Bindi Irwin: Dancing with the Stars pay held up by judge who needs proof her father died

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge refused to sign off on Bindi Irwin’s contract with Dancing with the Stars until she proves that her famous father, Steve Irwin, is actually dead.

Unfortunately, you read that right.

Since Bindi Irwin is still a minor at 17, she must get court approval to receive payment directly from the ABC show. Court documents obtained by EW show that until Bindi can demonstrate her father gave up rights to her money, “the court is unable to find that it is in the best interest of the minor to be bound by the terms of the contract.”

“Petitioner has failed to show that the minor’s father has irrevocably and perpetually released, relinquished and quitclaimed to the minor any interest he may have to the minor’s earnings under the contract,” the court says.

Bindi’s mother, Terri, already signed a quitclaim. Her husband and Bindi’s father, Steve, died in 2006 at the age of 44 after being stabbed in the chest by a stingray.

It’s likely someone at the court will discover the snafu and give Irwin what she wants — unless her attorneys provide a death certificate first.

Irwin’s contract that was filed with the court does provide some insight on what celebrities can earn by putting on their dancing shoes for ABC. All of the star hoofers receive a guaranteed salary of $125,000 and can receive weekly sweeteners if they last. If Irwin makes it to weeks 10 and 11, she could earn an additional $50,000 a week.