Corey Feldman's Past His Past And Steps Into The Spotlight On ‘Dancing With the Stars’

Dancing competitions have a way of bringing unexpected names back into the spotlight, and this season of Dancing With the Stars is no different. Corey Feldman, once a staple of 1980s films, is stepping onto the ballroom floor to show a new side of himself.

Now 54, Feldman became a household name through movies like The Goonies, Stand by Me, and The Lost Boys. Decades later, he’s joining season 34 of the hit ABC series as a celebrity contestant. He’s been paired with professional dancer Jenna Johnson, who enters the season as the reigning champion after winning last year with The Bachelor’s Joey Graziadei.

Feldman is quick to credit his partner’s expertise.

“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,” he told Us Weekly.

“She’s the reigning queen, so I’m very grateful that I was lucky enough to land her as my partner.”

Though Feldman has been dancing for much of his life, ballroom has been a different challenge.

“I’ve been dancing my whole life professionally, but [in a] totally different style,” he explained. “In all those situations, the choreographers were there to work around what I do. For me to take the back seat and turn it over and say, ‘It’s all you, show me. Lead me,’ I’m excited.”

Johnson, meanwhile, says she’s looking forward to guiding him through the process.

“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,” she said.

From child actor to teen idol, Feldman built a one-of-a-kind Hollywood career.

Feldman’s career has been anything but ordinary. He started acting at age three, appearing in commercials and TV shows before moving into films like Gremlins and Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter.

His role in The Goonies launched him into teen stardom, followed by hits with his late friend Corey Haim. The duo became pop-culture fixtures through films like License to Drive and Dream a Little Dream.

Corey Feldman

Feldman battled addiction and career struggles, later becoming an advocate for abuse survivors in Hollywood.

But fame also came with hardships. Feldman faced substance abuse issues, arrests, and a faltering career in the 1990s.

The loss of Haim in 2010 marked a turning point. Feldman spoke openly about the darker side of child stardom, later releasing his memoir Coreyography and the 2020 documentary (My) Truth: The Rape of Two Coreys. He has since become a vocal advocate for survivors of abuse in Hollywood.

Corey Feldman

Feldman juggles new music projects with intense rehearsals for Dancing with the Stars.

Alongside advocacy, Feldman has pursued music and continues to release new work. This fall, he has three EPs lined up and a new artist debuting on his CiFi Records label.

Still, it’s DWTS that’s consuming most of his energy right now. Daily rehearsals have been grueling, but he sees it as a chance to grow.

“It’s a lot of work. But I’m grateful. I’m grateful to learn. I am grateful to be a student. It’s nice.”Corey Feldman

Corey Feldman’s decision to join Dancing With the Stars feels like more than just a TV appearance. For someone who has lived through both extraordinary success and deeply personal challenges, stepping onto the ballroom floor represents resilience and reinvention.

His partnership with Jenna Johnson gives him a chance to show a new side of himself, while audiences will see more than nostalgia - they’ll watch a performer determined to keep moving forward, both literally and figuratively.

Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars premieres September 16 on ABC, with Feldman ready to step into the ballroom spotlight once again.