Jenna Johnson’s Tough Run with Corey Feldman on DWTS Revealed by Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Jenna Johnson’s Tough Run with Corey Feldman on DWTS Revealed by Maksim Chmerkovskiy

When professional dancer Jenna Johnson stepped onto the Dancing With the Stars floor with actor Corey Feldman for season 34, the cameras captured a lot of glitter and drama, but not the full story. Inside the studio, Maksim Chmerkovskiy – brother of Johnson’s husband, Val – told the Daily Mail that the partnership was "really difficult" for his sister‑in‑law, a sentiment that sheds light on the unseen strain behind the glitz.

Inside the Partnership Struggle

Johnson, 31, entered the competition as one of the show’s most decorated professionals. She’s a former champion, having clinched the trophy in a previous season, and her marriage to Val Chmerkovskiy in 2019 made her a familiar face for DWTS fans. Yet the reality of dancing with Feldman, a 54‑year‑old who rose to fame in the 1980s Lost Boys, proved far from straightforward.

According to Maksim, the challenges weren’t just the usual learning curve that every celebrity partner faces. "Obviously, Jenna has a bit of an uphill climb with Corey, which is easy for everybody to say from the outside," he explained, emphasizing that the difficulty went deeper than what viewers could guess from weekly performances. While the exact details were kept vague, the hint was clear: the schedule, choreography, and perhaps even personality clashes created a taxing environment for the pro.

Corey Feldman’s background is steeped in acting, not dance. Unlike athletes or singers who already have strong rhythmic training, Feldman had to acquire fundamental dance techniques from scratch. That learning gap can translate into longer rehearsals, more corrections, and a steeper physical demand on the professional dancer, who must keep the routine polished for live broadcasts.

Adding to the mix, DWTS’s production schedule is notoriously grueling. Partners rehearse six days a week, often juggling injuries, costume changes, and intense media attention. For a pro used to guiding skilled athletes, trying to bring a seasoned actor up to speed while maintaining showmanship can feel like a high‑stakes juggling act.

What Fans Need to Know

Fans reacted quickly when Maksim called for respect, reminding the audience that Johnson is a "reigning champ" who deserves appreciation, not criticism. In an era where social media can amplify every slip, his plea was a reminder that professional dancers shoulder a heavy burden of responsibility for the final product.

The elimination of Johnson and Feldman marked the end of an “exceptionally challenging experience,” as Maksim put it. While they exited the competition, the episode highlights a broader reality: professional dancers on reality shows often work behind the scenes to compensate for a partner’s lack of experience, manage fatigue, and keep the performance safe and captivating.

US Weekly reached out to both parties for comment, but neither responded before the story broke. The silence leaves many unanswered questions about which specific moments proved most taxing, whether injuries played a part, or how much of the strain was emotional versus technical.

What remains clear is that the DWTS stage is more than a glittering ballroom; it’s a high‑pressure workshop where seasoned pros must adapt on the fly, often with little public recognition. Maksim’s insider perspective offers a rare glimpse into that world, and it underscores why respect for the professionals behind the fame matters as much as applause for the celebrity stars.