a payday when he joined the ABC celebrity ballroom competition alongside pro dancer Emma Slater.

In his introductory package on the Season 34 premiere, Richter, 58, noted he’s managed to be “dance-avoidant” throughout his career. “The time is up on that, I guess,” Conan O’Brien’s longtime sidekick cracked.

He told Slater his biggest worry was his “legs holding up,” but he added that he was “not afraid” to look like an idiot on TV. “I don’t think I’m gonna be the best dancer here, but I know how important it is to sell it,” Richter said. “So, I don’t mind peacocking.”

After dancing a Cha Cha with Slater, Richter received a score of 9 out of 20 from judges Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.

In the skybox, host Julianne Hough asked him what made him “take the plunge” to join Dancing With the Stars.

“Paycheck,” Richter admitted. “But also, I’m the oldest one here and I knew would be good for me. And it has, and it’s wonderful.”

The DWTS paycheck is nothing to sneeze at. According to Variety, the starting salary for DWTS celebrities is $125,000, and they get more pay the longer they compete on the show.

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Ahead of his ballroom debut, Richter told The Wrap it was just another job. “It’s just a regular job… but not a regular job at all,” the comedian said. “I had all summer to be nervous about it, but also to start doing cardio again and stretching. But it’s been great. … I’ve got to get the steps down, ’cause then I can slice the ham real thick.”

After performing his premiere night Cha Cha, Richter posted an Instagram Reel to thank fans for their support—and, hopefully, their votes. (While no one went home on Night 1, two contestants will be eliminated next week.)

“I just want to thank you all for being so nice and for being so kind and so supportive after what Emma and I did tonight on the premiere of Dancing With the Stars,” he said. “You guys have just been so kind and I really, really do appreciate it… and I hope to stick around in this thing for a while, and I hope to keep having fun doing it.

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This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 17, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.