TV & Movies
Here’s Why Zendaya Hasn’t Watched DWTS Since She Competed
In a new podcast interview, she reflected on her “stressful” 2013 appearance.
The current season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars is in full swing, but one former contestant, Emmy-winning actor Zendaya, isn’t tuning in.
Zendaya competed on DWTS Season 16 in 2013 with dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy, ultimately finishing in second place behind American Idol alum Kellie Pickler and her partner, Derek Hough.
In a recent episode of Entertainment Weekly's The Awardist podcast, she reflected on her ballroom experience and explained why she doesn’t watch the show anymore, describing the time as “a very stressful experience.”
“I don’t think I was the target demographic,” said the actor, who’s since starred in projects like Euphoria, Dune, and Challengers. “My grandma loves Dancing with the Stars. That’s her bag.”
Val Is “Proud” Of Zendaya
Since appearing on DWTS, Zendaya and Chmerkovskiy have sung each other’s praises. In 2013, Zendaya invited her former dance partner on stage at an L.A. County Fair concert and encouraged the audience to vote for him and his Season 17 partner, Elizabeth Berkley.
More recently, Chmerkovskiy congratulated Zendaya on her first Emmy win, writing on Instagram that her continued success brought him “ridiculous amounts of joy.”
“Nearly 8 years ago I got the pleasure to teach a brilliant young woman how to ballroom dance,” he wrote. “After giving it every ounce of our effort we came in second. 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.”
