DWTS champ Jenna Johnson faces 'really difficult' season with Corey Feldman, says Maks Chmerkovskiy

Two-time DWTS champion Jenna Johnson is reportedly having a really difficult time with her season partner, Corey Feldman, according to her brother-in-law Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Chmerkovskiy, who won the mirrorball trophy in Season 18, urged fans to show Johnson respect, noting her uphill climb as she navigates Feldman’s dancing ability and the overall production demands. He said Feldman is struggling to learn the choreography and does not appear to have a steady work ethic, underscoring that the show is about far more than a couple of dancers alone.

Chmerkovskiy emphasized that the DWTS season operates as a large operation with multiple moving parts, including interviews and media obligations, all of which intersect with rehearsal time and the dancers’ personal adjustments between performances. He expressed faith in Johnson’s ability to persevere and get the job done, noting that a reigning champ can weather tough pairings with the right focus and coaching.

An insider told the Daily Mail that both Johnson and her husband, fellow DWTS pro Val Chmerkovskiy, have been miserable this season with their partners. Val is paired with influencer Alix Earle, and the insider said producers have warned staff not to complain about celebrity participants, a reminder of the intense environment surrounding the show. The comments point to friction behind the scenes as Johnson and Val navigate a season that has drawn heightened attention from fans and media alike.

Feldman received a low score for his tango in the season premiere, earning 9 out of 20 from judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli. Johnson, who previously won the Mirrorball Trophy twice — first with Adam Rippon and later with Joey Graziadei — has faced a challenging start as she works to translate her championship pedigree into chemistry with Feldman. The premiere clarified the early dynamic and the uphill path Johnson faces this season as she balances performance demands with public scrutiny.

Johnson had previously signaled tension by publicly noting she hadn’t seen Feldman for about a week after the partnership was announced and ahead of the premiere. On an Instagram Story, she acknowledged fan questions about their collaboration and explained that she had not connected with Feldman since their appearance on Good Morning America, a timeline that underscored the rough start to their season. This context helps explain why observers have described the season’s early days as unsettled for Johnson and her husband as they press forward with rehearsals and press obligations.

The DWTS season continues as Johnson and Feldman work to build on their performance, with judges’ early scoring serving as a signal of the challenge ahead. While Chmerkovskiy voiced confidence in his sister-in-law’s ability to adapt and excel, the current feedback and backstage reporting highlight a season defined by difficult early dynamics and the pressure of competing at the top level in a high-profile, long-running TV competition.