Teddy Coffey's Dream Comes True With an Assist From Val Chmerkovskiy

Photo credit: Native Four.

Since then, he's blossomed in the commercial dance industry with his work on Maks and Val Chmerkovskiy's tours, the Backstreet Boys Larger Than Life Las Vegas residency and Christina Aguilera's most recent tour. 

Now he's debuting his single and music video "Growing Pains" featuring Val's rap talents. Dance Dish got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the video back in March.

Director Cameron Thuman, Teddy Coffey and Val Chmerkovskiy behind the scenes. Photo credit: Native Four.

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Teddy and Val shared that the seeds were planted during the MVP Confidential Tour when the duo would play around with music. After the tour wrapped, Teddy approached the Dancing With the Stars pro with an idea. 

"I messaged him, saying, 'I know we talked about making music eventually. I am letting you know that I did start and I want to send you a possible lead single that I worked on with my friend, Jonah,'" Teddy said.

"During the tour, he talked about doing it and I held him accountable to it. Then he did it. I didn't expect it to be that good," said Val. "So I kept playing it on repeat and some lyrics came to mind. I wrote this little rap for it."

"I think we believe in what we've written and created together," Teddy chimed in. "I've had this dream since I was 16, but it just feels right, at 23, to finally do it."

Teddy described "Growing Pains" as a song about "someone who goes for it, follows their passions and becomes successful. However, they aren't ready for the repercussions or what comes along with it, which is fame."

"It already tells you what kind of person he is when he considers fame a repercussion of success," Val proudly said. "A lot of people would love to be famous. A lot of people are driven by fame."

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The pair echoed the same sentiment that the song and video wouldn't be the same without each other's participation.

"It's nice to see him pursue [music] because it's a very intimidating lane to pursue, especially when you're successful in another way," Val shared. "I'm glad that I could be here as an old vet to, first of all, support him and help him. But secondly, celebrate him because that's also important."

"Trust me, to have Val here means a lot to me," Teddy explained. "I know he wouldn't do this if he didn't believe in it."

Photo credit: Kristyn Burtt/Dance Dish.

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Teddy is currently working on an EP of five songs, but will he bring Val back in for a second collaboration?

"I'm down," Val laughed. "It's also reignited my passion for music, writing and being in the studio. But again, I'm just excited for him. I'm excited to see him blossom into the artist that he is."

"I know in my heart that I need to do many things to express myself through different mediums," Teddy summed up. "This is only the beginning."

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