Even with the glitz and glam of Dancing With the Stars season 34 just around the corner, one pro dancer has hit a surprising snag. Jenna Johnson, who hoisted the mirrorball trophy last year, hasn’t even had a practice session with her new celebrity partner, Corey Feldman. That’s a pretty wild start to a dance competition.
Jenna, 31, shared the unexpected news with her fans on Instagram on Saturday, September 6th. She mentioned that many people were asking about her TikToks with Corey, wondering what was going on. Her honest answer? "To be completely honest, I actually haven’t seen him since Good Morning America." The official cast announcement happened on GMA just days before, on September 3rd.
It turns out Corey, 54, had some earlier work plans and personal matters to take care of. So, he wasn’t available to hit the dance floor right away. Jenna confessed she’s "a little anxious and looking forward to getting back in the studio" with him. She can’t wait for him to return so they can finally start dancing and make some fun social media content. She’s been enjoying watching all the other couples share their rehearsal clips.
Despite the slow start, Jenna is pumped for the new season. "I always get so excited to begin this new season with this new family," she said. She already loves all the celebrities this year, calling them "simply incredible."
Fans got their first peek at the full DWTS cast earlier this month. Big names like Dylan Efron, Jordan Chiles, Hilaria Baldwin, and Baron Davis are all set to compete. Many of the professional dancers have been busily sharing updates from their practice rooms on social media.
This season is extra special for Jenna since she won last year with former Bachelor star Joey Graziadei. She chatted with Us Weekly after the cast reveal, making it clear she doesn’t feel any pressure to win again. "Every season feels like a fresh start," she explained. "Especially with different partners." She’s passionate about giving each partner the best possible experience. "This is a new journey. My intentions are different, so I’m excited."
Jenna told Us Weekly her goal is to help Corey "feel his best on the dance floor." Corey, for his part, joked that his first impression might not have wowed the reigning champ. "I feel like maybe I’ve disappointed her a little bit already," he quipped to Us Weekly. "I’m sure when she opened the door she thought, ‘Gosh, what do I have to deal with?’"
All jokes aside, Corey shared that he’s "grateful" to have an "eloquent" partner like Jenna. He mentioned he’s danced professionally his whole life, but in a very different way. "In all those situations, the choreographers were there to adapt to what I do," he added. They let him lead. Now, he’s ready to take a back seat. He’s excited to tell Jenna, "It’s all yours, show me. Guide me."
Dancing With the Stars kicks off on Tuesday, September 16th, at 8 p.m. ET. You can catch it on ABC and Disney+. New episodes will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.