Corey Feldman defends DWTS partnership amid Jenna Johnson feud rumors

Dancing With the Stars is once again in the spotlight as former child star Corey Feldman addresses claims that he was difficult to work with amid rumors of a backstage feud with DWTS pro Jenna Johnson. An insider told the Daily Mail that Feldman is “devastated” by the narrative surrounding his relationship with Johnson as the 34th season of the ABC competition kicks into high gear. Feldman’s representatives characterized the reports as mischaracterizations, saying that Feldman loves Johnson and even commented on her Instagram post to that effect.

Before the show’s season premiere timeframe, Jenna Johnson had indicated Feldman had not been present at rehearsals since the cast reveal on Sept. 3, prompting questions about the pairing's chemistry. Days later, the pair reunited and officially began rehearsals, with Johnson noting on social media that they were back in the studio. Other veterans of the series weighed in on the dynamic; Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Johnson’s brother-in-law and a former pro, acknowledged that the pairing faced an uphill climb and that Feldman might be struggling to adjust to the choreography and pace of the show. Still, a source close to Feldman insisted he “showed up every day and worked hard,” even continuing to rehearse during Charlie Sheen’s comeback tour.

The surrounding chatter has a longer history. Feldman has previously accused Charlie Sheen of raping his friend Corey Haim on the set of the 1986 film Lucas—a claim Sheen has consistently denied. In the context of DWTS, insiders say Feldman understood the pressure of live television and the intense scrutiny that comes with a high-profile pairing, even as he remained grateful for the opportunity.

Following Feldman’s week-one elimination, the insider said he felt defeated and sad, yet expressed gratitude for what the experience offered. Support reportedly poured in from his castmates, including Alix Earle and Elaine Hendrix, who publicly rallied around him on social media and in person. In response to Johnson’s Instagram posts, Feldman publicly thanked her for the collaboration, describing her as “an absolute joy to work with” and noting that any perceived negativity was not reflective of their actual time together.

Johnson herself posted a slideshow commemorating the journey, writing that their time together was cut short but that she was “SO grateful for the incredible weeks we did get to share!!” The exchange underscored a common DWTS pattern: a teaming that can generate controversy in the run-up to competition but also reveal genuine camaraderie once the dance floor becomes the focus. Feldman publicly acknowledged the positive moments, emphasizing his appreciation for Johnson’s professionalism and for the lessons he carried forward from the experience.

Despite the backstage tension, the season is shaping up as a trendsetter for DWTS. The season’s performance metrics continue to draw attention: the season-33 finale drew 6.36 million viewers in Live+Same Day totals, the highest since the 2021 finale, according to Nielsen. After seven days of viewing on ABC, Disney+, Hulu and other platforms, the total rose to 7.95 million, illustrating the show’s continued resonance with audiences and the ongoing value of star-driven pairings. The dynamic around Feldman and Johnson—rife with rumors yet tempered by moments of harmony—highlights the broader cultural interest in DWTS as it pushes forward into a season expected to be among the most watched in years.