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The $50 Million Loss: Why Zendaya Still Holds 'Animosity' Over Her Shocking Dancing With The Stars Defeat

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Zendaya’s journey on Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) remains one of the most talked-about and controversial runs in the show’s history, even a decade later. As of December 2025, the multi-award-winning actress and fashion icon has solidified her status as a Hollywood powerhouse, yet the memory of her shocking runner-up finish in 2013 still sparks debate among fans and, according to her own admission, still harbors "a little animosity" for the star herself. Her participation was a pivotal moment, successfully transitioning her from a beloved Disney Channel star to a serious, multifaceted performer ready for the global stage.

The Disney Channel alum, who was just 16 at the time, was a consistent frontrunner, delivering routines that broke records and set new standards for celebrity contestants. Partnered with fan-favorite professional Valentin "Val" Chmerkovskiy, their partnership, affectionately dubbed "Team Valdaya," was a cultural phenomenon that cemented her early career trajectory and set the stage for her later, critically acclaimed roles in HBO's Euphoria and the Spider-Man franchise.

Zendaya: Full Biography & Dancing With The Stars Profile

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, known globally by her mononym Zendaya, is a celebrated American actress, singer, and dancer. Her DWTS run in 2013 was a critical step in her evolution from a teen idol to an A-list movie star. Below is a detailed look at her profile at the time of her participation and her career highlights.

  • Full Name: Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman
  • Date of Birth: September 1, 1996
  • Hometown: Oakland, California
  • Known For (Pre-DWTS): Starring as Rocky Blue on the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up (2010–2013).
  • DWTS Season: Season 16 (Spring 2013)
  • DWTS Professional Partner: Valentin "Val" Chmerkovskiy
  • DWTS Age: 16 years old (The youngest contestant ever at the time)
  • DWTS Placement: Runner-Up (2nd Place)
  • DWTS Winner: Country music star Kellie Pickler and professional partner Derek Hough
  • Highest Score: 30/30 (Achieved multiple times)
  • Career Impact: DWTS provided Zendaya with a massive, mainstream, and adult audience, allowing her to shed her strict "Disney Star" image and showcase her serious talent and work ethic.

The Record-Breaking Routines: How Zendaya Dominated Season 16

From the very first week, Zendaya and Val Chmerkovskiy established themselves as the team to beat. Her extensive background in dance, honed during her time on Shake It Up, gave her a technical edge that allowed her to tackle complex choreography with grace and maturity far beyond her 16 years. The judges—Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba—were often effusive in their praise, leading to an unprecedented string of high scores.

Perfect Scores: The Routines That Should Have Won The Mirror Ball

Team Valdaya was a perfect score machine, racking up multiple 30/30s throughout the competition. These routines are still frequently cited as some of the most memorable in the show’s nearly three-decade history. They demonstrated her versatility across various dance styles, from traditional ballroom to modern street dance.

  • The Hip-Hop: In a truly groundbreaking moment, Zendaya and Val performed a Hip-Hop routine. This was a significant departure from the show's usual focus on ballroom and Latin, and it is frequently noted as one of the first, if not the first, Hip-Hop routine to earn a perfect score of 30.
  • The Freestyle: Their grand finale Freestyle performance to Justin Bieber's "Beauty and a Beat" was a showstopper. It was dynamic, high-energy, and technically flawless, earning a perfect 30 and setting a high bar for the night.
  • The Trio Salsa: Partnering with Gleb Savchenko for the Trio Challenge, Zendaya delivered a fiery Salsa that showcased her incredible Latin dance skills, also earning a perfect 30.
  • The Samba & Instant Jive: Her mastery of the Latin dances was evident as she secured perfect scores for both her Samba and the high-pressure Instant Jive, where couples learn the choreography just hours before the live performance.

Their consistency was unmatched. Even their debut Contemporary routine to OneRepublic's "Feel Again" in Week 1 earned a stellar 24 points (8, 8, 8), immediately placing them at the top of the leaderboard and signaling her frontrunner status. Their lowest score of the season was a 22 for the Team Paso Doble, a testament to their overall dominance.

The Shocking Finale and The Animosity That Lingers

Despite her technical perfection and consistent high scores, Zendaya and Val Chmerkovskiy ultimately finished in second place. The Mirror Ball Trophy went to country singer Kellie Pickler and her partner, five-time champion Derek Hough. The result was a genuine shock to many viewers and judges, who felt Zendaya had been the superior dancer throughout the season. The outcome highlighted the persistent influence of the audience vote in the DWTS format, where popularity can sometimes outweigh technical merit.

A Decade of Reflection: Why The Loss Still Stings

In the years following the competition, Zendaya’s career exploded, moving from the Disney Channel to major Hollywood productions like The Greatest Showman, the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy, and her Emmy-winning role as Rue in Euphoria. Yet, the DWTS loss remains a notable point of contention for her.

In a recent interview, Zendaya confessed that she still holds "a little animosity" over the defeat, stating that losing the Mirror Ball Trophy was an event that truly "stings." This sentiment is shared by many fans who believe she was "robbed" of the title. The loss is not about the trophy itself, but rather the competitive spirit and the immense effort she put into the show at such a young age, facing intense pressure and stress.

The fact that Zendaya, now one of the highest-paid and most respected actresses in the world, still reflects on the loss speaks volumes about the intensity of the competition and the significance of that moment in her life. It underscores a key aspect of her personality: a fierce dedication to her craft and an inherent desire to excel at the highest level.

The DWTS Effect: Launching a Global Icon

While she didn't win the Mirror Ball, her time on DWTS was arguably more valuable than any trophy. The show provided a platform that successfully bridged the gap between her teen audience and a broader, more mature demographic. This transition was crucial.

Her work ethic, professionalism, and ability to master diverse styles—from the Quickstep to the Paso Doble—impressed Hollywood executives and fans alike. It proved she was more than just a Disney star; she was a serious, disciplined artist ready for complex roles. The massive exposure and positive reception from the DWTS audience directly contributed to her successful pivot away from children's television, paving the way for her to become the cultural icon and Hollywood trailblazer she is today.

The story of Zendaya on Dancing With The Stars is not one of failure, but of a young prodigy who dominated the competition, lost a popular vote, and then went on to conquer Hollywood. It remains a fascinating footnote in the career of a generational talent, a reminder that even the biggest stars have moments that fuel their competitive fire.

zendaya dancing with the stars
zendaya dancing with the stars

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