Behind the Sequins: Why Dancing Queen Jenna Johnson Is Having Her Toughest Season Yet
In the rarefied world of sequined gowns and perfectly coiffed tresses, where every step is choreographed to perfection, even the most seasoned performers can find themselves caught in an unexpected tempest. This season’s Dancing With the Stars has delivered precisely such a moment, with whispers from the ballroom suggesting that not all partnerships are dancing to the same rhythm.
Two-time mirrorball champion Jenna Johnson—the epitome of grace under pressure and a beacon of professional excellence—finds herself navigating what can only be described as choppy waters with her current partner, the enigmatic Corey Feldman. According to revelations from Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Johnson’s brother-in-law and fellow dance virtuoso, the usually unflappable choreographer is experiencing what he delicately terms “a really difficult time.”
“Obviously, Jenna has a bit of an uphill climb with Corey,” Chmerkovskiy confided to Daily Mail, his words carrying the weight of someone who understands the intricate pressures of prime-time performance. “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.”
The Season 18 mirrorball winner didn’t mince words when defending his sister-in-law’s reputation, demanding that observers recognize Johnson’s illustrious track record. “You’re talking about a reigning champ, so put some respect on the name, everybody,” he declared with the fervor of someone protecting family honor.
The root of this ballroom turbulence appears to stem not from age—Feldman, 54, partnered with the 31-year-old Johnson—but from what Chmerkovskiy diplomatically describes as challenges with “dancing abilities and work ethic.” The Stand by Me actor is reportedly struggling with choreography, finding himself decidedly outside his comfort zone in a world where precision and dedication reign supreme.
“Don’t forget this production is not just about you and your partner dancing,” Chmerkovskiy explained, painting a vivid picture of the show’s demanding ecosystem. “It’s about this massive behemoth of everything that’s happening—the amount of people that you have to deal with, the amount of interviews, and this is all between your rehearsal time and your therapy.”
The drama began percolating even before the season’s official launch. Astute fans noticed Johnson’s conspicuous absence from social media—a stark departure from her usual behind-the-scenes content strategy. When questioned about missing TikToks featuring her and Feldman, Johnson’s response was refreshingly candid: “To be completely honest, I actually haven’t seen him since Good Morning America.”
The partnership’s struggles became painfully evident during the September 16 premiere, where Johnson and Feldman’s tango to Billy Joel’s “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” earned them a tie for the evening’s lowest score—a devastating blow for a professional of Johnson’s caliber.
In an industry where image is everything and every stumble is magnified under the spotlight, this behind-the-scenes drama serves as a poignant reminder that even the most polished productions can harbor very human struggles.
