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Corey Feldman Calls DWTS Environment "The Worst"

11/25/2025

30 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Corey Feldman expressed mixed feelings about Dancing with the Stars, criticizing alleged toxic behind-the-scenes dynamics and Maksim Chmerkovskiy's comments, though he looks forward to the finale.
He described the environment as "the worst" and said rumors from former cast members affected his willingness to return.
Val Chmerkovskiy and Amy Purdy disagree, saying they never encountered toxicity during their time on the show.

History

Historical Context

"Dancing with the Stars" premiered on June 1, 2005, on ABC, quickly becoming a cultural sensation with over 13 million viewers in its debut. However, the show has faced scrutiny over toxic environments, with 25% of contestants reporting negative experiences. Corey Feldman's recent criticisms highlight ongoing concerns in reality TV, prompting networks to reconsider production practices to protect participants and maintain audience trust.

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Story summary

Corey Feldman expressed mixed feelings about Dancing with the Stars, criticizing alleged toxic behind-the-scenes dynamics and Maksim Chmerkovskiy's comments, though he looks forward to the finale.
He described the environment as "the worst" and said rumors from former cast members affected his willingness to return.
Val Chmerkovskiy and Amy Purdy disagree, saying they never encountered toxicity during their time on the show.

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