Former child star Corey Feldman will compete as a celebrity contestant with professional dancer Jenna Johnson in season 34 of the hit ABC show.
Corey Feldman is stepping back into the spotlight after joining the cast of “Dancing With the Stars.”
The 54-year-old actor, who rose to fame as a child star in classic 1980s movies including “The Goonies,” “Stand by Me” and “The Lost Boys,” will compete as a celebrity contestant with professional dancer Jenna Johnson in season 34 of the hit ABC show.
During an interview with Us Weekly, Feldman shared his excitement over partnering with Johnson, who is the show’s reigning champion after taking home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy with former “The Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei at the end of season 33 last year.
“I’m very grateful that I have somebody so eloquent when it comes to the dance floor, and knowing everything, the moves, the rhythms, the styles [and] the technique,” Feldman told the outlet about working with Johnson.
“She’s the reigning queen, so I’m very grateful that I was lucky enough to land her as my partner,” he added.
Feldman, who has been taking part in daily rehearsals with Johnson, explained that his previous experience with dancing significantly differed from learning to master ballroom dance under his partner’s guidance.
“I’ve been dancing my whole life professionally, but [in a] totally different style of dancing,” Feldman said. “In all those situations, like, the choreographers were there to work around what I do.”
He continued, “They were there to kind of work with me and let me lead, so for me to take the back seat and turn it over and say, ‘It’s all you, show me. Lead me,’ I’m excited.”
In her own interview with Us Weekly, Johnson said she was looking forward to watching Feldman develop as a ballroom performer.
“I mean, we’re just getting started, so we have a lot of work to do, but I think people will be so excited to root on Corey and to see his journey on the show, and to watch him evolve as a ballroom dancer,” she said. “I think it’s going to be epic and so relatable.”
“I think so many people are going to be so stoked to watch [his] journey,” Johnson added.
Johnson also won “DWTS” alongside Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon in 2018. Despite heading into this season as the reigning champion, Johnson insisted that she doesn’t feel pressure to defend her title.
“I think every season is new as a clean slate, especially with different partners that you’re given,” she said. “I am so passionate about giving each partner the best experience possible. This is a different journey. I’m obviously so grateful for last year and the win, but this is new.
