Why Zendaya Hasn’t Watched Dancing With the Stars Since Appearing on the Show

Amid Dancing With the Stars’ 33rd season airing, Zendaya—who was runner-up on the series in 2013—admitted why she hasn’t tuned in. 

By Olivia Evans Oct 04, 2024 1:05 PMTags
Watch: 2024 Met Gala: Zendaya Changes Into Second Look and Walks the Steps Again!

Zendaya would rather not put this show on replay. 

As Dancing With the Stars’ 33rd season continues, the Challengers actress shared why she hasn’t been keeping track of the series since she was awarded runner-up in 2013 with dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy.

“I have not watched Dancing With the Stars since I was on,” Zendaya admitted on The Awardist podcast Oct. 3. “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. My grandma loves Dancing with the Stars, that's her bag.”

On top of not having interest to tune in, the 28-year-old also admitted she doesn’t exactly want to relive that era of her life. 

“I also think it was a very stressful experience,” she added. “I was like, ‘I don't think I'm gonna be watching this anymore.’”

Despite the stress it caused then-16-year-old Zendaya, she performed very well during her time on the show. After all, the Disney star made it all the way to the finale, competing against other stars like Lisa Vanderpump and Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman

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But throughout the season, it was American Idol alum Kellie Pickler and her partner Derek Hough who were Zendaya and Val’s biggest competitors. Ultimately, the Mirrorball trophy ended up going to the former duo. 

As for who will score the Mirrorball this season? It’s still a bit too early to tell, but the competition has already been fierce. In fact, 90210, Beverly Hills alum Tori Spelling and fake heiress Anna Delvey have already been cut. 

And while this year’s competitors include Olympians Stephen Nedoroscik and Ilona Maher, neither Tori, nor Anna were feeling fulfilled after being eliminated. 

Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

“I feel that the show so obviously used me to drive up the ratings, that they never had any plans to give me any chance to grow and only cared about exploiting me for attention,” Anna told NBC News after her Sept. 24 elimination. “It was predatory of them to try [to] make me feel inadequate and stupid all while I did get progressively better yet they chose to disregard that.” 

Keep reading to see who remains on the ballroom floor.  

Anna Delvey 

The inspriation behind Inventing Anna traded her ankle bracelet for dancing shoes alongside partner Ezra Sosa. However, the fake heiress was eliminated during the season's Sept. 24 episode, with her saying that she learned "nothing" in her now-infamous, one-word farewell speech.

Ilona Maher

The Olympic rugby player was ready to ruck up the dance floor with pro Alan Bersten, finishing as the runner-up.

Chandler Kinney 

The Disney Channel star tried to dance her way to the top with partner Brandon Armstrong and ultimately placed third.

Brooks Nader 

The model and her partner Gleb Savchenko were ready to strut along the ballroom, but took their final bow on Oct. 15.

Reginald VelJohnson

All that mattered for the Family Matters alum and partner Emma Slater was taking home the Mirrorball Trophy. However, their journey was cut short during the second week of competition on Oct. 8.

Eric Roberts 

The Dark Knight star was partnered with Britt Stewart. They were eliminated in the second week alongside Reginald and Emma.

Joey Graziadei

The Bachelor alum has found his rose between thorns in partner Jenna Johnson, winning season 33.

Tori Spelling 

The alum of Beverly Hills, 90210 was oh so ready to dance alongside Pasha Pashkov. Unfortunately, the two last only one week and was cut from competition in a double elimination alongside Anna and Ezra.

Danny Amendola 

The NFL pro and partner Witney Carson sure scored a touchdown on the dance floor, placing fifth in the finale.

Dwight Howard 

The NBA star hoped to stand head and shoulders above the competition with partner Daniella Karagach, but was eliminated from the competition on Nov. 12.

Stephen Nedoroscik 

The Olympian had his sights set on another medal—or should we say, Mirrorball Trophy—with partner Rylee Arnold, placing fourth in the Nov. 26 finale.

Phaedra Parks 

The Traitors alum was sure to weed out the competition with partner Val Chmerkovskiy, but ended up getting cut from the lineup Oct. 22.

Jenn Tran

Though Bachelorette star and partner Sasha Farber were full bloom in the ballroom, they were eliminated from the competition on Oct. 29.

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