Where Are The Stars Of Dance Moms Now?

As I delve into the lives of these remarkable women who once graced our screens as the stars of “Dance Moms“, I am truly awestruck by their resilience and determination. Each one of them has taken their unique experiences from the show and used it as a stepping stone to carve out their own paths, leaving an indelible mark in their respective fields.

The limelight in entertainment is temporary – this truth is evident to anyone associated with it. While some actors and personalities maintain their popularity over long periods, others see their fame dwindle, hit career lows, or vanish entirely. For reality TV stars, the shine often fades quickly. The top-tier reality shows can catapult contestants into stardom, while poorer reality programs serve as a final stop on the fame journey for some, and in worst cases, taint them with an enduring sense of disgrace.

The reality show “Dance Moms,” airing from 2011 to 2019 on Lifetime, didn’t escape the limelight either. It centered around Abby Lee Miller’s dance studio in Pittsburgh (and later LA), where both the young dancers and their mothers gained fame and infamy. Some of these “Dance Moms” have ascended to stardom, others live more ordinary lives, while one served time in prison. Here’s a rundown on what the parents and kids from “Dance Moms” are up to now.

Abby Lee Miller

As a gamer putting myself in Abby Lee Miller’s shoes, I’d say:

On the reality show “Dance Moms,” Miller found herself facing legal issues, with Kelly Hyland and her daughter, Paige, filing suits against her for assault and other accusations. Despite these cases being dismissed, Miller was implicated in bankruptcy fraud charges in 2015 due to misrepresentations about her income from “Dance Moms” merchandise and agreements. She received a sentence of 366 days in federal prison and served eight months before moving to a halfway house.

2018 saw a significant downturn as Miller was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a form of cancer. This necessitated spinal surgery and left her confined to a wheelchair. In 2020, Lifetime severed connections with Miller following allegations by two ex-dancers’ mothers that she had made racially insensitive remarks. As a result, the network scrapped a spin-off titled “Abby’s Virtual Dance-Off” and declared that Miller would be omitted from future episodes of “Dance Moms.

Maddie Ziegler

Maddie Ziegler, a remarkable talent alongside her younger sister Kenzie, gained fame on the show for six seasons. This recognition propelled her from being a dancer on “Dance Moms” to an actor and author in Hollywood. Her journey started when singer Sia selected Ziegler to dance in the 2014 music video for “Chandelier.” Further collaborations with Sia ensued, including videos for “Cheap Thrills” and “The Greatest,” along with guest appearances on TV and supporting roles in films like “The Book of Henry” and “The Fallout.” Maddie Ziegler was then chosen by Steven Spielberg to portray Velma in his remake of “West Side Story.” After this breakthrough performance, she landed roles in “Fitting In” and “My Old Ass.

Beyond her dance and acting roles, Ziegler has also worked as a model for brands such as Ralph Lauren, Target, and others, and she’s introduced numerous fashion lines and products, including collaborations with her sister and former “Dance Moms” colleague Mackenzie on collections for American Eagle Outfitters. In 2017, she achieved bestselling author status with the release of her memoir, “The Maddie Diaries,” which was later followed by a series of young adult novels starting with “The Audition” that same year.

JoJo Siwa

It can be said that JoJo Siwa, a well-known figure who gained prominence on “Dance Moms,” stepped away from the show during Season 6 and embarked on an unstoppable journey towards fame across various platforms. Her massive social media presence – 11 million followers on Instagram and 45 million on TikTok – propelled her initial success with the single “Boomerang,” which garnered over a billion views online. Subsequent events included concert tours, television series like “Lip Sync Battle Shorties” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” guest appearances on “The Masked Singer,” and more. Additionally, Siwa launched numerous products, with her line of bows reportedly selling over 60 million at Claire’s in 2019. In 2020, Time magazine recognized her as one of the 100 Most Influential People.

