Actor Corey Feldman has publicly condemned the 'toxic' culture he experienced on the set of Dancing with the Stars, just days before he is scheduled to make a return appearance for the show's finale.
A Damning Verdict on Behind-the-Scenes Drama
The 54-year-old star, who was the first celebrity eliminated from the hit ABC series this season, has taken specific aim at former professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail earlier this year, the 45-year-old Chmerkovskiy had criticised Feldman's work ethic and detailed the difficulties faced by his sister-in-law, Jenna Johnson, 31, who was Feldman's professional partner.
Feldman has now broken his silence, expressing his shock at the 'mudslinging' that occurred away from the cameras. He revealed that when he raised his concerns about Chmerkovskiy's public comments with Johnson, she simply rolled her eyes and dismissed the behaviour as attention-seeking.
'There was a lot of stupidity in the mudslinging that went on behind the scenes,' Feldman stated during a pre-recorded appearance on the Gurvey's Law Radio Show for AM 790 KABC Talkradio. '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.'
The Backstage Controversy and Elimination
Feldman's dedication to the competition was publicly questioned just days before the season premiere in September. The actor missed five days of rehearsals, and his apparent lack of practice was reflected in the judges' scores. He received the joint lowest score of nine out of 20 for his Tango to Billy Joel's 'It's Still Rock and Roll to Me'.
This sentiment was echoed by insiders who described the season as chaotic, with multiple stars allegedly failing to commit fully to the competition's demands. Feldman and Johnson were subsequently voted off in a double week one elimination.
Reflecting on the negative press he received, Feldman recalled being branded an 'egomaniac' who was 'so difficult to work with'. He expressed bewilderment at the origin of these stories, contrasting them with the cooperative atmosphere he experienced on the actual set.
An Unenthusiastic Return for the Finale
The Goonies actor is set to return for the show's finale on Tuesday night, where all former contestants typically perform a final dance. The episode will feature finalists Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Elaine Hendrix, and Robert Irwin competing for the coveted Mirrorball trophy.
However, Feldman's feelings about his return are far from positive. When asked if he was excited to dance again, he snapped, 'No. No.' His disdain for the experience was further emphasised when a co-host claimed to be jealous of his involvement, to which Feldman bluntly replied, 'Don’t be.'
This public fallout sheds a harsh light on the internal dynamics of one of television's most popular dance competitions, revealing a stark contrast between its glamorous on-screen presentation and the contentious environment described by one of its former contestants.
