Where Are The Dance Moms Now? The hit reality TV show Dance Moms captivated audiences with its drama and talented young dancers, and at ten-dance.com, we’re diving into what the cast is up to today. From acting careers to entrepreneurial ventures, discover where Abby Lee Miller and her dance protégés have landed, and explore the legacy of this iconic dance show and find your own path in the world of dance with our resources, classes, and community. Join ten-dance.com to explore the lasting impact of Dance Moms and the dance expertise, guidance, and community you need to thrive.
1. What Happened to Abby Lee Miller?
Abby Lee Miller is a dance coach, studio owner, and choreographer who owned the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC). Miller sold the Dance Moms studio for $300,000 and was not invited to participate in the Dance Moms reunion after some former dancers said they would only join if Miller was not there. In May 2024, Miller reflected on her Dance Moms experience and would “absolutely” walk back some of the comments she made on the series, however she does remain close with some of her former students.
After high school, Miller’s parents gave her “their life savings” so she could create her dream studio. Dance Moms became infamous for Miller’s jabs at the moms. Amid the show’s success, Miller faced serious legal troubles when she was indicted on bankruptcy fraud charges. After initially pleading not guilty in November 2015, she pleaded guilty in June 2016 and was later sentenced to 366 days in federal prison and two years of supervised release. Miller was later diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and had emergency spinal surgery. After months of treatment, Miller revealed she was cancer-free in May 2019.
2. What is Maddie Ziegler Doing Now?
Maddie Ziegler, known for her expressive lyrical dances, is an actress and model, with a New York Times best-selling author with her 2017 memoir, The Maddie Diaries. Maddie was on the show from its debut in 2011 until 2016 and shot to mainstream fame after appearing in Sia’s “Chandelier” music video.
After leaving Dance Moms, Maddie launched an acting career, appearing in films like The Fallout, The Book of Henry, Music and Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Beyond acting, Maddie has modeled for Givenchy, Kate Spade and Fendi, among other luxury brands. Maddie has been open about the challenges she faced while on Dance Moms and how the series was a “toxic environment.” As of March 2024, Maddie spoke about her lead role in the dramedy Fitting In and her journey healing from her childhood experiences.
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3. Is Mackenzie Ziegler Still Dancing?
Mackenzie “Kenzie” Ziegler, Maddie’s younger sister, is an actor and singer who has released two albums, which included the popular songs “paper” and “100 degrees.” Kenzie has also continued her reality TV career, appearing on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors and finishing in third place on The Masked Dancer.
Despite the occasional comparisons between Maddie and Kenzie, the sisters have a strong relationship and even had a podcast in 2022 called Take 20 with Maddie and Kenzie Ziegler. Like her big sister, Kenzie is also an actor, starring in a web series called Total Eclipse and the film Let Us In.
4. Where is Melissa Gisoni Today?
Melissa Gisoni, Maddie and Kenzie’s mom, has an active online presence, with nearly 4 million Instagram followers and more than 60,000 YouTube subscribers. Gisoni and her daughters left Dance Moms after season 6. Gisoni also has a podcast with the other original dance moms — Holly Hatcher-Frazier, Kelly Hyland and Jill Vertes — called Because Mom Said So.
On Dance Moms, Maddie and Kenzie’s mom, Melissa Gisoni, often bragged about her older daughter being the best. She also had a flair for the dramatic, occasionally being accused of currying favor with Miller to get her kids ahead.
5. What is JoJo Siwa Doing Now?
Joelle Joanie “JoJo” Siwa is a celebrity and dancer who has a huge following on social media, with more than 11 million followers on Instagram and 45 million followers on TikTok. In early 2024, JoJo announced that she was taking a new direction with her career and moving firmly into adulthood, this included her song “Karma,” its sultry music video and a more mature aesthetic.
JoJo and Jess left the show during season 6 after she was assigned a ballet dance duet with Kendall Vertes. Since leaving Dance Moms, JoJo has become a celebrity in her own right. In 2016, she released her first single, “Boomerang,” which had amassed over 21 million views after a month. She started selling her brand JoJo’s Bows at Claire’s the same year, telling Today in 2019 that she had sold 60 million bows that year. As part of her overall talent deal with Nickelodeon, JoJo made TV appearances and launched her own merch line that included clothes and dolls.
