Zendaya Is *Still* Upset: An Inside Look At The Shocking DWTS Season 16 Finale And Where The Cast Is Now

The sixteenth season of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) remains one of the most talked-about and competitive seasons in the show's history, pitting a country music powerhouse against a burgeoning Disney Channel star in a finale for the ages. Premiering on March 18, 2013, Season 16 delivered a truly unpredictable contest that saw the Mirrorball Trophy go to Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough. However, the true shockwave from this season has continued to ripple into the present day, with runner-up Zendaya recently (as of late 2024) revealing she is still "harboring a little animosity" over the loss, proving the competition was far closer—and more emotionally charged—than viewers realized. This article dives deep into the star-studded lineup, the unforgettable dances, and the current status of the cast a decade later, with the most current updates from late 2024 and early 2025.

The core narrative of Season 16 was a generational battle: the raw, emotional performance quality of country singer Kellie Pickler versus the natural, technical brilliance of 16-year-old actress Zendaya. The season was also notable for introducing three professional dancers who would become mainstays: Sharna Burgess, Lindsay Arnold, and Gleb Savchenko, instantly injecting a fresh energy into the ballroom.

Dancing with the Stars Season 16: Full Celebrity and Professional Cast

Season 16, which aired in the spring of 2013, featured a diverse lineup of celebrities, from Olympic gold medalists to reality television icons. The show was hosted by Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke Charvet, with Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba serving as the judges. The following is the complete list of the 11 celebrity and professional dance couples:

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• Kellie Pickler (Country Music Singer, American Idol finalist) & Derek Hough (Winners)
• Zendaya (Disney Channel Star, Actress) & Valentin Chmerkovskiy (Runners-up)
• Aly Raisman (Olympic Gold Medalist Gymnast) & Mark Ballas (3rd Place)
• Jacoby Jones (NFL Wide Receiver) & Karina Smirnoff (4th Place)
• Ingo Rademacher (General Hospital Actor) & Kym Johnson (Eliminated 5th)
• Andy Dick (Actor & Comedian) & Sharna Burgess (Eliminated 6th)
• Sean Lowe (The Bachelor Star) & Peta Murgatroyd (Eliminated 7th)
• Victor Ortiz (Professional Boxer) & Lindsay Arnold (Eliminated 8th)
• Lisa Vanderpump (Reality TV Personality, RHOBH) & Gleb Savchenko (Eliminated 9th)
• Wynonna Judd (Country Music Legend) & Tony Dovolani (Eliminated 10th)
• Dorothy Hamill (Olympic Gold Medalist Figure Skater) & Tristan MacManus (Withdrew due to injury)

The Dances That Defined the Competition

The battle for the Mirrorball was defined by two couples: Kellie Pickler and Zendaya. While Zendaya, at just 16 years old, demonstrated an almost flawless technical ability, Kellie Pickler’s emotional connection to the music and her partner, Derek Hough, often swayed the judges and the audience.

Zendaya and Val Chmerkovskiy: The Technical Marvel

Zendaya and Val Chmerkovskiy were the season's technical frontrunners, consistently earning the highest scores. They became the first couple in DWTS history to receive a perfect score in four different dance styles, including their incredible Salsa, Hip-Hop, Samba, and Freestyle routines. Their youth and energy were unmatched, making them the clear favorites based on raw dance skill. Their Freestyle was a high-energy, technically demanding routine that many expected to secure the win.

Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough: The Emotional Connection

Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough were masters of emotional storytelling. Their most memorable performance was a Viennese Waltz set to "Flashdance... What a Feeling" which was later named one of the all-time top 10 dances in DWTS history. This routine perfectly encapsulated their partnership: beautiful, heartfelt, and technically clean. Their final Freestyle was a stunning Contemporary piece that focused on pure emotion and artistry, a stark contrast to Zendaya’s high-octane routine, and ultimately the performance that sealed the victory.

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Other notable performances included Aly Raisman and Mark Ballas’ high-scoring Contemporary dance, and Jacoby Jones and Karina Smirnoff’s entertaining routines, which brought a unique, fun energy to the ballroom every week.

Where Are They Now? The Season 16 Cast in 2025

The legacy of Dancing with the Stars Season 16 is perhaps best measured by the continued careers and current headlines of its top competitors, particularly in late 2024 and early 2025.

Zendaya: The Hollywood A-Lister Who Still Remembers the Loss

Zendaya has since become one of the biggest movie stars in the world, headlining massive franchises like Dune and Spider-Man, and earning Emmy Awards for her work on Euphoria. Despite her phenomenal success, the sting of the Season 16 loss is still a topic of conversation. In a late 2024 interview, Zendaya openly stated that she is "still harboring a little animosity" about losing the Mirrorball Trophy to Kellie Pickler a decade earlier. She even admitted to not having watched the show since her season, highlighting how intensely competitive the experience was for her. This surprising and candid update proves just how close and controversial the final result was.

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Kellie Pickler: A Triumphant Return to the Public Eye

After her victory, Kellie Pickler continued her successful music career and co-hosted the talk show Pickler & Ben. Her life took a tragic turn in February 2023 with the death of her husband, songwriter Kyle Jacobs. Following a period of understandable withdrawal from the public eye, Pickler made an emotional and widely reported return to the stage in April 2024. This performance, a tribute to Patsy Cline, marked her first public appearance since the tragedy, showcasing her strength and resilience in a deeply personal 2024 update.

The Professional Dancers: New Mainstays

Season 16 was a turning point for the professional cast, introducing three major new faces:

• Sharna Burgess: Paired with Andy Dick, Sharna quickly became a fan favorite and later won the Mirrorball in Season 27 with Bobby Bones. She is now a well-known television personality and mother.
• Lindsay Arnold: Her debut season was with Victor Ortiz. Lindsay went on to win Season 25 with Jordan Fisher and remains one of the most popular professional dancers, now focusing on her family life and business ventures.
• Gleb Savchenko: Paired with Lisa Vanderpump, Gleb has been a consistent presence on the show, known for his dramatic and high-energy routines.

Season 16 of Dancing with the Stars will forever be remembered for its incredibly close finale and the sheer talent of its top two competitors. The fact that the runner-up, Zendaya, is still talking about the loss over a decade later underscores its status as an all-time great season. The legacy is not just in Kellie Pickler's win, but in the launch of new professional careers and the enduring, emotional impact the competition had on its stars.