Were Bella Thorne And Zendaya Best Friends? Unpacking Their Disney Channel Journey

For anyone who grew up watching Disney Channel, the dynamic duo of CeCe Jones and Rocky Blue on "Shake It Up" was, in a way, a highlight. Their on-screen friendship, full of dance dreams and teenage antics, felt incredibly real, didn't it? So, it's pretty natural, you know, for fans to wonder if the bond between the actresses who brought these characters to life, Bella Thorne and Zendaya, was just as strong when the cameras stopped rolling. This question, "Were Bella Thorne and Zendaya best friends?", has, you see, continued to pop up for years, sparking a lot of curiosity among those who followed their careers from those early days.

The show itself, "Shake It Up," really showed Bella Thorne and Zendaya playing these characters, CeCe and Rocky, who were total best friends. They were, you know, pursuing their big dreams of stardom together, always supporting each other through thick and thin, at least on screen. It was, in some respects, a very compelling portrayal of young friendship, and that made people believe their off-screen connection might be just as deep, or even more so, wouldn't you say?

However, the truth about their real-life connection is, it's actually a bit more nuanced than what we saw every week on our televisions. It's not quite as simple as "total BFFs" right from the start, though their story is, in a way, rather interesting and shows how relationships can grow and change over time. We're going to take a closer look at their journey, from their first meeting to where their friendship stands now, and, you know, it might surprise you a little.

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Table of Contents

• Early Days on Shake It Up: A Rocky Start?
• Growing Closer Through the Seasons
• Beyond the Set: Their Off-Screen Bond
• A Friendship from Childhood?
• Still Pals: The Enduring Connection
• Personal Details: Bella Thorne and Zendaya
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Reflecting on Their Friendship Journey

Early Days on Shake It Up: A Rocky Start?

When the Disney Channel series "Shake It Up" first started filming back in 2010, the on-screen chemistry between Bella Thorne and Zendaya, who played best friends CeCe Jones and Rocky Blue, was, you know, pretty undeniable. They looked like they were having a blast, pursuing their shared dreams of stardom, and their characters were, in a way, totally inseparable. Yet, what many fans didn't realize at the time was that, in real life, their relationship wasn't quite mirroring their fictional counterparts, not initially, anyway.

Bella Thorne herself, in an interview with *Us Weekly*, openly shared that she and Zendaya weren't, in fact, friends at all during that first season of "Shake It Up." It's a bit surprising, isn't it, especially given how well they seemed to work together on screen? According to Thorne, the early days of filming were, you know, a bit challenging. Things weren't always, as they say, "rainbows and butterflies" for the two young stars.

It turns out that, quite unfortunately, there was a dynamic at play behind the scenes that made forming a friendship difficult. During those initial days of filming their show, Disney executives, according to *Us Weekly*, actually pitted them against each other. This kind of situation, where two young talents are, you know, seemingly put in competition, can really make it tough for a genuine connection to form, wouldn't you agree? It's a rather common thing in show business, sadly, and it certainly didn't help their budding relationship at the time.

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Growing Closer Through the Seasons

Despite the initial challenges and the somewhat difficult environment they found themselves in during the first season of "Shake It Up," things did, you know, begin to change for Bella Thorne and Zendaya. Thorne, in her interview with *Us Weekly*, admitted that it took them those other two seasons to really find their footing with each other. It wasn't an instant bond, which, honestly, is pretty typical for many relationships, isn't it? Friendships often take time to grow and, you know, develop into something solid.

Both actresses have, in fact, stated that their friendship began to truly blossom as they spent more time together, working side by side. It's like, you know, when you're forced to spend so much time with someone, you either clash terribly or you eventually find common ground and, you know, a way to connect. For Bella and Zendaya, it was the latter. They were, you know, working together on a daily basis, sharing a unique experience that few others could understand, and that kind of shared journey can really bring people together, don't you think?

By the time the series was nearing its end, their bond had, you know, undeniably strengthened. They had moved past the initial awkwardness and the competitive atmosphere, and, you know, a genuine connection had started to form. It's pretty cool, actually, to see how they navigated those early difficulties to build something real. Their characters on the show, CeCe and Rocky, had a close bond that remained solid throughout their time on the show, and it seems, in a way, their real-life connection eventually caught up, which is rather nice.

Beyond the Set: Their Off-Screen Bond

Once Bella Thorne and Zendaya moved past those initial hurdles during the first season of "Shake It Up," their friendship really started to flourish, not just on screen but, you know, in their actual lives too. It's almost as if the challenges they faced made their eventual bond even stronger, wouldn't you say? They did, in fact, act like besties off the set, which is pretty much what fans hoped for all along, you know?

There's a really sweet quote from Bella Thorne from 2011, where she told the BBC, "Z is not even my best friend. She's my sister and I couldn't do anything without her." That's, you know, a pretty powerful statement, isn't it? Calling someone your sister suggests a bond that goes beyond just being a friend; it implies a deep, unbreakable connection, a kind of family tie. It's, like, a very strong declaration of affection and reliance, and it certainly paints a picture of a very close relationship, more or less.

