Why Zac Efron got ‘defensive’ after his viral DWTS reaction

Dylan Efron has revealed that his brother Zac Efron felt “defensive” after his reaction to a Dancing With the Stars score went viral online.

Speaking on the Smith Sisters Live podcast, Dylan said he initially found the moment funny but later realised that Zac felt his reaction had been misunderstood by viewers.

Dylan, 33, explained that Zac, 38, attended the semi-finals in November to support him and believed his brother had delivered a strong performance. He said Zac was surprised by how people interpreted the brief on-camera moment.

The clip showed Zac turning to their mother after Dylan and his professional dance partner Daniella Karagach received a score of 27 out of 30 for their tango routine, which was set to Prince’s 1983 hit ‘I Would Die 4 U’. Social media users speculated that Zac appeared confused by the score.

Dylan said Zac actually felt the judges should have scored the performance higher and that this was the real reason behind his reaction. “It was funny regardless,” Dylan added, but said Zac wanted to clear up the misunderstanding.

Zac later made a rare public appearance on the show on 18 November, where he was seen smiling in the audience while holding their younger sister, Olivia.

Dylan went on to reach the finals of the competition alongside Karagach. The series was eventually won by Robert Irwin and his professional partner Witney Carson on 25 November.