No, Zendaya didn’t win Dancing with the Stars season 16.
The reality dance competition show, Dancing with the Stars, debuted on ABC on June 1, 2005, mirroring the British series Strictly Come Dancing. Every celebrity is matched with a professional dancer, engaging in scheduled dances and vying for judges' scores and viewer votes against other pairs. Weekly, the couple with the lowest combined judges' scores and audience votes faces elimination until only the ultimate dance champions prevail.
Who is Zendaya?
Zendaya, an American actress and singer hailing from Oakland, California, derived her name from the Shona language, meaning "to give thanks." Her journey commenced as a child model for Macy's, Mervyns, and Old Navy before stepping into the spotlight. Notably recognized for her portrayal of Rocky Blue in the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up (2010), alongside talents like Bella Thorne, Kenton Duty, and Roshon Fegan, Zendaya initially delved into the entertainment world as a backup dancer.
Venturing further, she showcased her skills on the sixteenth season of Dancing with the Stars and subsequently took the helm as both producer and lead in the Disney Channel sitcom K.C. Undercover (2015). Her breakout in film arrived in 2017 when she portrayed Michelle "MJ" Jones in Spider-Man: Homecoming within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and starred as Anne Wheeler in the musical drama The Greatest Showman alongside luminaries such as Tom Holland, Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron.
Beyond her acting, singing, and dancing prowess, Zendaya is an ambassador for Convoy of Hope. Her multifaceted talents include writing a book, establishing her clothing line (Daya by Zendaya), and emerging as an exemplary role model for young girls worldwide.
What season was Zendaya on Dancing with the Stars?
Zendaya competed in the 16th season of Dancing with the Stars and coincidentally, she happened to be 16 years old back then. She partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy on Dancing with the Stars, forging a tight bond that persisted beyond the show, considering Val as akin to a brother.
Their partnership appeared formidable, earning consistent eights from judges on the first night and accumulating five perfect scores during the season. However, their journey culminated in a second-place finish during the finale, conceding victory to Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough, the latter now serving as a judge on the popular competition series.
Despite falling short of claiming the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, Zendaya, at 16 years old, etched her mark in history as the youngest celebrity to grace the Dancing with the Stars stage. Notably, her record was eventually surpassed by 14-year-old Willow Shields in season 20.
FAQs
A. Zendaya was only 16 years old during her stint at Dancing with the Stars.
A. Kim Kardashian did not win Dancing with the Stars season 7; she was in 11th place.
A. The winners of Dancing with the Stars season 1 were General Hospital actress Kelly Monaco and her partner, Alec Mazco.
