Zendaya Recalls 'Very Stressful Experience' onDancing with the Stars, Reveals She Has 'Not Watched' the Show Since

Mar. 15, 2025

Zendaya.Photo:Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Zendaya’s experience onDancing with the Starshas stayed with her over the years.

During an appearance on the Oct. 3 episode ofEntertainment Weekly’sAwardistpodcast, the actress, 28, looked back on her time competing on the hit dance show and why she’s chosen not to watch it ever since.

“I have not watchedDancing With the Starssince I was on,” she admitted with a laugh. “I didn’t really watchDancing With the Starsbefore I was onDancing With the Stars.I don’t think I was the target demographic. My grandma lovesDancing with the Stars,that’s her bag.”

Zendaya on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ with pro partner Val Chmerkovskiy.Adam Taylor/ABC via Getty

Adam Taylor/ABC via Getty

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

In 2013, the actress competed for the chance to win the mirrorball trophy alongside her partnerVal Chmerkovskiy. She was only 16 at the time. While the duo didn’t snag the title, they gave consistent performances and came in second place. The trophy that season ultimately went home withDerek Houghand his celebrity partnerKellie Pickler.

This season ofDancing with the Starshas boasted equal amounts of star power and contestants have includedTori Spelling,Eric Roberts,Anna Delvey,Dwight Howardand more.

Val Chmerkovskiy and Zendaya on ‘DWTS’.Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Though Spelling and Delvey have already been cut from the competition, the two have generated headlines for their performances on the show. In their double elimination, the convicted con artist shocked fans when hostJulianne Houghasked her what she was taking away from her experience and she bluntly replied, “Nothing."

“You guys told me, what I’m supposed to do. I tried to do it and then I still was rejected. And, I’m taking away nothing. This is what I’m taking away from it, because your advice was worthless,” she explained.

“The advice … did not pay off for me, even though I tried to follow it. And this is how I felt,” she continued. “I know… people were trying to interpret my answer in different ways, but no, not really. I really did not take away much from this experience.”

“I think I had to be on the defensive, especially after all the backlash that I received being cast on the show, even though the producers [tried] to defend me,” she added. “And I think everyone on the cast was generally very nice to me. But in the end, I don’t know.”

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Dancing with the Starsairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.

source: people.com