DWTS' Val Chmerkovskiy Reacts to Corey Feldman's Comments on "Behind-the-Scenes Drama"

After Corey Feldman alleged "behind-the-scenes drama and B.S." while competing on Dancing With the Stars, pro Val Chmerkovskiy disagreed in a surprisingly concise reaction.

By Brahmjot Kaur Nov 24, 2025 3:56 PMTags
Watch: Corey Feldman Details 'Dancing With the Stars' "Behind-the-Scenes Drama"

Val Chmerkovskiy is ready to tango into this conversation.

After Corey Feldman alleged seeing "toxic" behind-the-scenes elements while competing on season 34 of Dancing With the Stars, the dance pro shared his thoughts on the Stand By Me alum's remarks.

Indeed, Val commented four emojis under People's Nov. 22 Instagram post detailing Corey's experience: one with a pondering expression, donning a monocle; another in deep thought, with a hand on its chin; one with a zipped mouth; and finally, a lying emoji with a long nose resembling Pinocchio.

Along with the dancer, 39, who is currently partnered with Alix Earle, former competitors also disagreed with Corey's comments.

Season 18 runner-up Amy Purdy—who chacha'd onto the ballroom floor with pro Derek Hough—emphasized, "Never experienced anything toxic when I was on the show."

Despite Mauricio Umansky and partner Emma Slater being eliminated in week six of season 32, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star only has love for the dance competition.

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Corey Feldman Details Dancing With the Stars' "Behind-the-Scenes Drama"

"There is nothing toxic on the show," the 55-year-old wrote. "It's such a welcoming family."

As for what Corey—who was partnered with Val's wife Jenna Johnson, 31, before being eliminated in week two—had to say that sparked others' recollections, he had detailed the two-fold dynamic he witnessed during his time on the show.

"There was a lot of stupidity in the mudslinging that went on behind the scenes," he said on the Gurvey's Law Radio Show Nov. 22, per The Daily Mail. "Actually there, everything was great. But the behind-the-scenes drama and B.S. that people throw around that show, I've never seen anything like it. It's the worst, like, most toxic."

Although he emphasized that "on the set everybody gets along," he felt the public perception was far different from what he saw.

Disney/Stewart Cook

"You start reading these things in the paper," he continued. "'This person's mad at this person. These people aren't talking to each other.' 'Corey Feldman destroyed the show. He destroyed the whole show because he was such an egomaniac and so difficult to work with.'"

The Goonies actor was especially taken aback by comments made by Jenna's brother-in-law and pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy to The Daily Mail, who said her working with Corey was "a bit of an uphill climb."

And when Corey brought those concerns to Jenna, she firmly dismissed her brother-in-law's comments.

Disney/Eric McCandless

"I asked Jen, I'm like, 'Where is this coming from?'" he explained on the radio show. "She's like, 'Oh, it's just Maks.' She rolls her eyes. 'Don't pay attention to him. He just wants attention.' I was like 'Oh my God.'"

Although the 54-year-old didn't have the fondest memories, he is returning for the Nov. 25 finale. 

"ITS TRUE," he captioned his Nov. 23 Instagram post alongside a series of photos from the show. "IM BACK IN THE BALLROOM 4 1 LAST DANCE W THE STARS."

Now, as fans wait for the season 34 Dancing With the Stars finale, keep reading to see all the stars who competed for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

Baron Davis

Partnered with Britt Stewart

Jennifer Affleck 

Partnered with Jan Ravnik

Alix Earle 

Partnered with Valentin Chmerkovski

Dylan Efron

Partnered with Daniella Karagach 

Corey Feldman

Partnered with Jenna Johnson

Elaine Hendrix 

Partnered with Alan Bersten

Robert Irwin 

Partnered with Witney Carson

Jordan Chiles 

Partnered with Ezra Sosa

Scott Hoying 

Partnered with Rylee Arnold

Whitney Leavitt

Partnered with Mark Ballas

Hilaria Baldwin

Partnered with Gleb Savchenko 

Andy Richter

Partnered with Emma Slater

Danielle Fishel

Partnered with Pasha Pashkov