In 2021, Siwa publicly identified as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and released her single “Karma” in 2024, which eloquently depicted a significant part of her journey from childhood to becoming a 20-year-old. The song charted in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs list, but it and its associated EP, “Guilty Pleasure,” were not universally well-received. Criticism intensified when Siwa stated her intention to establish a new music genre she called “gay pop.” However, she later clarified this statement.

Chloe Lukasiak

Chloe Lukasiak’s journey on “Dance Moms” ended unexpectedly during Season 4 due to disagreements between her mother, Christi Lukasiak, and Abby Lee Miller, causing them to depart from the show. Later in Season 7, she made a temporary comeback as part of the Irreplaceables, a team comprising former ALDC members under the guidance of Cheryl Burke. Since then, Chloe has continued her dance career and other endeavors, while also sharing candid accounts of her time on the show.

Later, Lukasiak went on to dance with multiple dance companies, such as Studio 19 Dance Complex, and appeared at events like the VIP Dance Events convention. She also posed for brands like Oxyje and Tutu DuMonde, and strutted her stuff on the runway for Max Azria BCBG in 2016. The world of movies and television wasn’t far behind, with roles in films such as “Center Stage: On Pointe” and “Camp Arrowhead,” and appearances on YouTube and promotional programs for Disney and Vic.

In 2018, Chloe Lukasiak released a book titled “Girl on Pointe: Chloe’s Guide to Taking on the World,” which delved into her experiences on and beyond the hit show “Dance Moms.” Since 2019, she has been studying at Pepperdine. She teamed up with JoJo Siwa and others for a “Dance Moms” reunion special in 2024. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight (as reported by People), Chloe shared that she was still working through her feelings about the show, stating, “It was incredibly difficult. I believe when you’re young, you are very open and absorb everything people say to you.

Nia Sioux

Nia Sioux stayed the longest as a dancer on “Dance Moms,” having been part of it for seven seasons before her exit. A skillful artist who some felt was often underestimated by Miller, Sioux now seems to have completely separated herself from the show and has thrived in numerous platforms, attracting attention.

Between 2015 and 2018, Sioux put out three singles – among them were “Slay” and “Star in Your Own Life.” In 2016, she made her off-Broadway debut in the show “Trip of Love,” a tribute to the music of the ’60s. After that, she landed acting roles, such as a year-long stint on “The Bold and the Beautiful” and recurring appearances on “Sunnyside Up.” She also hosted a series on Facebook Watch called “Dance with Nia,” and managed to squeeze in studying American literature and culture at UCLA.

In independent films such as “I Am Mortal”, roles were pivotal and eventually led to prominent projects like the 2024 remake of “Mean Girls” and the Apple+ series “The Lady in the Lake”. Despite passing on the “Dance Moms” reunion special, Sioux continues her connections with former dance colleagues, even recruiting Mackenzie Ziegler for a series of mental health videos she directed, in collaboration with the Ad Council, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and JED Foundation.

Mackenzie Ziegler

Kenzie Ziegler, together with her elder sibling Maddie, appeared on the first six seasons of “Dance Moms” before deciding to leave. Since then, Kenzie has primarily pursued a musical career under the name Mackenzie Ziegler. She’s also ventured into acting, much like her sister Maddie does. Her debut album, titled “Mack Z,” was released in 2014, and in 2018 she put out another album, “Phases,” which included a songwriting partnership with Sia on the track “Wonderful.

In 2015, Ziegler made her acting debut on the show “Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn,” where she worked alongside Aidan Gallagher from “The Umbrella Academy.” Later, she appeared in the Brat TV series “Total Eclipse.” Other roles included an independent horror film titled “Let Us In” with Tobin Bell, a star of “Saw,” and a 2020 short for Disney Channel called “Zombies 2: The Collab,” where she teamed up again with her former co-stars from “Dance Moms,” including Chloe Lukasiak, Nia Sioux, Kendall Vertes, among others.

In 2022, the Ziegler sisters joined forces for their podcast named “Take 20 with Maddie and Kenzie.” As Mackenzie shared with E! News, this collaboration provided them a platform to showcase a more authentic and personal version of themselves, stating, “We believe that people were eager to see a more genuine side of us.” Additionally, both sisters opted out of the 2024 “Dance Moms” reunion special.

