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Bella Thorne is reflecting on her time as a Disney Channel star, revealing how she and Zendaya faced unnecessary competition while filming Shake It Up.
The 28-year-old actress appeared on the Aug. 5 episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, where she spoke openly about her life after Disney, the pressure of becoming her family's primary provider at a young age, and the effect the entertainment industry had on her personal relationships. Thorne starred as CeCe Jones on Shake It Up from 2010 to 2013, alongside Zendaya, who played Rocky Blue.
During the interview, Thorne claimed that the entertainment industry often pits young women against each other by creating the perception that there is only room for one to succeed.
She explained that women are frequently encouraged to compete for limited opportunities, adding that the system pushes them to tear each other down instead of supporting one another. According to Thorne, this dynamic was present during their Disney Channel years, despite both actresses being just 12 years old at the time.
She said it was especially frustrating because they were supposed to portray best friends on screen while dealing with tension behind the scenes. Thorne described the situation as becoming particularly difficult during their early years on the show.
Despite those challenges, she revealed that she and Zendaya eventually decided to confront the issue directly. Thorne recalled that while filming a crossover episode with Good Luck Charlie, the pair quietly slipped away from the set during a live taping because they knew they had enough time before their next scenes.
The actresses used the opportunity to have an honest conversation about everything that had been happening between them. Thorne described the moment as rebellious but worthwhile, saying they openly discussed their frustrations and resolved the issues that had been building.
Looking back, she called the conversation one of the most meaningful experiences of her teenage years. It was, she said, the first time she truly experienced what it meant for two young women to communicate honestly and work through conflict together.
Thorne described it as one of the most genuine conversations she has ever had with another girl, adding that it strengthened their relationship despite the pressures surrounding them.
Since their Disney Channel days, both actresses have built successful careers. Zendaya has gone on to star in projects including The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Drama, and the third and final season of Euphoria. Meanwhile, Thorne most recently appeared in the 2025 film Find Your Friends.
