Before gracing the silver screen with leading roles in cinematic marvels like "Dune: Part Two" and Marvel Studios' iconic "Spider-Man" trilogy, Zendaya soared to fame as a teenage sensation on Disney Channel's hit series "Shake It Up" and "K.C. Undercover." However, a fascinating revelation from a former casting executive at the network sheds light on a potential missed opportunity—Zendaya's auditions for the enchanting "Descendants" franchise.
Cornelia Frame, a former vice president of casting and talent relations at Disney Channel, disclosed in a captivating interview on the "Magical Rewind" podcast that Zendaya was no stranger to the audition room for "Descendants," striving for an unspecified role that held immense significance. "Zendaya auditioned countless times for 'Descendants,' and it was a monumental moment," Frame reminisced. "Her persistence, auditioning repeatedly, spoke volumes of her desire. Sadly, fate had other plans."
Frame emphasized the immense effort and dedication Zendaya poured into each audition, lamenting that "it's simply one of life's unpredictable turns." She went on to philosophize, "Reflecting now, I wonder, 'Would 'Spider-Man' have crossed her path had 'Descendants' worked out?' Life unfolds in mysterious ways, often leading us to equally stunning opportunities when one door closes."
Despite missing out on a spot in the "Descendants" universe, Zendaya's Disney Channel résumé already boasted two original movies—the 2012 hit "Frenemies" and the 2014 charmer "Zapped." Furthermore, she lent her vocal talents to songs in the spectacular 2017 musical "The Greatest Showman," sharing the stage with legends like Hugh Jackman and fellow Disney alum Zac Efron.
Meanwhile, the "Descendants" trilogy, starring Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, and Cameron Boyce as the offspring of iconic Disney villains, captivated audiences from 2015 onwards, with two sequels following suit in 2017 and 2019. Zendaya's journey, though, took a different, equally dazzling path, proving that every detour is a step towards greatness.
