“Dancing with the Stars” Season 34 was incredible: the level of talent from the celebrity competitors made for an excellent show and a tight finale. The season winner was Robert Irwin, who competed alongside his professional dance partner, Witney Carson; however, there were many memorable performances and stars who took part in the ABC dance competition this year, including former child star Corey Feldman.
Feldman was paired with pro Jenna Johnson, but the pair were eliminated at the start of the season. In an interview before the finale, Feldman made controversial statements about the competition and what he felt was toxic behavior. Former pro Sharna Burgess has since been asked about the show’s culture.
Sharna Burgess Defends DWTS
Burgess was asked by fans to comment on the claims that there is “toxicity” on “Dancing with the Stars.” She addressed these claims in a Q&A segment on her Instagram Stories, after a fan asked, “What do you think DWTS toxic means?,” People reports.
“I’ve never heard this but l’m gonna have to assume The fandom (some not all obvi),” Burgess replied. “It’s certainly not the show itself or the people on it. Gosh I hate even seeing those two words together it’s so sad but yeah the online hate is just another level these days. On the flip side so is the online love and adoration. It’s the ying and yang.. the balance I guess. Where there are more people that love something there will also be more people that don’t.”
She made no mention of Feldman’s comments.
Sometimes, the fans of the show can indeed be incredibly passionate about their favorite celebrity. This has led to judge Carrie Ann Inaba receiving hurtful comments. The reactions to dancers and their performances can also be harsh or unkind. Burgess is no stranger to backlash either, and when Bobby Bones won Season 27 in 2018 alongside her, the reactions were mixed. Many felt that Bones was not deserving of the title because he was a weaker dancer, but his fans voted overwhelmingly to keep him in the competition.
Corey Feldman’s Comments About DWTS
“There was a lot of stupidity in the mudslinging that went on behind the scenes,” Feldman said in an episode of “Guvery’s Law Radio Show” on November 23, Daily Mail reports. The publication also reports that Feldman used the word “toxic” to describe the culture on the show.
He continued, “On the set, everybody gets along. Everybody’s great. Everybody’s happy. You’re working hard. You don’t even have time to look up. You’re just working. But then it’s like you start reading these things in the paper, like, ‘this person’s mad at this person. These people aren’t talking to each other …” But do other people who have experience on the show agree with his summary? Burgess definitely does not!