Melissa Gisoni

As a gamer, I can relate to a mom like Melissa Giosoni, proud of her daughters Ziegler’s accomplishments on the dance show. Sometimes, this pride led to friction with Abby Lee Miller and other moms, who saw my constant praise as boastful or thought I was trying to curry favor with Miller for better performance slots. However, I was smart enough to realize when my girls were no longer thriving in the show, and I made the tough decision to step away during Season 6. In a piece for Cosmopolitan in 2016, I wrote, “When my kids aren’t happy anymore, I don’t care about anything else.

After her stint on “Dance Moms”, Gisoni engaged in various activities. One of these was co-hosting a parenting and pop culture podcast titled “Because Mom Said So” alongside Kelly Hyland, Jill Vertes, and Holly Hatcher-Frazier. This podcast ran from 2020 to 2024, with discussions centered around parenting and pop culture trends.

Christi Lukasiak

As a gamer, I used to be a regular on Dance Moms, from Seasons 1 to 4, and my time there was filled with tension with some of the other main cast members. I had my fair share of arguments, especially with Abby Miller, who seemed to favor Maddie and Kenzie Ziegler. But it wasn’t just her; I also clashed with Melissa Gisoni, the Ziegler sisters’ mom. In an interview with People in 2017, I spoke about standing up to Miller. “The drama,” I said, “stems from Abby. She’s got a strong personality, and it’s tough to push back against her.

Since departing alongside Chloe in Season 4, Lukasiak has found herself engrossed in numerous ventures. She teamed up with Kelly Hyland, mother of Brooke and Paige Hyland, to co-host a “Dance Moms” retrospective podcast titled “Back to the Barre.” Furthermore, she manages Adulting 101, a company dedicated to equipping Generation Z women with essential life skills. Lukasiak is also deeply involved with YourMomCares, a nonprofit organization established by the mothers of celebrities such as Jonah Hill and Adam Levine, which advocates for improved mental healthcare access among young people.

Elliana Walmsley

Elliana Walmsley’s stint on “Dance Moms” might have been short-lived, yet she effectively leveraged her fame into a multifaceted career, both onstage and off. Joining the ALDC mini team in Season 6, she moved up to the elite team in Season 7, but parted ways at year’s end, making occasional comebacks in Season 8. By then, she had already seized the limelight, touring with fellow “Dance Moms” singer Maesi Caes and appearing in the Off-Broadway play “Dance Divas Nutcracker.

Following her appearances on “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors”, she landed a starring role in the “Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes” at New York’s Radio City Music Hall for both 2019 and 2020. In 2020, she became a main cast member of the YouTube series “Chicken Girls” in Season 7, and has since continued to feature on this program. Walmsley is also well-known as a popular YouTube personality with over 2.2 million subscribers.

Maesi Caes

In Season 7, Iowan dancer Maesi Caes and her mom, Jaime Caes, became part of “Dance Moms”. They stayed with the show until the elite team was disbanded in Episode 25 (“Everybody’s Replaceable… Even Abby”). They made a brief appearance in the Season 8 special titled “The New Team”, but didn’t rejoin the ALDC or the series following that. Since then, Maesi has kept her TV presence minimal while still pursuing dance opportunities elsewhere.

Caesar has popped up on various shows such as “Little Big Shots”, “World of Dance” (which ended), and an episode of JoJo Siwa’s “JoJo’s Juice”. In 2016, she toured as a dancer with Justin Bieber. More currently, Caesar completed high school and started attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where she is part of their dance team, known as the Golden Gophers. Similar to many of her “Dance Moms” colleagues, she is also quite active on social media.

Brooke Hyland

In the annals of “Dance Moms”, one particularly noteworthy argument stands out – the heated exchange between Abby Lee Miller and Kelly Hyland, which stemmed from allegations that Miller was neglectful towards her daughters Brooke and Paige. This disagreement escalated into a physical altercation involving both parties, leading eventually to both daughters leaving the show.