6. What is Jessalynn Siwa Up To?
Jessalynn Siwa appeared on two seasons of Dance Moms with her daughter, JoJo, but she was no stranger to the dance world, as she owned a dance studio in her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. Since leaving Dance Moms, Jessalynn and JoJo have continued to collaborate on projects and created a Peacock competition series called Siwas Dance Pop Revolution, which launched the girl group XOMG POP.
JoJo’s mom had her moments going head-to-head with Miller, including in season 5 when Miller ranked JoJo fifth on the pyramid because she refused to watch Carrie. Jessalynn has been her daughter’s biggest supporter amid her Dancing with the Stars and Special Forces appearances.
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7. What Has Chloé Lukasiak Been Doing?
Chloé Lukasiak, who spent seasons 1 through 4 on Dance Moms, maintains her YouTube presence, where she has more than 2 million subscribers, and has done some acting work, starring in films like Loophole and The Message. She also wrote a memoir called Girl on Pointe: Chloe’s Guide to Taking on the World about her time on Dance Moms and her journey toward self-acceptance.
After filming Dance Moms: The Reunion, Chloé told Entertainment Tonight that Miller’s treatment of her and the competition she fostered between herself and Maddie left a mark. As for her personal life, Chloé was in a relationship with pro skateboarder and model Brooklinn Khoury from 2020 to 2023.
8. Where is Christi Lukasiak Now?
Christi Lukasiak, Chloé’s mom, has over 2 million Instagram followers and runs a business called Adulting101, a life skills program aimed at Gen Z women. Her other business ventures include her property rentals and her podcasts, including her Dance Moms rewatch series Back to the Barre, which she hosts with fellow alum Kelly Hyland. Christi also works with YourMomCares, a nonprofit organization founded by celebrities and influencers’ moms to help increase access to youth mental healthcare.
Christi Lukasiak was known for her memorable fights with Miller and the other dance moms on the show, especially Maddie’s mom, Melissa. Since leaving Dance Moms,Christi has been busy.
9. What is Nia Sioux Doing Today?
Nia Sioux, who appeared in the first seven seasons of Dance Moms, made her off-Broadway debut in Trip of Love, appeared in the film I Am Mortal and played Emma Barber on The Bold and the Beautiful for over a year. She has also released music, including the songs “Star in Your Own Life” and “Slay.” Sioux also had her own Facebook Watch series called Dance with Nia and has amassed nearly 6 million followers on Instagram.
Sioux is currently a student at UCLA, where she’s studying American literature and culture and hopes to be an author. As for her personal life, Nia celebrated her second anniversary with her boyfriend Gabriel Hawkins in February 2024. In June 2021, she told Entertainment Tonight that starring in Dance Moms changed her life immensely and that she learned so many lessons from the show.
10. Where is Holly Hatcher-Frazier Today?
Holly Hatcher-Frazier, Nia Sioux’s mom, co-hosts the podcast Because Mom Said So with fellow dance moms Gisoni, Kelly and Jill. In 2014, the Ivy League grad published the book Moments of Clarity: Daily Affirmations from Dr. Holly.
Holly Hatcher-Frazier was known for her overall calm demeanor in the series. In October 2021, Hatcher-Frazier spoke to The Washington Post about her and Sioux’s time on the show and recalled one instance when Miller assigned Sioux her first solo dance, but she was asked to wear an afro for a jungle-themed routine.
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11. What is Brooke Hyland Doing Now?
Brooke Hyland, who danced with her sister Paige Hyland on seasons 1 through the middle of season 4 of Dance Moms, graduated from Ohio University in 2019 with a degree in marketing, management information systems and business analytics. These days, she’s a social media influencer with 4 million followers on Instagram.
In 2013, she released a self-titled album featuring songs like “Summer Love Song” and “I Hurt.” More recently, Brooke got engaged to longtime boyfriend Brian Thalman in May 2024.
12. Where is Paige Hyland Today?
Paige Hyland, Brooke’s younger sister, studied at West Virginia University, where she graduated from in 2023 with a degree in business administration. Like most of the Dance Moms alums, she has an active social media presence with nearly 4 million followers on Instagram. She’s been in a long-term relationship with former college football player Jayvon Thrift for several years.
In 2014, 13-year-old Paige sued Miller for assault, claiming she was subject to emotional abuse and fear caused by the dance coach’s violent outbursts. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge dismissed the suit in 2015.
13. Where is Kelly Hyland Now?
Kelly Hyland, Brooke and Paige’s mom, left Dance Moms at the same time as her daughters and sued Miller in 2014 after a physical altercation between the two. Kelly was later charged with assault for the same incident, but both cases were later dismissed, per Entertainment Tonight.
