Corey Feldman Breaks Silence on Explosive ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Feud Rumors With Partner Jenna Johnson — Actor Pushes Back After Maksim Chmerkovskiy Claims It Was a “Difficult Season”
When Corey Feldman joined Dancing With the Stars Season 34, many viewers were intrigued to see how the 1980s child star would handle the rigors of ballroom dance. Paired with fan-favorite pro Jenna Johnson, expectations were high that the partnership would bring a mix of nostalgia and entertainment. But as soon as rehearsals began, whispers of tension started swirling — fueled in part by comments from within the DWTS family.
Speculation escalated when Maksim Chmerkovskiy, a longtime professional dancer and Jenna’s brother-in-law, described the partnership as “difficult,” suggesting Jenna was having a harder time than usual guiding Feldman through the competition. His remarks sparked a wave of headlines portraying Feldman as unprepared, unwilling to commit, or even clashing with his partner behind the scenes.
Now, Feldman is setting the record straight. Following the pair’s elimination, the actor and musician took to social media to directly address the rumors, calling Jenna an “absolute joy to work with” and pushing back against the negative narrative.
“Thank U Jenna!” Feldman wrote in a heartfelt comment on Johnson’s Instagram. “U were an absolute joy to work with. I’m so sorry for any negativity the media is using to give the false narrative that our time together was anything less than enjoyable.”
He went on to clarify that he was fully present in rehearsals, despite claims to the contrary. “You know as well as I do that I was there 7 days a week for the past 3 weeks, doing everything in my power to give U my best, even if the judges couldn’t see it.”
Feldman acknowledged the challenges but also praised Johnson’s patience and guidance. “I feel really terrible,” he admitted. “You deserved better. But please know I gave everything I had, and I’ll always cherish our time together.”
For her part, Jenna Johnson responded with kindness, making it clear there was no bad blood. In her own post, she thanked Feldman for his effort and positivity: “Our time together was cut short but I am SO grateful for the incredible weeks we did get to share!! Thank you for the giggles everyday in rehearsal, thank you for the hard work, and thank you for sharing your life lessons and memories with me. I’ll cherish our friendship forever. Never stop dancing.”
Her words helped cool down the feud rumors, instead highlighting a partnership that may have struggled competitively but thrived personally.
Ultimately, the situation seems less about conflict and more about perception. With outside voices fanning the flames of speculation and a demanding rehearsal schedule magnifying every misstep, Feldman and Johnson’s journey became an easy target for tabloid drama.
By speaking openly, both stars seem determined to reframe the story: not as a feud, but as a short-lived yet meaningful collaboration. And while their DWTS run may have ended early, the episode serves as a reminder of how quickly backstage whispers can overshadow the reality of hard work and respect behind the scenes.
