Dance Moms: Then and Now (Part 1)
It’s been a decade since the world first met the fierce and flashy world of Abby Lee Dance Company, courtesy of TLC’s hit reality show Dance Moms. For six seasons, viewers eagerly tuned in to watch seven young girls, led by their demanding coach Abby Lee Miller, compete in regional and national dance competitions. So, what have the then- Mouseketeer moms and their mini-me selves been up to since then?
The Original Kids: Where Are They Now?
Let’s first take a look at the original seven girls who originally made up the ALDC competition team:
- Maddie Ziegler: The pint-sized powerhouse who stole the hearts of millions with her powerful performances. Maddie took a break from competitive dance to focus on her actress career, appearing in Ryan Seacrest’s Web series Killer Coach and starring in Sia’s "Chandelier" and "Elastic Heart" music videos. After a brief hiatus, Maddie returned to dance competitions, now competing as an adult.
- JoJo Siwa (formerly JoJo Griffith): The bubbly 11-year-old who danced her way into our hearts with her signature bows. JoJo has since developed a successful music career with her debut album "D.R.E.A.M." and has continued to perform and tour.
The Moms: Journeys and Challenges Beyond the Dance Studio
When we last saw the feisty moms, they were fighting for their daughters, fighting for recognition, and fighting for a spot atop the competition podium. Several of the original moms left the show, while some remained committed to the ALDC and their daughters’ craft. Here’s a check-in on their lives then and now:
- Kelly Hyland (Maddie’s mother): Kelly, always a vocal advocate for Maddie, took a breather from the competitive scene to focus on her work as a nurse. Nowadays, she’s still advocating for her daughter’s rights and interests, albeit no longer as a full-time dance mom.
- Christi Lukasiak (Chloe Lukasiak’s mother): Christi, remembered for her fiery personality on the show, has seemingly distanced herself from her daughter Chloe, who never returned to the ALDC after leaving the show. Christi has kept a lower profile, focusing on personal projects and spending time with her family.
- Melissa Gisoni (Mack Ziegler’s mother-in-law): Melissa remains a fixture in the Pennsylvania dance community, still co-owning and performing with her husband, Melissa Gisoni, on the ALDC’s mom team. She’s stayed involved in the competitive dancing world, supporting her child and other dancers.
For now, we’ll let the dust settle on Abby Lee Miller’s tumultuous past and the drama between the moms. In this first part of our comprehensive look at Dance Moms: Then and Now, we’ve caught you up on the original eight ALDC members and glimpsed into the lives of the moms who fueled some of the show’s memorable moments. Stay tuned for Part 2, in which we’ll delve further into the world of all-star alumni, new alliances, and the ever-expanding universe of Dance Moms.
Whether you’re a die-hard Dance Moms superfan or simply curious about the show’s lasting legacy, join us next week for the next installment, where we’ll explore Abby Lee Miller’s post-alumni endeavors, the success of the show’s standout stars, and the present-day state of the team that once captivated global audiences.