Corey Feldman has openly criticized the “toxic” atmosphere on the set of “Dancing with the Stars,” specifically targeting Maksim Chmerkovskiy, a former professional dancer on the show, for his recent public comments. These remarks come just days before Feldman is due to make a return to the program.
At 54, Feldman was the first celebrity to be voted off the show, struggling to capture the audience’s support amid ongoing discussions about his dedication to the popular ABC series.
Earlier this year, in an exclusive conversation with the Daily Mail, Chmerkovskiy, now 45, candidly discussed the challenges faced by his sister-in-law, Jenna Johnson, 31, while she was paired with Feldman. He emphasized the need for her to receive the “respect” she deserved.
Breaking his silence, Feldman expressed his astonishment at the negative atmosphere, describing the behind-the-scenes “mudslinging” as shocking. He noted that Johnson merely rolled her eyes at Chmerkovskiy’s critique when it was brought up.
“There was a lot of stupidity in the mudslinging that went on behind the scenes,” Feldman remarked. “On set, everything was great. But the behind-the-scenes drama and nonsense that people engage in on that show is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s the worst, most toxic environment.”
The actor, known for his role in “The Goonies,” shared his critical views of the show just as he prepares for a return appearance in the upcoming finale. The episode will feature competitors Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Elaine Hendrix, and Robert Irwin vying for the prestigious Mirrorball trophy.
Corey Feldman has revealed he was shocked at the toxicity of the ‘mudslinging’ behind-the-scenes on Dancing with the stars, days before he is set to return for the final
Feldman, 54, took aim at former DWTS pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 45, (pictured) who raised questions about the actor’s work ethic in an interview with the Daily Mail
Feldman said he is ‘not excited’ to dance again or appear alongside his cast mates as he recalled how he was branded an ‘egomaniac’ who was ‘so difficult to work with’.
Feldman opened up about his time on set in a pre-recorded appearance on the Gurvey’s Law Radio Show for AM 790 KABC Talkradio, which will air in Los Angeles at 7pm on Sunday.
‘On the set everybody gets along,’ he said. ‘Everybody’s great. Everybody’s happy. You’re working hard. You don’t even have time to look up. You’re just working.
‘But then it’s like you start reading these things in the paper, like, “this person’s mad at this person. These people aren’t talking to each other.” Or “are people working hard enough?” “Corey Feldman destroyed the show. He destroyed the whole show because he was such an egomaniac it’s so difficult to work with”.
‘And then you’re like, where is this coming from? And I asked Jen, I’m like, where is this coming from? She’s like, oh, it’s just Max. She rolls her eyes. She’s like, “oh it’s just Max. Don’t pay attention to him. He just wants attention.” I was like oh my God.’
Feldman’s dedication to the show was pulled into question days before the premier back in September.
The actor missed rehearsals for five days and his apparent lack of practice showed, as he received the joint lowest score – a nine out of 20 – for this Tango to Billy Joel ‘s It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.
Insiders previously told the Daily Mail that this season was ‘a s**t show’ with multiple stars failing to commit to the demands of the competition.
Feldman and Johnson became the first to be eliminated days after she claimed the actor had gone missing
‘They chose a few stars – and I use that term loosely – who just don’t want to put in the work,’ the source said at the time. ‘Some just don’t seem as committed as others have in the past.
‘Yes, Corey is one of them. It takes work to win Dancing with the Stars. Rehearsals, practice, really immersing yourself, and a few people don’t seem to want to do that.’
Speaking to the Daily Mail around the same time, Chmerkovskiy said: ‘Obviously, Jenna has a bit of an uphill climb with Corey, which is easy for everybody to say from [outside], but 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.
‘And so, I wish her all the best. We’re here. Obviously, we’re all together if you need to be, but you’re talking about a reigning champ, so put some respect on the name, everybody.’
Feldman and Johnson were voted off in a double week one elimination.
Speaking about his return, he said: ‘I will be on again this coming week. You know, they bring everybody back for the finale. We get to dance one more time.’
Asked if he was ‘excited’, he snapped: ‘No. No.’
If his feelings for the beloved ballroom show weren’t evident enough, when Gurvey’s co-host Kerri Kasem claimed she was ‘jealous’ of him being on the show, Feldman snapped: ‘Don’t be.’
