Anyone who has watched "DWTS" knows that it's no picnic, especially if you have a partner who pushes you to the limit like Val Chmerkovskiy. In his memoir, "I'll Never Change My Name: An Immigrant's American Dream from Ukraine to the USA to Dancing With the Stars," Chmerkovskiy opened up about his experience coaching Zendaya and why he adapted such a rigorous teaching style. "Zendaya was a special talent, and special talents had a special, higher bar to clear," the Ukranian-American dance pro wrote (via Heavy).

While Chmerkovskiy's tactics may have helped the "K.C. Undercover" star live up to her full potential, it was a struggle for some of her loved ones to watch her deal with the grueling "DWTS" treatment. In Chmerkovskiy's book, he recalled Zendaya's father, Kazembe Coleman, saying "I wanted to kill you, man. I'd never heard anybody speak to my daughter that way." But despite the tough love that Kazembe witnessed, he understood where Chmerkovoskiy was coming from. "But I couldn't criticize or say anything to you because you know what? That's exactly what I would have told her," Kazembe continued.

Despite everything they went through on their "DWTS" journey, Zendaya has nothing but kind words for Chmerkovskiy. "This guy right here is way more than just a partner," Zendaya posted on Instagram. "He's an inspiration, a role model, a teacher, but most importantly he's family." Awwww!