Long before she was swinging through New York as MJ or winning Emmys for Euphoria, Zendaya was a sixteen-year-old girl in sequins, trying not to trip over her own feet in front of millions.
Most people today see Zendaya as this untouchable, polished icon of Hollywood. But back in 2013, she was the "Disney kid" on Zendaya Dancing with the Stars, fighting for a Mirrorball trophy that eventually slipped through her fingers.
Honestly, the fact that she didn't win remains one of the most debated finales in the show's history. Even now, over a decade later, the internet hasn't quite moved on—and apparently, neither has she.
The Youngest Powerhouse in the Ballroom
When season 16 kicked off, Zendaya was just 16 years old. At the time, she was the youngest contestant to ever compete on the show. She was paired with Val Chmerkovskiy, and the chemistry was instant, but not in a romantic way—they were both total perfectionists.
They were basically the "A-students" of the ballroom.
While other contestants were struggling with basic footwork, Zendaya was delivering routines that looked professional. Her Contemporary dance in Week 1 to OneRepublic’s "Feel Again" set a bar so high it was almost a disadvantage. When you start at a 10, there’s nowhere to go.
Performance Stats that Still Look Crazy
If you look at the raw numbers from that season, it’s easy to see why fans were so heated about the result.
- Average Score: 27.3
- Perfect Scores: She racked up multiple perfect 30s throughout the season.
- Leaderboard Status: She was almost always at the top.
In the finale, she actually led the judges' leaderboard with 95 points, while her main rival, Kellie Pickler, had 94.
What Really Happened in the Finale?
So, if she had the highest scores, how did she lose?
It came down to the Freestyle. In the world of Dancing with the Stars, the Freestyle is the "make or break" moment. Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough performed a contemporary-style freestyle that was, frankly, a masterpiece. It was emotional, raw, and it grabbed the "middle America" heartstrings that power the show’s voting bloc.
Zendaya’s freestyle was fun. It was hip-hop heavy, energetic, and very her. But many critics and fans felt it lacked the "wow factor" needed to seal the deal against a country music darling like Kellie.
The voting audience for DWTS has historically skewed older. In 2013, Zendaya was a Disney star on Shake It Up. She had a massive young following, but they weren't necessarily the ones picking up the phone to vote on a Tuesday night. Kellie Pickler, an American Idol alum with a built-in country fanbase, was the perfect storm for a DWTS win.
The "Animosity" She Still Carries
Recently, Zendaya admitted to W Magazine that she’s "still harboring a little animosity" about the loss.
"I was only 16 years old, and it was highly stressful," she said.
It’s a surprisingly candid admission for a star who usually keeps things very "PR-friendly." She talked about how she took the competition way too seriously and wishes she had just enjoyed the ride instead of stressing over every toe point.
Think about it: she was a teenager under a microscope, working 10-hour days, and then lost by a hair. That stays with a person. She’s even mentioned that she doesn't watch the show anymore because it triggers those stressful memories.
The Val Factor
We also have to talk about Val Chmerkovskiy. He was tough on her. He's gone on record saying he treated her like a pro, not a kid. In one rehearsal, she actually accidentally gave him stitches! That’s the level of intensity we’re talking about.
While they remained close for years, that "perfectionist" environment clearly left a mark on her. She’s a Virgo, after all—losing a competition you dominated is practically a physical wound.
Why the Loss Was Actually a Win
If Zendaya had won, she’d be just another name on the list of Mirrorball champions. Instead, she became the "one who got away."
Her career trajectory after the show was vertical.
- Music: She dropped her self-titled debut album shortly after the finale.
- Fashion: She leveraged the ballroom glamour into a high-fashion pivot.
- Acting: She moved from Disney to Spider-Man and Euphoria.
By not winning, she avoided the "reality TV star" stigma that sometimes sticks to winners. She stayed hungry.
Actionable Insights for DWTS Fans
If you’re still rewatching her Jive or Argentine Tango on YouTube (and let's be real, we all are), there are a few things to keep in mind about how the show works today versus back then.
- The "Freestyle" Rule: If you're rooting for a contestant, the freestyle is the only thing that matters. Technical skill wins the season; the freestyle wins the trophy.
- Demographics Matter: Performance quality is only 50% of the battle. The "storyline" and fan connection are what drive the votes.
- Early Success is Dangerous: Scoring too high too early can make the audience feel like a contestant "doesn't need" their votes.
Zendaya’s run on Dancing with the Stars proved she was a superstar long before the rest of the world caught on. Whether she has the trophy or not, she’s clearly the one who had the last laugh.
