Bella Thorne: Disney Channel made her and Zendaya "beg for one spot" at age 12

Bella Thorne told the "Call Her Daddy" podcast on 5 August that Disney Channel pitted her and Zendaya against each other for the same opportunities when they were 12, despite casting them as best friends on "Shake It Up" (three seasons, 75 episodes, 2010–2013). "We were supposed to be best friends who played best friends," Thorne said. Neither Zendaya nor Disney has responded. (Variety, 5 August 2026)