Kelly Hyland goes way back with Miller, as she herself was one of Miller’s students when she was a kid. After filming Dance Moms: The Reunion, the Hyland sisters opened up to Entertainment Tonight about the intense moment that spurred the lawsuits.
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14. What is Kendall Vertes Up To?
Kendall Vertes, who joined Dance Moms in season 2, began studying at James Madison University in Virginia in 2021, where she joined the dance team. In 2024, Kendall and her team won a national championship, and the Dance Moms alum celebrated the achievement with a nod to the show.
During her time on the series, she also launched a singing career, releasing her first single “Wear ‘Em Out” in 2015. Outside of dance, Vertes has been dating Clemson baseball player Andrew Ciufo since 2022.
15. What is Jill Vertes Doing Now?
Jill Vertes, Kendall’s mom, joins Gisoni, Kelly and Hatcher-Frazier in hosting the Because Mom Said So podcast. Jill was also present at reunion, and told The Daily Item that filming the special opened old wounds from the series.
Jill Vertes was a pharmaceutical sales rep before joining the cast of Dance Moms. On the series, she was known for fiercely championing her daughter and sparring with Miller over Kendall’s placement on the pyramid.
16. Where is Kalani Hilliker Today?
Kalani Hilliker, who joined Dance Moms in season 4, has continued to dance and act, appearing on shows like Shake It Up, Bunheads and America’s Got Talent. She also became a dance teacher herself, telling The List that she hopes to give her students “a little bit more of a positive outlook on dance than maybe I would’ve had.”
Hilliker also launched her own skincare and wellness brand, Kare by Kalani, which she told Business Insider was inspired by the mental health struggles she faced after appearing on the series. In August 2024, Hilliker announced her engagement to Nathan Goldman.
17. What is Kira Girard Up To?
Kira Girard, Hilliker’s mom, largely stayed out of the spotlight following her and Hilliker’s departure after season 7, though she does share updates about her family’s adventures on Instagram with her more than one million followers.
Kira Girard was also a regular on Dance Moms after season 4. Although Girard didn’t immediately post about the reunion, she was included in one of her daughter’s photos from the set of the special.
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18. What is Vivi-Anne Stein Doing Today?
Vivi-Anne Stein, who first appeared on season 1 of Dance Moms along with her mom Cathy, continued to perform after leaving the show. She was also a cheerleader in high school, and after graduating in 2023, joined the cheer team at Cleveland State University.
Despite her mom’s enthusiasm, Vivi-Anne was seemingly uninterested in dancing during her time on the show, and became a fan favorite for her dead-pan delivery of lines like “I don’t even like dancing. I’m just here because my mom said she would buy me tacos.” Vivi-Anne eventually started to embrace dance.
19. Where is Cathy Nesbitt-Stein Now?
Cathy Nesbitt-Stein, Vivi-Anne’s mom, still owns Candy Apple’s Dance Center and regularly posts about spending time with her daughter Vivi-Anne.
When she appeared on Dance Moms in season 1, she stirred up drama with the other moms by referring to herself as “Abby’s colleague,” since she also owned a dance studio. In season 5, Cathy surprised fans when she decided not to bring her studio to Los Angeles to compete against Miller’s, she told OK! Magazine that she didn’t go due to a “scheduling conflict.”
20. What is Gianna “Gia” Martello Up To?
Gianna “Gia” Martello, a choreographer under Miller during all eight seasons of Dance Moms, continues to teach dance and judge competitions, per her bio at MSA Talent Agency. Martello got engaged to production sound mixer Steve Lynch in October 2022. Two years later, the choreographer shared that she was a part of JoJo’s “Karma” music video.
Martello worked at ALDC for over 15 years and continues to teach dance and judge competitions, per her bio at MSA Talent Agency.
