To Nia Sioux, fellow Dance Moms OG Chloé Lukasiak is certainly not replaceable.
The 24-year-old shared in a recent TopMob News interview that she still keeps in touch with Chloé, as Chloé lives in New York and they see each other often.
Nia, a UCLA graduate who lives in Los Angeles, always makes an effort to connect with friends when she visits the East Coast. She recently planned a trip around seeing her childhood best friend and attending the final performance of Misty Copeland with American Ballet Theatre on October 22nd.
The author of Bottom of the Pyramid and another performer were scheduled to share the stage on November 3rd. This event would launch the author’s book tour for her upcoming memoir in New York City.
“Chloé wrote the foreword for the book,” noted Nia, “which is really, really, really special.”
But the 24-year-old isn’t the only former Abby Lee Miller pupil giving Nia her flowers.
Nia said some of her fellow cast members told her they were happy and supportive, explaining that they all share a close connection.
Not that all of the Lifetime series alumni have earned top marks from Nia
The Pittsburgh native, who was one of the first members of the Abby Lee Dance Company’s junior elite competition team, revealed instances where her former teammates excluded her from events. She specifically mentioned being left out of a get-together with Todrick Hall and another YouTuber, which she found particularly hurtful.
She mentioned that she’s still friends with many of the original members of the team—including Chloé, Maddie Ziegler, Kenzie Ziegler, Brooke Hyland, and Paige Hyland—as well as some of her other teammates.
Nia explained that she often held back tears, but believes the adults involved are to blame for the drama. She thinks many of her fellow dancers were drawn to Maddie because Abby clearly favored her. According to Nia, they were all kids who looked up to the adults, and those adults didn’t provide the support they needed.
Still, there’s one reason she’d death drop someone right out of her life.
She recognized that everyone handles things differently, especially those who are still close to Abby. However, she explained that she generally can’t form a connection with anyone who already has a relationship with Abby.
Although the dance studio owner seemed sharp and critical on TV during the show’s seven seasons, Nia explained that their behavior was actually far more difficult in person.
Nia said the other person deliberately tried to make her look bad on the show. She doesn’t understand why this person singled her out and put her in difficult situations, particularly because she had been a student of theirs.
Nia admits she believes in being firm, but she feels it went too far. She claims the other person created a story about her being a Black child who struggled to succeed.
Nia’s dedication to advocacy has led to incredible opportunities, including a tour of the White House with President Joe Biden and an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris.
She firmly stated she has no regrets about participating in the show. “I truly don’t,” she explained, adding that all of her past experiences have brought her to this point in her life, and she wouldn’t alter anything if she could.
Fresh out of college, I feel like I’ve already experienced so much that I’m ready for any challenge. I definitely don’t have any regrets.
That includes her relationship with her former mentor.
Though she reached out to Abby after her cancer diagnosis, the Mad House star refused to see her.
Nia said she felt compelled to try and make things right. She emphasized that she would never want to see anyone suffer. However, when Abby rejected her attempt at reconciliation, Nia felt it clearly signaled the end of their relationship. She realized Abby hadn’t changed and accepted that as her final answer.
I’m so fascinated by what Nia’s been up to since leaving the dance world! It’s really great to see how she and the other dancers from the show are thriving and pursuing their own paths now. I’m eager to find out what they’re all doing with their solo careers!
Since first captivating audiences over a decade ago with her dancing on the Abby Lee Dance Company, this Pennsylvania native has quickly become a multi-talented performer. She went from starring in singer Sia’s music videos to appearing in films like Sia’s directorial debut, Music, the 2021 remake of West Side Story, and the 2024 movie My Old Ass.
Maddie also published a bestselling memoir called The Maddie Diaries in 2017. She served as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation and co-hosted the Take 20 With Maddie and Kenzie podcast with her sister, Kenzie Ziegler. Maddie told TopMob News they wanted the podcast to feel relaxed and authentic. “We wanted to be ourselves and have a natural conversation, without a lot of editing or production,” she explained.
She’s planning her next big move: launching her own beauty brand. “It’s always been a dream of mine,” she explained, “and I’d love to create my own line someday. It would be incredible!”
