Time hasn’t healed Zendaya‘s wounds from losing Dancing With the Stars over a decade ago.
While the actress and her professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy made it to the finals, they were defeated by Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough.
Zendaya explained to W Magazine to the loss has lingered with her for all these years.
It still stings for Zendaya:
The Emmy-winning actress was asked if she has any favorite reality shows besides DWTS. Zendaya didn’t hold back her feelings about ABC‘s juggernaut dancing competition show.
“Listen, I’m still harboring a little animosity about that,” she began. “I felt that loss. I was only 16 years old, and it was highly stressful.”
In addition to being a child competing, the pressure of performing in front of a live audience took a toll on Z.
“Being on live television every week? It’s so scary. I took it very seriously, which, in retrospect, I wish I didn’t. I wish I’d enjoyed it a little bit more and just was like, ‘Eh, whatever.’ You know what I mean? But I was stressing myself out. I really went through it on that.”
And, no, Z hasn’t watched DWTS since she appeared on the show.
From disco balls to eight balls to tennis balls …
Although Zendaya lost the mirror ball trophy, she’s won in life.
While she began her career as a model and backup dancer, Zendaya found herself on Hollywood’s A-List of young actresses.
After Zendaya wrapped DWTS, she starred on Disney’s Shake It Up for three years. In 2017, she portrayed Michelle in Spiderman Homecoming, with her now-boyfriend, Tom Holland. Later that year, she played Annie in The Greatest Showman.
Zendaya headlines HBO’s drama, Euphoria, in which she won an Emmy award for her portrayal of a troubled/drug-addicted Rue.
Most recently, Zendaya starred in Dune and Dune: Part Two. She was celebrated for her performance as a tennis coach in the film The Challengers.