Dance Moms: Then and Now
| Cast Member | Then (During Dance Moms) | Now (Present Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Abby Lee Miller | Owner of Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC), Dance Coach | Sold ALDC property, remains close with some former students, reflected on Dance Moms experience |
| Maddie Ziegler | ALDC Dancer, known for lyrical dances | Actress, model, New York Times best-selling author |
| Mackenzie Ziegler | ALDC Dancer, Maddie’s younger sister | Actor, singer, reality TV personality |
| Melissa Gisoni | Mother of Maddie & Mackenzie, known for promoting Maddie | Active online presence (Instagram, YouTube), podcast host |
| JoJo Siwa | ALDC Dancer, known for her bows and energy | Celebrity, dancer, singer, social media personality |
| Jessalynn Siwa | Mother of JoJo, dance studio owner | Collaborates with JoJo on projects, supports JoJo’s career |
| Chloé Lukasiak | ALDC Dancer | YouTube personality, actress, author |
| Christi Lukasiak | Mother of Chloé, known for conflicts with Abby Lee Miller | Runs Adulting101, podcast host, works with YourMomCares |
| Nia Sioux | ALDC Dancer | Actress, singer, student at UCLA |
| Holly Hatcher-Frazier | Mother of Nia, known for her calm demeanor | Podcast host, author |
| Brooke Hyland | ALDC Dancer | Social media influencer, engaged to Brian Thalman as of May 2024 |
| Paige Hyland | ALDC Dancer | Business administration graduate, social media presence, in a relationship with Jayvon Thrift |
| Kelly Hyland | Mother of Brooke & Paige, former student of Abby Lee Miller | Involved in Dance Moms reunion, known for past conflicts with Abby Lee Miller |
| Kendall Vertes | ALDC Dancer | Student at James Madison University, part of the dance team, dating Andrew Ciufo |
| Jill Vertes | Mother of Kendall, known for promoting Kendall | Podcast host, involved in Dance Moms reunion |
| Kalani Hilliker | ALDC Dancer | Dancer, actress, dance teacher, launched skincare and wellness brand (Kare by Kalani), announced engagement to Nathan Goldman in August 2024 |
| Kira Girard | Mother of Kalani | Social media presence, shares family updates on Instagram |
| Vivi-Anne Stein | Dancer at Candy Apple’s Dance Center | Cheerleader at Cleveland State University |
| Cathy Nesbitt-Stein | Owner of Candy Apple’s Dance Center | Still owns and operates Candy Apple’s Dance Center |
| Gianna “Gia” Martello | Choreographer at ALDC | Teaches dance, judges competitions, engaged to Steve Lynch, involved in JoJo Siwa’s “Karma” music video |
Where Are the Dance Moms Now? FAQ
1. What was Dance Moms about?
Dance Moms was a reality television series that followed the young dancers of the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) and their mothers as they navigated the competitive world of dance. The show was known for its intense training, dramatic conflicts, and the demanding coaching style of Abby Lee Miller.
2. When did Dance Moms air?
Dance Moms aired on Lifetime from 2011 to 2019, spanning eight seasons.
3. Who were some of the most famous dancers from Dance Moms?
Some of the most famous dancers from Dance Moms include Maddie Ziegler, JoJo Siwa, Chloé Lukasiak, and Nia Sioux.
4. Why did some of the dancers leave Dance Moms?
Dancers left Dance Moms for various reasons, including conflicts with Abby Lee Miller, the desire to pursue other opportunities, and the need for a less toxic environment.
5. Did the Dance Moms cast reunite?
Yes, the Dance Moms cast had a reunion special that premiered in May 2024. However, Abby Lee Miller and some of the dancers, including Maddie and Kenzie Ziegler, were not involved.
6. What are some of the Dance Moms stars doing now?
Many of the Dance Moms stars have gone on to pursue successful careers in acting, music, social media, and business. Some have also become dance teachers and choreographers.
7. Where can I watch Dance Moms?
Dance Moms is available to stream on Hulu and other platforms.
8. Is Abby Lee Miller still teaching dance?
Yes, Abby Lee Miller continues to teach dance and mentor young dancers.
9. How did Dance Moms impact the dance world?
Whether the dance community wants to admit it or not, Abby Lee Miller changed the dance world for the better. Dance Moms brought dance to a wider audience and inspired many young people to pursue dance. However, it also highlighted the intense pressure and drama that can exist in the competitive dance world.
10. What is the best way to start dance lessons?
The best way to start dance lessons is to find a reputable dance studio or online program that offers classes for your skill level and preferred style of dance. At ten-dance.com, we offer dance lessons to fit everyone’s needs.
Discover Your Dance Journey Today
Inspired by the journeys of the Dance Moms stars? It’s your turn to shine! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, ten-dance.com offers a wide range of resources to help you achieve your dance dreams.
- Explore Online Classes: Access tutorials for every level.
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- Join Our Community: Connect with fellow dance enthusiasts to share tips, inspiration, and support.
Ready to take the next step? Visit ten-dance.com today and start your dance adventure!
