Zendaya’s Dancing with the Stars appearance: a verified timeline
Zendaya competed on season 16 of Dancing with the Stars in 2013, partnered with professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy. The season aired in the fall of 2013 on ABC, and Zendaya and Val reached the finals, finishing as runners-up to Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman and her partner. This verified timeline outlines when she danced, her weekly scores, and notable professional milestones related to the show, emphasizing roles and facts that remain relevant over time.
Why this topic remains evergreen
Search interest in Zendaya’s television background is consistently fueled by her ongoing film and series work, along with retrospective TV coverage. Queries about her DWTS season resurface regularly as new audiences discover her catalog. This evergreen framing clarifies when she appeared, how she performed, and why the season still matters to her career, without relying on news cycles or limited-time promotions.
Zendaya’s DWTS season at a glance
Below are verified details about Zendaya’s participation, including season year, air dates, notable partners, and outcomes. The table summarizes key data points that are unlikely to change and are frequently referenced in biographies, retrospectives, and Q&A content.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Season 16 | DWTS official records, network announcement |
| Year | 2013 | Network press release, recap archives |
| Air dates (key) | Premiere: Sept 23, 2013; Finals: Nov 26, 2013 | ABC schedule, entertainment archives |
| Professional partner | Val Chmerkovskiy | DWTS cast listings, partner announcements |
| Result | Runners-up (2nd place) | Season finale results, network reporting |
| Notable dances | Cha-cha-cha, Tango, Argentine Tango, Samba | Episode recaps, judge commentary |
Week-by-week context (high-information summary)
Across the season, Zendaya regularly scored high marks for technique and performance quality. She and Val earned strong weekly rankings, advanced multiple times through dance-offs, and were praised for quick improvement in styles such as the Argentine tango. Their run included several memorable nights, culminating in the season finale where they secured the runner-up spot behind Aly Raisman. These verified milestones are often referenced when discussing her television background.
How we confirm DWTS participation and results
Primary sources include DWTS press releases from 2013, ABC network recaps, and reputable entertainment outlets that reported results contemporaneously. Cross-referencing these sources reduces ambiguity around dates, placements, and partner information. In cases where audience polls or judge scores are cited, we distinguish between confirmed results and contemporaneous speculation.
Zendaya’s career context beyond DWTS
While DWTS introduced Zendaya to a broad television audience, her professional identity extends far beyond the ballroom. She has since built a substantial filmography and portfolio that anchors her long-term public profile. Understanding her DWTS season in this context clarifies why it remains a frequently asked question and how it fits into a larger career framework.
Key milestones at a glance
- 2013: Competes on Dancing with the Stars Season 16 with partner Val Chmerkovskiy.
- Fall 2013: Show premieres September 23; season finale airs November 26.
- Result: Finishes as runners-up to Aly Raisman, widely recognized as a strong start to her public-facing career.
- Legacy: DWTS exposure contributes to broader recognition before major film and series roles.
Frequently asked questions, clarified
- When exactly did Zendaya dance on Dancing with the Stars? She appeared in Season 16, which aired in fall 2013.
- Who was her partner? Val Chmerkovskiy, a recurring professional partner on the show.
- How did they place? They were runners-up, finishing second to Aly Raisman.
- Is her placement verified? Yes, results are documented in DWTS press materials and credible recaps from 2013.
- Why does this keep coming up? Ongoing interest in her filmography and career trajectory leads to retrospective questions about early television exposure.
Bottom line
Zendaya competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2013 during Season 16, airing in the fall, partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy, and finished as runners-up. These verified details address the core question and provide durable context for understanding her television background within her broader career.
Sources and reliability note
Information in this explainer is drawn from DWTS official announcements, network schedules, and contemporaneous entertainment coverage that reported season results. Where estimates or references appear, they are clearly contextualized and tied to source type to support accuracy and transparency.
Tags
Zendaya, Dancing with the Stars, Season 16, 2013, celebrity television, career milestones