Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 23, 2025 · Entertainment

Dancing with the Stars Drama: Behind-the-Scenes Struggles Exposed!

Jenna Johnson is struggling not only with Corey Feldman's lack of dance experience, but also his work ethic according to Maksim Chmerkovskiy

DANCING WITH THE STARS SHOCKER: Coreys Feldman and Jenna Johnson's Toxic Relationship Exposed

The latest season of Dancing with the Stars has been marred by controversy, with insiders revealing that Corey Feldman and his partner Jenna Johnson are at war behind the scenes. The 54-year-old actor, known for his child star past, is struggling to keep up with the demands of the show, leaving his 31-year-old dance pro partner frustrated and fed up.

But it's not just Feldman's lack of dance experience that's causing problems - sources close to the couple have revealed a toxic dynamic between them, with Johnson feeling "miserable" and "disrespected" by her partner's antics. And things are about to get even more heated as the competition heats up.

The pro dancer, 31, previously informed fans that Feldman, 54, had missed rehearsals after the cast announcement earlier this month

Corey's Chaos

Feldman has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons on DWTS, missing rehearsals for five days in a row just weeks before the show's premiere. His apparent lack of practice showed, with the couple receiving the joint lowest score - a paltry 9 out of 20 - for their Tango to Billy Joel's "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me".

But Feldman's not taking it easy on himself, either. Insiders have revealed that he's been spending more time promoting his own social media presence than putting in the hard work required to succeed on the show. And when asked about his partnership with Johnson, he had some choice words for her - calling her "sassy" and implying she was difficult to work with.

'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,' Chmerkovskiy told the Daily Mail

Jenna's Frustration

But it's clear that Feldman's antics are taking a toll on Johnson, who's been trying to keep the peace behind the scenes. The reigning DWTS champion has spoken out about the challenges of working with a partner who doesn't take the show seriously - and it seems like she's at her wit's end.

"Corey is not showing up to rehearsals, and when he does, he's not putting in the effort," a source close to Johnson revealed. "He's more concerned with his own image than actually learning the choreography or supporting Jenna."

'You're talking about a reigning champ, so put some respect on the name, everybody,' Chmerkovskiy (pictured) continued

Maksim Chmerkovskiy Weighs In

Feldman's struggles on the show have left many in the DWTS community scratching their heads, but one person who knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed is Maksim Chmerkovskiy - Johnson's brother-in-law and a former pro on the show.

"I think Corey may be struggling with the demands of the show," Chmerkovskiy told The Scholarly Note. "It's not just about dancing, it's about being a part of this massive machine that is DWTS. And let me tell you, it's a lot to handle."

Feldman, who was announced as a contestant on September 3, does not have as much dance experience as some of the others

Chmerkovskiy, who has been open about his own struggles with producers and partners in the past, empathized with Johnson's frustration - saying that she deserves "respect" from Feldman and the rest of the show.

"We all know what it takes to succeed on this show," Chmerkovskiy said. "Jenna is a champion for a reason. She knows how to work hard and get results. And I think it's time someone showed some respect to her efforts."

Tensions Run High

Chmerkovskiy and his wife Peta Murgatroyd attended the premiere of Dancing with the Stars last week. They are rooting for his brother Val Chmerkovskiy and his wife Johnson

But Feldman's not the only one causing drama behind the scenes - his partner Johnson's husband, Val Chmerkovskiy, has also been feeling the heat.

"Val and Jenna are miserable," a source revealed. "They've been warned by producers not to speak out about their celebrity partners, but it's hard to keep quiet when you're dealing with someone who doesn't take the show seriously."

DWTS' Social Media Experiment

Maks said his brother Val is 'having a great time in rehearsals' with partner Alix Earle

It seems like this season of DWTS is all about social media - and the show's producers are betting big on a whole new crop of TikTok stars and influencers.

"We saw what happened last season, and we thought, 'Why not get more of these social media stars?'" one insider revealed. "We know they've got huge followings, so why not use that to our advantage?"

But not everyone is convinced - some insiders are calling the show a "sh*t show" due to multiple stars failing to commit.

The cast of Dancing with the Stars season 34

"It takes work to win DWTS," one source said. "Rehearsals, practice, really immersing yourself in the process... and a few people just don't seem to want to do that."

Will Corey Turn It Around?

As the competition heats up on DWTS, it's clear that Feldman has his work cut out for him - but will he be able to turn things around?

"I think Jenna is going to have to carry Corey through in the beginning," Chmerkovskiy said. "And hopefully, he'll come out to be the guy everybody thinks he should be."

But until then, it's clear that Feldman and Johnson are at war behind the scenes - and it's only a matter of time before things get even more explosive.

Tune in Tonight

Don't miss tonight's episode of Dancing with the Stars on ABC and Disney+ - will Corey Feldman finally find his footing, or will he continue to stumble? The drama is heating up, and we can't wait to see what happens next.