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Zendaya Reflects on DWTS Loss: “I Still Feel That Loss”
Last Updated: January 04, 2025, 15:43 IST
Zendaya and her partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy lost the trophy of DWTS to Kellie Pickler and her dance partner Derek Hough.
Zendaya made her mark on the 16th season of “Dancing With the Stars” (DWTS), but despite her talent and hard work, she did not take home the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. The actress opened up about this experience in a recent interview, revealing that the disappointment of that loss still resonates with her today.
In an interview with W Magazine, the 28-year-old actress admitted to harboring “animosity” regarding her defeat on the dance competition in 2013. “Listen, I’m still harbouring a little animosity about that,” she stated when prompted about the loss. Paired with professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Zendaya showcased her dancing skills but ultimately lost to Kellie Pickler and her partner Derek Hough.
Reflecting on the experience, Zendaya recalled her feelings as a 16-year-old competing in the high-pressure environment of live television. She commented on the intensity of the show, saying, “I felt that loss. I was only 16 years old, and it was highly stressful. Being on live television every week? It’s so scary. I took it very seriously.” This response underscores the immense pressure that young contestants often face in such competitive formats.
Now older and more reflective, Zendaya wishes she had approached the experience with a lighter mindset. “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,” she expressed, highlighting the personal challenges she faced during her time on the show.
Interestingly, when asked about her current viewing habits, Zendaya revealed that she has not watched DWTS since her season, nor did she follow the show prior to competing. “I have not watched Dancing With the Stars since I was on. I didn’t really watch Dancing With the Stars before I was on Dancing With the Stars,” she explained. She elaborated on her feelings about the competitive nature of the show, stating, “I also think it was a very stressful experience. I was like, I don’t think I’m gonna be watching this anymore.”
In a more lighthearted moment during the interview, Zendaya shared her “guilty pleasure” reality show, which happens to be “Love Is Blind.” Despite acknowledging the sometimes brutal nature of the show, she admitted to enjoying it, ultimately adding a humorous note about the producers and participants being aware of the cameras capturing their every moment.
Recently, audiences have seen Zendaya in her latest film, “The Challengers,” confirming her presence as a talented actress making waves in the film industry.
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