Corey Feldman claims “Dancing With the Stars” has a 'toxic' BTS culture: 'I've never seen anything like it'
- - Corey Feldman claims “Dancing With the Stars” has a 'toxic' BTS culture: 'I've never seen anything like it'
Staff AuthorNovember 24, 2025 at 2:28 AM
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Jose Alvarado, Jr./ABC
Corey Feldman on 'Dancing With the Stars'
Corey Feldman is done dancing around his feelings.
Weeks after the Hollywood icon and former child star was eliminated from Dancing With the Stars, Feldman is opening up about the behind-the-scenes drama that he experienced during his short-lived time on the competition show
"There was a lot of stupidity in the mudslinging that went on behind-the-scenes," Feldman revealed in a preview for an upcoming episode of the Gurvey’s Law radio show, obtained by the Daily Mail. "Actually there, everything was great, but the behind-the-scenes drama and BS that people throw around that show, I've never seen anything like it. It's the worst, like, most toxic."
Feldman was paired with pro dancer Jenna Johnson for his stint on the show, but only had the pleasure of working alongside her for two episodes of season 34. After a not-so-rousing cha-cha to Sir Mix-a-Lot’s "Baby Got Back," the Goonies star was eliminated from the show. Looking back on it now, the actor said the overall would have been positive if not for the trash-talking that he claims occurred in the press cycle.
Paul Archuleta/Getty
Corey Feldman in Los Angeles on March 22
"On the set everybody gets along. Everybody's great. Everybody's happy," Feldman clarified. "You're working hard. You don't even have time to look up. You're just working.”
He continued, "You start reading these things in the paper, like, ‘This person's mad at this person. These people aren't talking to each other.' Or, 'Are people working hard enough?' 'Corey Feldman destroyed the show. He destroyed the whole show because he was such an egomaniac; it's so difficult to work with [him].'"
The latter comments echo claims made by former DWTS pro dancer, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who mentioned Feldman to the Daily Mail in September, claiming that Johnson was struggling to work alongside him.
"Obviously, Jenna has a bit of an uphill climb with Corey, which is easy for everybody to say from [outside]," Chmerkovskiy said at the time. "But I know that she’s having a much more difficult time with this entire thing and to the point that it is really difficult for her."
Feldman said that he later asked Johnson, who is also Chmerkovskiy's sister-in-law, about the report. He claimed that she rolled her eyes in response and said, "'Oh it's just Max. Don't pay attention to him. He just wants attention.'"
Representatives for Feldman, Chmerkovskiy and DWTS did not immediately respond to Entertainment Weekly's request for comment.
Feldman has since expanded on his comments in a Saturday statement shared with PEOPLE, offering some clarity for the remarks made on the podcast.
"I want to make it absolutely clear that my experience on Dancing with the Stars has been positive," Feldman shared. "Everyone associated with the show — from my fellow cast members to the pros, crew and production team — has treated me with nothing but kindness, support and respect."
Eric McCandless/Disney
Corey Feldman on 'Dancing with the Stars'
He continued, "The issues I was referring to have nothing to do with the show itself. They relate to the outside commentary, rumors and individuals who are no longer directly involved with DWTS but still feel entitled to weigh in and create unnecessary drama."
Feldman also hinted that he will be putting his dance shoes back on soon, sharing, "I’m looking forward to getting back to rehearsals this week and can’t wait to dance with Jenna again. The DWTS family has been wonderful, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of it."
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On Sunday, the actor shared several snaps of a recent visit to the DWTS set — including his reunion with Johnson, who smiled while posing for a selfie with the star. The duo were joined by pro Britt Stewart and NBA champ Baron Davis, who were the first couple eliminated from the season.
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"IT WAS DEF FUN DANCING 2DAY W [Johnson] AGAIN, & HANGING W MY NEW FRIEND [Davis] WHO GOT SOME MOVES YALL NEVER GOT 2 C SADLY," Feldman captioned the photos.
He added that he's looking forward to tuning in for the season 34 finale, noting, "I [have] MY OWN PERSONAL PREDICTION WHICH I HAD SINCE DAY 1, HOW THIS WOULD ALL PLAY OUT, SO FAR IM RIGHT ON THE $. BUT WE SHALL C WHEN IT ALL COMES DOWN ON [Tuesday] NIGHT."
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