Oakland-bred Zendaya leads ‘Dancing with the Stars’

She may be just 16 years old, but Bay Area native Zendaya Coleman continues to wow the ballroom this season on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

The Oakland-born Disney Channel star – the youngest competitor ever in the show’s 16-season history – earned a 26 out of 30 for her fast-paced Jive Monday night, earning her the evening’s highest score for the second consecutive week.

She also advanced to this Monday’s “Prom Night” competition on the strength of her performance.

Judge Bruno Tonioli told her after the dance that a star was born big time:

“You hit some lines that are absolutely breathtaking on Week 2. I tell you, you have so much to live up to, because you’re setting a standard and expectation from us that are right up there.”

Judge Len Goodman said Coleman, who uses her first name professionally, was fantastic on the dance floor, while judge Carrie Ann Inaba said the Shake It Up star was in complete control of her routine and killed it.

Following the performance, Zendaya, who currently resides in Los Angeles, told host Brooke Burke Charvet on Monday that while competing at 16 is tough, age is nothing but a number:

“I can work just as hard and I can do just as good as the big kids, you know.”

During last Monday’s season premiere, Inaba and Tonioli acknowledged Zendaya’s maturity for a 16-year-old following her elegant Contemporary routine, which earned her and partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy a 24 out of 30.

They currently lead the pack with a combined total of 50 out of 60.

Country music singer Kellie Pickler and her partner, three-time DWTS champion Derek Hough, are right behind them with a combined total of 47. The couple also earned a 26 for their Jazz routine Monday night.

Comedian D.L. Hughley and his partner, San Francisco’s own Cheryl Burke, round out the leaderboard with a combined score of 28.

Olympic figure skater Dorothy Hamill unexpectedly withdrew from the competition during Tuesday night’s results show upon advice from her spinal surgeon due to a severe strain in her lower back.

She received a standing ovation from those in attendance following her announcement and said it would be unfair to see one of the celebrities go home while she advances:

“I can’t do him [my partner, Tristan MacManus] justice, and these are the most amazing people who want to be here. And it’s not that I don’t want to be here, but I wish I could give it my all and I can’t.”