The Dirt: Zendaya

Zendaya has come a long way since her first hip-hop classes at 8 years old. Growing up in Oakland, CA, she danced with the troupe Future Shock Oakland. Now 17, the triple threat is unstoppable. She’s performed at the White House, starred in the Disney Channel series “Shake It Up” and cha-chaed her way to second place on “Dancing with the Stars” Season 16. Last summer, she dropped her debut single, “Replay,” complete with a killer video choreographed by The PULSE on Tour’s Ian Eastwood. This June, Zendaya’s dance skills will be on display in the new Disney Channel movie Zapped, where she plays Zoey Stevens, a high school dance teamer who discovers a unique power in her pocket—a smartphone app that can control the unruly boys in her life. Want more Zendaya? Read on for The Dirt.

What are you listening to right now?

Beyoncé’s whole album.

Favorite movie:

“Coming to America.”

Biggest guilty pleasure:

Häagen-Dazs coffee ice cream.

Who is your dance crush?

Channing Tatum…he can get down!

What are your pet peeves?

Chipped nail polish. No, no, no.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Winning Grammys and Nobel Peace Prizes

What was the best part of being on “DWTS”?

Being with Val, he’s my big bro for life!

What was your favorite part of being
on “Shake It Up”?

DANCING!!

Must-see TV show:

“Scandal.” I’m obsessed.

Favorite city in the world:

Oakland, my hometown.

What’s the strangest thing in your purse?

A jar of Nutella…DON’T JUDGE!