Corey Feldman is speaking out after his short-lived stint on Dancing With the Stars — and he’s calling out a toxic backstage culture, media mudslinging, and unfair rumors. Though he says the set felt positive, he claims much of the “drama and BS” happens off-camera. He defends his pro partner Jenna Johnson, denies reports he was hard to work with, and reveals that gossip fueled by others fueled a false narrative. Fans and media are reacting — and the question remains: was this all just part of the DWTS machine?

Corey Feldman Doesn’t Hold Back: DWTS Was “Toxic” Behind the Scenes

Corey Feldman has dropped some serious criticism about his time on Dancing With the Stars. In a preview for his appearance on the Gurvey’s Law radio show, the former child star called parts of the show “the worst, like, most toxic” he’s ever experienced. According to him, the drama didn’t happen on camera — it happened in whispered gossip, media stories, and rumors.

“There was a lot of stupidity in the mudslinging that went on behind the scenes,” Feldman said bluntly.

On-Camera Fun vs. Off-Camera Turmoil

What Feldman Says Happened

In his interview, Feldman made a clear distinction: while rehearsals and days on set felt “great,” what circulated in tabloids and off-camera was something else entirely. He claims that while everyone on set was working hard and getting along, the media painted a different story — building tension, fueling conflict, and spreading false narratives.

Media Narratives He’s Pushbacking Against

Feldman said he started seeing headlines like:

• “Person X is mad at Person Y”
• “These cast members don’t even talk”
• “Corey Feldman destroyed the show,” among other things

He specifically pushed back on the idea that he was an egomaniac or hard to work with. He recalled asking his pro partner, Jenna Johnson, about rumors — and she told him to ignore her brother-in-law Maksim Chmerkovskiy, saying, “He just wants attention.”

Where the Rumors Came From: Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s Comments

One of the major sparks for the controversy? Jenna Johnson’s brother-in-law, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, a DWTS alum himself.

• Maksim apparently said Jenna was struggling with Corey, calling their partnership “really difficult.”
• Feldman responded by saying Jenna rolled her eyes at the suggestion and dismissed it, telling him not to give it too much weight.

The drama doesn’t seem built on what Jenna felt — according to Feldman, she thought the public narrative was overblown.

Corey’s Message to Jenna: Genuine or Defensive?

Gratitude and Reassurance

After their elimination from DWTS, Jenna shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, celebrating their time together. And Corey didn’t stay quiet — he responded publicly, thanking her and apologizing to her for any media-fueled negativity.

He wrote:

“Thank U Jenna! U were an absolute joy to work with … I was there 7 days a week … doing everything in my power to give U my best … God Bless your family, Keep dancing the dream.”

That message set a tone: he wasn’t pointing blame at her, but at the narrative around them.

Denying the Drama

Rather than confirming a feud, Corey framed the controversy as mostly coming from gossip and media spin. He insists his relationship with Jenna was respectful, and that much of what’s being said is blown way out of proportion.

How Much Did He Really Rehearse?

Some reports alleged that Corey skipped rehearsals. But he strongly denied this.

• According to him, he rehearsed seven days a week for three weeks — intense commitment, by anyone’s standard.
• He said that even if the judges didn’t always agree, he was giving his all behind the scenes.

For Feldman, this isn’t just about defending his professionalism — it’s about setting the record straight.

Why the Cast Elimination Sparked Even More Talk

Corey’s journey on DWTS was short — he was eliminated in Week 2. And even though he only danced a couple of weeks, the fallout has been anything but quiet.

• His early exit added fuel to the rumors, especially because some felt he was already a controversial pick.
• Fans and media both started spotlighting the tension between his public persona and what he claimed was the reality behind the scenes.
• Meanwhile, the audience score and judges’ reactions during his time on the dance floor were widely discussed — further fueling speculation about whether he belonged on the show.

Why Corey’s Calling the Show “Toxic”

Not All Drama Is on Camera

Feldman’s main argument: the worst conflict wasn’t in the dance routines or live episodes — it was the whisper campaigns, gossip, and rumor mills behind the curtain. He claims some of it came from cast members or related parties, not the show’s organized production.

Feeling Misunderstood

He seems hurt by what he sees as misrepresentation. According to him, the public — and the media — didn’t reflect the real experience he and Jenna had working together. He repeatedly emphasizes that he respects her, and feels blindsided by the negative framing.

Standing Up to Gossip

By speaking out, Corey isn’t just defending himself — he’s also calling out the toxicity and gossip that he says overshadowed the actual work. For someone who’s built a career speaking truth to power in Hollywood, this feels consistent with his way of doing things.

Public Reaction & Fan Debate

This all has fans talking. Some are siding with Corey, saying he’s being honest about a harsh backstage reality. Others believe the rumors could have some merit, given Feldman’s complex past and reputation.

Here’s what’s driving the debate:

1. Sympathy for the underdog: Many remember Corey’s child-star struggles and appreciate him defending himself publicly.
2. Distrust of tabloids: Fans often criticize media outlets for amplifying drama.
3. Questions about casting: Some wonder if he was cast more for nostalgia than dance skill — which could explain why his partner might have struggled.
4. Respect for Jenna: Even critics admit Jenna seemed professional, giving her the benefit of the doubt in this mess.

What This Means for Corey’s Legacy (and DWTS)

For Corey Feldman

This isn’t just about a dance show — it’s part of a larger narrative. Feldman has spent years rebuilding his personal and professional reputation. Speaking out now, he’s controlling his story, pushing back against what he sees as false narratives, and demanding a little respect for the work he put in.

For Dancing With the Stars

If Feldman’s claims are true, they raise big questions about the show’s backstage culture. The polished performances and friendly smiles may only scratch the surface — and for some celebrities, the real challenge lies off-camera.

For Fans and Media

This story is a reminder: backstage reality can be very different from what gets shown. Fans who tune in only to episodes might not see the gossip, tension, and politics that go on behind the glitz.

Final Thoughts

Corey Feldman’s DWTS journey was short — but his response is anything but silent. He says he worked hard, respected his partner, and is being mischaracterized in the media. His bigger frustration? What he calls a “toxic” ecosystem of gossip and rumors that threatened to mislead viewers and undermine his effort.

Whether you believe every detail of his claims or not, there’s no denying this: Feldman isn’t backing down. He wants people to know that his time on the show meant more to him than just a spot on the scoreboard — and he’s calling out what he believes is a real, harmful narrative.

Also Read :  Jellybean Johnson Passes Away at 69: Celebrating the Legacy of The Time’s Funk Icon

FAQs

Q: Why is Corey Feldman criticizing Dancing With the Stars now?
He says there was a toxic, rumor-driven culture behind the scenes, and he wants to push back on false media narratives.

Q: Did he and Jenna Johnson really not get along?
No — Corey insists they had a great working relationship and she even dismissed negative rumors as coming from her brother-in-law.

Q: Was he skipping rehearsals?
He strongly denies it. According to him, he rehearsed every day for three weeks.

Q: What did attendees or other cast members say?
Some critics, including Maksim Chmerkovskiy, suggested there were issues, but Corey argues these voices were amplified in ways that distorted reality.

Q: Did they dance well on the show before being eliminated?
He was eliminated in Week 2, so his time was limited. But he defended his work ethic and said he put in everything he had.

Q: Is this likely to damage DWTS’ reputation?
It could spark more scrutiny of how the show treats its celebrity cast and how much backstage drama is hidden from viewers.

Join our WhatsApp channel for more updates and information about celebrities and entertainment.