As the eldest sibling, I’m Brooke – born to Hyland and her former husband Randy. Alongside my younger sister Paige, I made my debut on the show during Season 1, but bid farewell in Season 4. Following a short-lived venture into pop music back in 2013, I pursued academics and earned a marketing and management information degree from Ohio University. Now, I’ve embarked on another successful journey as a content creator.

One of Hyland’s numerous social media activities involves vlogging through her YouTube channel and running a food blog called @bitesized_foodie. In 2024, the Hyland sisters re-entered the “Dance Moms” world for a reunion special; during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Brooke looked back on the Season 4 altercation between Miller and her mother. She pointed out that it had become popular on TikTok. The reunion was the first time they’d all sat together and thought, “Wow, this actually took place.” It was particularly challenging because it involved her mom and a dance teacher who held significant importance in her life.

Paige Hyland

In 2014, Brooke Hyland’s younger sibling, Paige, initiated a lawsuit against Abby Lee Miller due to an allegation of assault following an incident where Miller angrily hurled a chair while Paige was present in the room. The case was dropped in 2015, leading to a significant break from “Dance Moms” for the Hylands for an extended period.

After that point, Paige has chosen to steer clear of dance as she carves out her unique professional and personal trajectory. She completed high school in 2019 and later graduated with a business administration degree from West Virginia University in 2023. In addition, she is a model and enjoys significant popularity on social media, boasting over 4 million followers. During the “Dance Moms” reunion special in 2024, the Hyland sisters reflected on their experience on the reality series. Paige shared with E! News that the show had made her more resilient: “It’s certainly made me stronger,” she said. “Nowadays, people can say whatever they want to me, and I won’t shed a tear because I’ve cried enough in the past.

Kelly Hyland

At eight years old, Kelly Hyland was part of Abby Lee Miller’s dance team. During seasons 1 to 4 of “Dance Moms,” she came back to the studio with her daughters Brooke and Paige. Her time on the show was marked by disagreements over Abby Lee Miller supposedly giving less attention to her daughters, which escalated in a well-known physical fight during season 4. This incident resulted in the Hylands leaving the studio and the show. Following this, various lawsuits were filed against Miller and the production company, Collins Avenue Entertainment. These cases were either dismissed or settled in 2014 and 2015. Since then, Hyland and her daughters have kept their distance from the “Dance Moms” world, although not completely.

In two podcasts linked to “Dance Moms,” Hyland shared co-hosting duties with Christi Lukasiak on “Back to the Barre” and with Jill Vertes, Melissa Giosoni, and Holly Hatcher-Frazier on “Because Mom Said So.” In 2024, Hyland became a news headline due to a breast cancer diagnosis. She completed her first round of chemotherapy in August that same year.

Kendall Vertes

Kendall Vertes starred on the TV show “Dance Moms” from seasons 2 to 7, taking a short hiatus to dance with Cathy Nesbitt-Stein’s Candy Apple’s Dance Center. In season 7, she joined the Irreplaceables dance team and went on tour with them in 2017. During this period, she also released a song called “Wear ‘Em Out” in 2015 and made appearances in music videos for JoJo Siwa and Todrick Hall.

Following her involvement in “Dance Moms,” she completed her high school education at Penn-Trafford High School in 2021. She then attended James Madison University, where she was a member of the dance team that won a national championship in 2024. Additionally, she has appeared in various independent and direct-to-video productions such as “Santa in Training” and “Anastasia,” co-starring Brandon Routh.

Apart from her fellow former “Dance Moms” stars, she participated in a 2024 reunion special as well. This event held special significance for Vertes, as it was both emotionally taxing yet ultimately rewarding. As she shared with Yahoo Entertainment, “It was indeed a very exposed situation for us all.” However, I’m pleased to say that the girls were present. We understand each other deeply, and we can help one another navigate any challenge. I am genuinely grateful that they were there with me during this experience.

2024-12-02 15:31