It’s hard to believe that Dance Moms first graced our screens 13 years ago. For many viewers, the drama, the dances, and the dynamic personalities of the cast became appointment television. But for the young dancers and their mothers at the heart of the show, it was a surreal journey from local dance studio to national phenomenon. In a recent reflection, original cast members Chloé Lukasiak and her mother Christi looked back on the early days of Dance Moms, revealing their initial reactions and the unique bonds that shaped the show’s unforgettable first seasons.
Image alt text: Chloé and Christi Lukasiak, beloved cast members of Dance Moms, share a warm smile at a reunion event, highlighting their enduring bond.
“It’s so wild to think that Dance Moms first aired 13 years ago,” Chloé remarked, immediately highlighting the passage of time and the show’s lasting impact. She and Christi then delved into the question of their first reactions upon learning about Lifetime’s plans to create a reality show centered around the Abby Lee Dance Company. What’s striking about their account is the pre-existing relationships within the cast. Chloé emphasized, “what was really interesting about that particular cast of Dance Moms — we actually have a really organic bond and a lot of history.” This wasn’t a group of strangers thrown together for television; these were girls who had grown up dancing together, some since they were toddlers.
Chloé elaborated on these deep-rooted connections. “I mean, there were different dancers in our community who weren’t cast on the show, so it did kind of change a little bit. But I’ve known Paige since, I think, our first dance class. And Brooke was her older sister. I saw her around. We weren’t close friends because she was part of an older group, but I knew her. We were friends, but not as close as Paige and I were. And I’ve known Nia a long time. And then Maddie came after.” This history provided a unique dynamic to the show, a genuine camaraderie amidst the manufactured drama.
Image alt text: The original cast of Dance Moms, including Maddie Ziegler, Chloe Lukasiak, Brooke Hyland, Paige Hyland, and Nia Sioux, pose together, showcasing the close relationships formed during the show’s early seasons.
Interestingly, the initial scope of Dance Moms was surprisingly small. Chloé revealed, “when we first found out [about the show], it was only supposed to be, like, six episodes. So, we were like, ‘Oh, this will be cool. Maybe it’ll be good on our résumé in a couple of years,’ and then it became, like, a totally different experience.” This humble beginning contrasts sharply with the show’s eventual massive success and cultural impact. For the young dancers, the reality of being on a hit reality show didn’t sink in immediately. Chloé confessed, “I did not realize I was on a reality show until I was, like, 17. That sounds crazy to say, but I was like, ‘Oh, that was, like, a show that people watch.’ To me, that was just my life.” This perspective highlights the disorienting nature of sudden fame, especially for young individuals.
Christi offered her perspective on the casting process, adding a humorous anecdote about Abby Lee Miller’s initial attempts to sideline her and Kelly Hyland. “For me, when they put up a casting call, I was one of the first people to start communicating with the casting director. The whole premise of the show changed as he got to know the studio. And he was like, ‘Oh, everything I’m looking for is in this one place.'” Initially, the casting was broader, but Abby Lee’s studio proved to be a goldmine of personalities and drama.
Image alt text: Christi Lukasiak and Kelly Hyland, two of the outspoken and popular Dance Moms, are pictured together, known for their strong personalities and on-screen chemistry.
Christi recounted Abby Lee’s call, “Abby was like, ‘Lifetime is interested in the show.’ And then she’s like, ‘You’re gonna be hearing back,’ and then they came in to film in January.” Then came the comical attempt to exclude Christi and Kelly. “True story: She actually sent Kelly and me to New York to get out of the way. Just like Cinderella and her stepsisters! She sent us away so we couldn’t be taped.” However, their personalities were too compelling to ignore. “But I was talking to all of the producers who knew that we were being sent away, so they came the night before to do our auditions.”
The show’s rapid expansion took everyone by surprise. Christi recalled the phone call confirming the initial six episodes and the unexpected order for more. “Before we were even on Episode 4, they came to us and said, ‘The network thinks that this is going to be a big show. And we’re going to film six more episodes this summer; pack your bags.'” This sudden escalation transformed what was initially perceived as a small project into a major commitment. Despite the whirlwind of filming and newfound fame, both Chloé and Christi emphasized the grounded nature of their lives outside the show. Chloé noted, “We were still going to school, too. I feel like a lot of young stars start homeschooling and move to LA, but nothing changed for us. So, I think that’s why a lot of us are still pretty normal and processing it all as normal as possible.”
In conclusion, the reflections from Chloé and Christi Lukasiak offer a fascinating glimpse into the genesis of Dance Moms. The show’s success was built on a foundation of genuine, pre-existing relationships within the cast, a fact that perhaps contributed to its enduring appeal. What started as a small, six-episode project unexpectedly morphed into a cultural phenomenon, forever changing the lives of the cast of Dance Moms.
