Rules Dancing With The Stars Contestants Have To Follow

"Dancing with the Stars" is a unique reality competition show that brings celebrities into the ballroom and teaches them how to dance. In the studio, the competitors work with a professional ballroom dancer to learn the technique and discipline that is ballroom dancing. Each week, the couples perform live on stage in front of a studio audience and thousands of at-home viewers, showcasing everything they learned the week prior. The couples give it their all in hopes of improving each week, earning high scores, and getting enough viewer votes that they stay in the competition week after week. The winner of the show gets to take home the coveted Mirrorball Trophy and, of course, wins bragging rights to throw around whenever they feel it's appropriate.

Along with the grueling rehearsals, the tight-knit friendships, and the overall experience that is "DWTS," these celebs also have to play by a rule book that is fairly strict. From mandatory rehearsals and interviews to what they wear on the dance floor, there isn't too much wiggle room. We're taking a look at some of the rules set forth by production that "DWTS" contestants must follow if they ink a deal to appear on the show.

After the initial casting is completed for "Dancing with the Stars," the secret of who made the cut is kept quiet until the big cast reveal announcement. However, the cast members have to meet their ballroom professional partners before that, and rehearsals start shortly thereafter. While making their way to the studio, each celebrity is required to keep their identity hidden, which often means baggy clothing, hats, face coverings, glasses, and other disguises.

Over the years, "DWTS" fans have gotten pretty good at picking up on who might be on the cast and will often compare things like jewelry, tattoos, and even stature to try to figure out who might be on the season. For example, in September 2023, eagle-eyed fans noticed that someone walking into rehearsals appeared to be wearing the same bracelet that "Buying Beverly Hills" star Mauricio Umansky had been spotted wearing in some of his Instagram photos. The unique wrist wrap had multiple strands, including one with red beads. Despite completely covering his face with a tinted shield and having a sweatshirt over his head, fans had it all figured out. Sure enough, Umansky was cast in Season 32, dancing alongside pro Emma Slater.

We simply cannot talk about "Dancing with the Stars" without talking about the showmances. Piggybacking off the strategic partnerships, production is well aware that a flirtatious couple is good all around, whether that is simply for show, undeniable chemistry, or real love — and all three things have happened over and over again on "DWTS." While chatting with Glamour in 2015, executive producers Rob Wade and Ashley Edens both expressed being on board when love blossoms in the ballroom. It's no secret that people love love and that translates in the reality television world, getting people even more invested in tuning into the show. 

When it comes to "DWTS," there have been some incredible love stories that have lasted well beyond the ballroom, such as Season 31's Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant and Season 20's Kym Johnson and her eventual husband, Robert Herjavec. There have also been some close friendships that included plenty of flirting, which may have been dialed up to bring in the votes. Headlines have speculated about a budding romance on Season 32 between "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" husband Mauricio Umansky and his "DWTS" partner, Emma Slater, although they have denied any relationship. Plus, there were rumors surrounding fellow Season 32 contestant Harry Jowsey and his pro partner, Rylee Arnold.

One thing on "Dancing with the Stars" that can result in a point deduction in scoring, if not followed, is the no lifts rule. A lift occurs when one partner lifts the other off the ground — even slightly. There are a couple of styles of dance in which lifts are allowed — such as contemporary — but a lift during the Paso Doble will cost you.

"From day one it was decided that there would be no lifts in the proper Ballroom and Latin dances, just like in a true Ballroom and Latin dance competition, since that was the original basis of the show, to learn ballroom dances," longtime judge Carrie Ann Inaba explained in a lengthy Facebook post in 2017. "If lifts were allowed in every dance, people would start doing lifts to make their dances visually exciting, because truth be told, a good lift is always great to watch."

Inaba also explained that keeping lifts at a minimum keeps things fair across the board, as some of the older competitors on the show aren't able to incorporate lifts into routines as easily as some of the younger contestants, for example. While the other judges tend to be a bit more lenient when it comes to lifts, especially small ones, Inaba said she plays by the rules and will absolutely deduct a point if she catches a lift where there shouldn't be one.

When it comes to getting ready for "Dancing with the Stars," the show's production team not only has you covered, but they don't give you any other choice. Hair and makeup artists are provided for each contestant, and bringing in your own outside team of people is not allowed. The well-trained, experienced personnel hired by production know what looks best when it comes to being on television and dancing ballroom. A unique skill, really. 

"As department heads, we've had to soften the look and find the balance between the show's competition and entertainment values," key hairstylist Mary Guerrero explained to Variety in 2015. Meanwhile, talent co-executive producer Deena Katz told Glamour that this policy is mandatory. "It's something we can't negotiate. We are so specific on what we do," she said. "The hair and makeup is all done for them."

For most stars, using the provided hair and makeup teams isn't a problem, but there have been some complaints in the past. For example, Season 12 competitor Kirstie Alley wasn't super keen on having someone else in charge of her hair and makeup. Katz told Glamour that the "Look Who's Talking" actor "fought" the process, but eventually let up. After it was said and done, Katz noted that Alley ended up hiring her "DWTS" makeup artist to work for her personally. 

Believe it or not, spray tans on "Dancing with the Stars" are required. Each week, the celebrity contestants and their pro partners get sprayed down to ensure that their skin is bronzed and glowing. While some contestants are hesitant at first to go under the spray gun, "DWTS" makeup artist Zena Shteysel explained to People that oftentimes, it's the last piece of the hair and makeup puzzle.

"They see that the reason that they're doing it is because of ... these costumes that they're wearing. [When] they're scantily clad, they're like, 'Bring on the spray tan,'" they said in the 2013 interview. When it comes to getting the male contestants and pros ready for show nights? "We'll do some abs, we'll carve that out if they're wearing, like, no shirt or an open shirt. We get lots of requests for that," the makeup artist recounted.

Known as "Spray Tan Sundays," the dancers have all worked this step into their schedules. "It's just always been a big show for spray tanning because it gives them just that beautiful, polished, flawless look on stage when they're dancing. They have so much skin showing that it's so important to have," body bronzing artist Julie Nostrand told Yahoo! in 2011.

"Dancing with the Stars" competitors have experienced many injuries over the years, from bruised ribs to broken bones. Sometimes, a celebrity can work through the pain, especially if it's only a broken toe or a hairline fracture. However, if a doctor says that a person is at risk of further injuring themselves by staying in the competition, they must withdraw. For example, supermodel Christie Brinkley actually never made it to the Season 28 premiere after she suffered injuries in rehearsals caused her to drop out of the competition. Her daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Cook, took her place. 

That same season, football player Ray Lewis had to see himself out after he aggravated an old injury in his foot. "Not the ending I had hoped or worked for but that mirror ball wasn't in the plans for me," Lewis captioned his Instagram post at the time. The health and safety of "DWTS" contestants is paramount to the production of the show, and some injuries just aren't worth pushing it.