Having moved past her acrobatic performance background, the singer recently released “Anatomy” in 2023, a deeply personal song about her complicated relationship with her father. She explained to People magazine that the song was a step towards greater honesty, saying, “I’m really pushing myself and sharing my story in a genuine way, beyond what I usually post online.”
Despite having over 14 million followers on Instagram from her time on Dance Moms, she explored new artistic territory with her third album, biting my tongue, released in July 2024.
The actress from She Dances told TopMob News that she’s finally able to openly discuss her life and share what’s important to her. She hopes listeners will connect with her story and feel something – whether it’s happiness, sadness, or simply a sense of understanding.
Almost ten years after leaving Dance Moms, the award-winning dancer was excited to return to performing and competing.
Chloe Lukasiak explained that after stepping away from dance, she was eager to reconnect with a passion she’d lost. This led her and her mother, Christi Lukasiak, along with Diane and Brittany Pent, to create the Elevé National Dance Competition. Chloe wanted to build something completely different from her own past experiences – a positive environment where dancers could rediscover their love for the art form. She saw it as a personal challenge to reignite her own passion as well.
Even though her competition show ended after a season, Pepperdine University graduate is continuing to pursue her passions. Now living in New York City, she’s mainly focused on creating content, but is also writing her first fantasy novel. She shared with TopMob News in 2023 that she’s also considering what comes next. She believes everything happens for a reason and that the past couple of years have unfolded perfectly.
The original member of the group continues to excel in both music and acting. She released her single “Low Key Love” in 2020, and has starred in the web series Sunnyside Up as well as 59 episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful.
I’ve been following her journey closely, and it’s incredible! She was finishing up her studies at UCLA – she actually graduated with a degree in American Literature and Culture just last June – all while making waves in the music scene. She released her single, “IMMA CATCH,” and even got recognized by Variety on their 2023 Young Hollywood Impact Report. It’s amazing to see someone balancing school and pursuing their dreams so successfully!
Next up, was (death) dropping her memoir.
She shared with TopMob News that she’s deeply passionate about the power of storytelling, especially as she prepares for the November 2025 release of her project, Bottom of the Pyramid. Despite having many career aspirations, she confirmed that acting will remain a key part of her future.
Nia shared that dance was her original passion, but she also loves theater and hopes to participate in it again someday.
Instead of focusing on their reality show group number, the original cast member who’s the oldest took a trip to Costa Rica in 2023. They shared on Instagram in July that the week-long experience turned the group from strangers into close friends, emotional about saying goodbye at the airport.
She then took a six-day trip to Croatia, reminiscent of a backpacking adventure she loved after college. “I saw amazing sights, experienced new cultures, and made friends I’ll have for life,” she said. “It was an unforgettable experience.”
When she’s back home in Pittsburgh, this marketing graduate—engaged to Brian Thalman since May 2024—uses her skills to grow both her popular Instagram account, Bite-Sized Foodie, and the Hyland Sisters brand she runs with her younger sister, Paige.
Recently, the veterinarian, who gained attention as a model and influencer, hasn’t been dwelling on personal struggles. After graduating from West Virginia University in May 2023 – a moment celebrated online by Christi Lukasiak – she’s been traveling extensively, with visits to places like the Hamptons, Colorado, and Wyoming.
Paige’s main travel companion, besides her sister Brooke, is her boyfriend, Jayvon Thrift, a former college football player. She publicly expressed her affection for the fitness model in a 2022 post, writing, “Adore you in every kind of way.”
In July 2024, the couple celebrated their five-year anniversary by signing a lease on their first apartment together. Paige announced the exciting news on Instagram, hinting at ‘a new adventure coming soon’.
Kendall Vertes, a recent graduate of James Madison University, was recently performing with her college’s award-winning dance team. She shared on Instagram in September 2023, saying she was sure her younger self would be thrilled with her accomplishments. Her mother, Jill Vertes, quickly commented, expressing her own immense pride.
Besides acting—including roles in the 2019 film Rapunzel: A Princess Frozen in Time and a live-action adaptation of Anastasia—and releasing several albums as Kendall K, this newcomer to the show has also landed numerous brand sponsorships, boosted by her large following of 11 million on Instagram.
