Zendaya, the acclaimed star of Challengers and Euphoria, recently opened up about her experience on Dancing With the Stars, revealing why it’s a chapter of her career she hasn’t revisited. Long before her Emmy wins and blockbuster movie roles, Zendaya showcased her talents on the dance floor in Season 16 of the popular ABC competition in 2013. Partnered with the professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy, the then-teenager impressed audiences and judges alike with her performances, ultimately finishing as the runner-up to Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough.
In a candid new interview on EW’s The Awardist podcast, Zendaya shared her perspective on her Dancing With the Stars past. “I have not watched Dancing With the Stars since I was on,” she admitted, providing a glimpse into how she truly felt about the experience. Her comments suggest a level of stress associated with the show, contrasting with the often glamorous perception of the dance competition.
Zendaya and Valentin Chmerkovskiy dancing on Dancing With the Stars
Zendaya further elaborated on her limited engagement with the show, both before and after her participation. “I didn’t really watch Dancing With the Stars before I was on Dancing With the Stars. I don’t think I was the target demographic,” she explained. Interestingly, she mentioned a family connection to the show, adding, “My grandma loves Dancing with the Stars, that’s her bag.” Despite this familial appreciation, Zendaya reiterated her personal feelings, stating, “But yeah, I also think it was a very stressful experience. I was like, I don’t think I’m gonna be watching this anymore.” This honest reflection provides a unique insight into the pressures of the competition, even for someone as naturally gifted as Zendaya.
Before captivating audiences worldwide with her acting prowess, Zendaya’s career began on the Disney Channel. She starred in Shake It Up starting in 2010, playing Rocky Blue, a character who, coincidentally, was also a background dancer on a local TV show. Her time on Dancing With the Stars served as a significant stepping stone, broadening her reach beyond her Disney audience. Since her ballroom dancing days, Zendaya has achieved phenomenal success, starring as MJ in the Spider-Man trilogy, Chani in the Dune saga, headlining Challengers, and delivering a powerful performance as Rue Bennett in HBO’s Euphoria.
Zendaya and Valentin Chmerkovskiy dancing on Dancing With the Stars
Her role in Euphoria earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2020, marking a monumental achievement in her acting career. Valentin Chmerkovskiy, her Dancing With the Stars partner, celebrated her Emmy win with a heartfelt message on social media, demonstrating the lasting bond formed during their time on the show.
Chmerkovskiy’s Instagram post highlighted their journey together on Dancing With the Stars and his early belief in her potential. “Nearly 8 years ago I got the pleasure to teach a brilliant young woman how to ballroom dance on @dancingabc,” he wrote, reminiscing about their partnership. He recalled their second-place finish and the conversation they had after the results: “Devastated by the loss I remember telling her that one day you’ll be winning an Oscar and part of the reason why will be this feeling of defeat you feel right now. A few L’s will teach you lifelong lessons you’ll turn into dubs real soon.”
Zendaya and Valentin Chmerkovskiy dancing on Dancing With the Stars
He continued to express his pride in Zendaya’s accomplishments, noting the joy he derived from witnessing her growth since their DWTS season. “It was definitely not said this eloquently nor sound remotely as cool, and it isn’t an Oscar yet, but I always knew you were special. Our season on DWTS, and now your continued success since has brought me ridiculous amount of joy. I’m so proud of you Z! Youngest ever winner of an Emmy for a leading role. You’re a superstar, and always have been! Love you fam to many more wins in your life.” Chmerkovskiy’s message underscores the significant impact Dancing With the Stars had, not only on Zendaya’s career trajectory but also on the personal relationships forged during the experience. While Zendaya may not be tuning in to Dancing With the Stars anymore, her time on the show remains a memorable and formative period in her remarkable journey to stardom.