Even after "Shake It Up" wrapped up in November 2013, Bella and Zendaya, you know, apparently remained close friends. This is often the true test of a celebrity friendship, whether it lasts once the show or project is over, isn't it? They were, in fact, often seen accompanying each other to red carpet events, like the "Blended" premiere in May, which is, you know, a pretty clear sign of continued closeness. They weren't just colleagues; they were, in a way, genuinely choosing to spend time together, which is a nice thing to see.

A Friendship from Childhood?

It's interesting to consider that for some time, there was a popular belief that Bella Thorne and Zendaya had, you know, been friends since childhood. This idea really took hold among fans, suggesting a long-standing bond that predated their "Shake It Up" days. Some reports even suggested that Zendaya’s closest friends included Bella Thorne, and that she had been best friends with her since childhood, which is, you know, a pretty significant claim, isn't it?

The story that circulated was that they actually met at an audition when Zendaya was seven years old and Bella was six. This would mean their connection stretched back quite a bit, even before their big Disney break. They were, you know, both young hopefuls in the entertainment world, and meeting at such a tender age for a commercial audition would certainly create a unique shared experience, wouldn't it? It's, like, a very early start to what would become a very public friendship, more or less.

This narrative painted a picture of "both BFFs since childhood," with Bella Thorne and Zendaya being, you know, the most obvious friend relationship. They did, you know, have a lot in common, including the fact they both appeared in movies meant for a teenage audience, which, you know, probably gave them a lot to talk about. While the *Us Weekly* interview from Bella Thorne suggests their friendship really solidified during "Shake It Up," the idea of a childhood connection, you know, adds another layer to their story, even if it's a bit of a mixed message from the various accounts.

Still Pals: The Enduring Connection

Even years after "Shake It Up" aired its finale in 2013, fans have, you know, consistently wanted to know if Bella Thorne and Zendaya are still friends. It's a question that, you know, seems to pop up quite often, showing just how much their on-screen bond resonated with people. The good news is that, according to various accounts, their friendship has, in a way, remained strong, which is pretty cool, isn't it?

A pretty clear sign of their ongoing connection came when Zendaya, you know, came to her friend's defense on social media. This happened as recently as a year ago, proving that she and Bella are, in fact, still pals. When someone publicly defends you, especially on a platform like social media, it's, you know, a pretty strong indicator of loyalty and care, isn't it? It shows that the bond is still there, and that, you know, they've got each other's backs, which is a very nice thing in any friendship.

It's also been noted that Bella Thorne and Zendaya are, you know, great friends, even with the latter's high-profile relationship. Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, as she is fully known, and Bella Thorne have, you know, maintained their bond. There's even a mention that Bella is yet to publicly acknowledge her relationship with Zendaya's beau, Tom Holland, which is, you know, a rather specific detail that highlights their continued connection, even if it's through a lack of public comment on a particular aspect. This suggests that, you know, their friendship is deep enough to navigate various personal milestones and public attention, which is pretty impressive, actually.

Personal Details: Bella Thorne and Zendaya

For those curious about the individuals behind these iconic Disney Channel characters, here's a quick look at some personal details for both Bella Thorne and Zendaya, who have, you know, gone on to have rather successful careers beyond their early days.

Frequently Asked Questions

It's pretty clear that fans have a lot of questions about the friendship between Bella Thorne and Zendaya. Here are some common ones that people often ask, you know, trying to get the full picture.

Were Bella Thorne and Zendaya friends during Shake It Up?

According to Bella Thorne herself, they weren't actually friends during the first season of "Shake It Up." It took them, you know, the other two seasons to really become friends. Disney executives, in a way, pitted them against each other early on, which made things a bit difficult, you know, for a genuine friendship to form right away.

Are Bella Thorne and Zendaya still friends today?

Yes, it appears they are still friends. Zendaya, you know, came to Bella's defense on social media as recently as a year ago, which shows they are still pals. They have, in a way, maintained their friendship even years after "Shake It Up" ended, which is pretty nice to hear, isn't it?

How did Bella Thorne and Zendaya meet?

While some reports suggested they met as young children at an audition, the primary source indicates their friendship truly began to develop during their time filming "Shake It Up." So, you know, they met through their work on the show, and their bond grew from there, which is a pretty common way for colleagues to become friends, you know?

Reflecting on Their Friendship Journey

So, when we look back at the question, "Were Bella Thorne and Zendaya best friends?", the answer is, you know, a bit more layered than a simple yes or no. They played best friends on "Shake It Up," pursuing their dreams of stardom, and their on-screen bond was, in a way, incredibly convincing. However, Bella Thorne revealed that in real life, they weren't friends at all during the very first season, which is, you know, quite a surprise for many, isn't it?

It seems that the early days of filming were, you know, quite challenging, with Disney executives, as some sources suggest, pitting them against each other. But, you know, over the course of those other two seasons, their relationship truly began to change. They found common ground, and, you know, a genuine friendship started to blossom, which is a testament to their ability to connect despite initial hurdles.

Since the finale of "Shake It Up" in 2013, fans have, you know, continued to be curious about their bond. The good news is that, despite the early difficulties, Bella and Zendaya did, in fact, become very close. Bella even said Zendaya was like a sister to her, which is, you know, a pretty strong declaration. They remained close friends, often attending red carpet events together, and as recently as a year ago, Zendaya publicly defended Bella on social media, showing that they are, you know, still very much pals. Their journey, you see, is a rather interesting example of how relationships can grow and evolve, even under the spotlight.