Even though she was only on the original show for two seasons (following a run on Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition), JoJo Siwa quickly became a standout star. She built a huge following on YouTube, partnered with Nickelodeon for exclusive products, launched a successful line of branded merchandise, and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2020.
Oh my gosh, you guys, Maddie Ziegler once told Kelly Ripa something SO profound! She said that Dance Moms taught her to basically sink or swim, but not literally, you know? It was about being able to handle anything thrown at you and really wanting it, wanting to succeed no matter what. It just stuck with me, honestly. It’s like, you either adapt and fight for your dream, or… well, you don’t. And Maddie wanted it, and that’s what I admire so much!
She’s become quite visible lately, spending time with celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Kim Kardashian. In 2021, she made history as part of the first same-sex couple to compete on the U.S. edition of Dancing With the Stars, partnering with Jenna Johnson.
Oh my gosh, you guys, she’s aiming for the Super Bowl! Can you believe it? She literally told Raven-Symoné and Miranda that performing at the halftime show is her biggest dream, like, the dream! And get this – she said once she finally gets that chance, she’s going to retire and start a family! I’m so excited for her, especially since she just released her first EP, Guilty Pleasure, this past July. I knew she was destined for greatness when she was on The Best Podcast Ever back in August 2023, she’s just… everything!
Now based in Arizona, the dancer, actress, and businesswoman is focusing on health and wellness and recently launched her beauty brand, Kare, in 2023.
She told TopMob News that her own anxiety motivated her to start a brand focused on self-care. She wanted to create something for everyone, helping people relax, prioritize themselves, and build routines to manage daily challenges.
The dancer, who first appeared on Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition, is back to dancing and teaching, and still executing flawless moves. She recently married Nathan Goldman in September 2025. She explained that her teaching style is much different than Abby’s—or most of her former teachers—emphasizing kindness while still encouraging students to reach their full potential.
Asia Monet Ray has officially come of age. The California native stopped appearing on television shortly before turning ten, after participating in one season each of Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition, Dance Moms, and her own show, Raising Asia. However, in a 2021 interview with TopMob News, she stated, “I genuinely had a great experience on it,” and noted that her experience differed from those of some of her fellow cast members. She added, “There was nothing that I would change on my experience whatsoever.”
Graduating as valedictorian in June 2023, the model and artist shared on Instagram how proud she was to have reached a long-held goal and expressed excitement for the future.
With lots of sponsorships, invitations to all the hottest events, and her new dance single “Oh Boys” and album of the same name, her career is looking very promising.
Oh my gosh, she actually said she loved her time on reality TV! Can you believe it? She told TopMob it was a huge part of growing up and honestly, she wouldn’t trade it for anything. She said it really set her up for life, which is just… everything. I’m so glad she feels that way! It’s amazing to hear her talk about it with such gratitude.
Since joining the team in season 7, the dancer from St. Louis has been performing on significantly bigger stages.
She had an incredibly busy February 2023, touring with Kendrick Lamar, performing with Usher in Las Vegas and at the Super Bowl halftime show, and then taking the stage at the Grammys with Missy Elliott. She described the experience as “Beyond blessed!!!”
Following performances dancing in the 30th anniversary celebration of The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl, with Chloe Bailey at the BET Awards, and with Tate McRae at the 2025 VMAs, she’s determined to continue building her career. In a December 2022 Instagram post marking the end of her 76-show run with Lamar, she stated, “I know this is only the beginning.”
After leaving the show after three seasons – where she stepped into Maddie’s role as a dancer – the Arizona native wanted to return to a typical teenage life and reconnect with her friends, she shared in a 2023 YouTube video with her close friend Kelsey Millar. While she admitted high school wasn’t always easy, she’s happy she experienced it. Having lived both lifestyles – the world of dance and normal teenage life – she now understands what she wants and believes it’s possible to find a balance between the two.
Since graduating in 2021, she’s started the Out of Line podcast with Millar and has been sharing her experiences at festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach with her 3 million Instagram followers. She also frequently meets fans when she travels with her dance students to competitions.
It was just the sweetest thing! Kenzie and I are still really close, and she told me about these kids recognizing her and asking, ‘Miss Brynn, are you famous?’ It totally made my day!
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2025-11-03 14:19