Fans of Dancing with the Stars have been asking the same question all season long: where’s Zac Efron? With his younger brother Dylan Efron competing on the show’s 34th season, you’d think the High School Musical star would be front and center in the audience. Well, Dylan is finally setting the record straight.
The reality TV star, who won Season 3 of The Traitors earlier this year, opened up about his famous brother’s absence during recent press interviews. According to Dylan, it’s not that Zac doesn’t want to be there—it’s simply a matter of timing and work commitments.
When asked about Zac’s whereabouts during Dedication Night, Dylan revealed his brother was traveling at the time. “He wanted to be here. He was traveling, but he was like ‘As soon as it’s over, send me the tape,'” Dylan shared. The comment shows just how invested Zac is in his brother’s Dancing with the Stars journey, even if he can’t physically be there to witness it live.
Despite the physical distance, Dylan made it clear that Zac’s support hasn’t wavered. “Hey, he’s doing his thing,” Dylan told Extra after a recent live show, confirming that his brother has been “supporting me every day.” That kind of encouragement means everything when you’re learning complicated choreography and performing in front of millions of viewers each week.
The connection between the Efron brothers was on full display during Dedication Night on October 14. Dylan performed a stunning contemporary routine to “Rewrite the Stars” from The Greatest Showman—a song originally performed by Zac Efron and Zendaya. While the musical choice was a clear nod to his older brother’s work, Dylan actually dedicated the emotional performance to his five-year-old sister, Olivia, who even joined him on the ballroom floor.
The dance earned Dylan his highest score of the season so far—an impressive 36 out of 40 from the judges. Meanwhile, cameras panned to show Dylan’s other family members in the audience, including his parents and younger siblings. Naturally, Zac’s absence didn’t go unnoticed by eagle-eyed fans.
Social media quickly lit up with disappointed viewers. One Reddit user wrote, “It would be nice if Zac came,” while another on X expressed feeling “robbed” without a Zac Efron cameo during the performance. Some fans even joked about the situation, though most understood that work obligations sometimes take priority.
After the show, Dylan explained in press interviews that Zac was currently traveling, with many assuming it was work-related. Sources also suggested that Zac might be in the middle of filming a movie, making it difficult for him to take time away from set.
Looking ahead, there’s still hope for a Zac Efron appearance before the season wraps up. Earlier in the season, Dylan teased the possibility, saying “We’ll see” when asked if viewers might spot Zac in the crowd. He also mentioned that Zac attended a Dancing with the Stars taping years ago and loved the energy of the live shows.
For now, Dylan is focused on improving each week with his professional partner, Daniella Karagach. With the finale scheduled for November 25, there are still several weeks left in the competition—plenty of time for Zac to make a surprise appearance and cheer on his little brother in person.
