The world of competitive dance has never been the same since the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) first hit screens in 2011. Now, over a decade later, the original child stars are accomplished young women who have successfully transitioned from reality TV to major careers in film, music, and entrepreneurship. As of late 2025, the cast is making headlines again, not only for their individual successes but also for a historic reunion and the controversial return of their former coach.
The journey from the "Bottom of the Pyramid" to global stardom has been dramatic, filled with high-profile projects, personal milestones, and a few shocking twists. This in-depth 2025 update reveals the current status of the most iconic dancers and the controversial dance instructor who shaped their early lives, providing fresh, unique details you won't find in older articles.
The Original ALDC Girls: Current Status and 2025 Career Highlights
The core group of dancers from the early seasons of *Dance Moms* have leveraged their fame into diverse and massive careers, moving far beyond the drama of the studio. Their current endeavors reflect a seamless transition from child stars to powerful young professionals.
Maddie Ziegler: From Sia's Muse to Hollywood Star
- Full Name: Madison Nicole Ziegler
- Born: September 30, 2002 (Age 23 in 2025)
- Primary Career: Actress, Dancer, Model
- 2025 Status: Established Hollywood actress and dance judge.
- Key Entities/Projects: Sia Music Videos (e.g., "Chandelier"), Steven Spielberg's *West Side Story* (2021), *The Fallout* (2022), Judge on *So You Think You Can Dance*.
Maddie Ziegler remains arguably the most famous alumna of the show. After leaving the ALDC in 2016, she solidified her artistic partnership with singer-songwriter Sia, starring in a series of iconic music videos that garnered billions of views. In 2025, her focus is heavily on her acting career. She is highly regarded for her role as Velma in Steven Spielberg's 2021 adaptation of *West Side Story* and her critically acclaimed performance in the HBO Max film *The Fallout*. Beyond acting, she has returned to her roots as a celebrated figure in the dance world, having served as a judge on the competition series *So You Think You Can Dance*.
JoJo Siwa: The Billion-Dollar Brand and Pop Icon
- Full Name: Joelle Joanie Siwa
- Born: May 19, 2003 (Age 22 in 2025)
- Primary Career: Singer, Dancer, Actress, Entrepreneur
- 2025 Status: Global pop culture phenomenon and LGBTQ+ icon.
- Key Entities/Projects: The JoJo Siwa Empire, *The J Team* (2021), *Dancing with the Stars*, JoJo Siwa Fan Cruise (2026).
JoJo Siwa's trajectory is unique, transforming her *Dance Moms* fame into a massive, multi-faceted empire. In 2025, her brand is estimated to be worth hundreds of millions, encompassing everything from merchandise (the signature JoJo bows) to music, film, and television. She made history as the first contestant on *Dancing with the Stars* to be paired with a same-sex partner, a move that cemented her status as a prominent LGBTQ+ figure. Most recently, she announced a dedicated fan cruise for the summer of 2026, further expanding her entertainment reach.
Chloe Lukasiak: Author, Advocate, and Influencer
- Full Name: Chloé Elizabeth Lukasiak
- Born: May 25, 2001 (Age 24 in 2025)
- Primary Career: Actress, Author, Model, Content Creator
- 2025 Status: Successful digital entrepreneur and brand partner.
- Key Entities/Projects: *Chloe On Pointe*, *The Irreplaceables*, Book: *Girl on Pointe: Chloe's Guide to Taking on the World*, Brand Partnerships (Lulu's, Runna).
After a dramatic exit and brief return to the show, Chloe Lukasiak has built a thriving career in the digital space. In 2025, she is highly active as a content creator and model, regularly partnering with major brands like Lulu's and the fitness app Runna. She continues to produce her own content, including the second season of her web series *Chloe On Pointe*. Lukasiak's focus on mental health and anti-bullying advocacy, stemming from her own experiences on the reality show, has made her a respected voice among her millions of followers.
The Next Generation of Stars: Kenzie, Nia, and Kendall's 2025 Milestones
The other core members of the original team have also found significant success, each carving out a distinct niche in the entertainment industry, from music and acting to college and personal development.
Mackenzie Ziegler (Kenzie): Music and Fashion Crossover
- Full Name: Mackenzie Frances Ziegler
- Born: June 4, 2004 (Age 21 in 2025)
- Primary Career: Singer, Dancer, Model
- 2025 Status: Established recording artist and fashion collaborator.
- Key Entities/Projects: Music Album *Mack Z*, *Dancing with the Stars: Juniors*, Polo Ralph Lauren, Collaborations with Sia.
Maddie's younger sister, Mackenzie "Kenzie" Ziegler, has focused heavily on her music career, which began with her 2014 album *Mack Z*. She has since released numerous singles and collaborated with high-profile artists. In 2025, Kenzie is also a recognized figure in the fashion world, having secured modeling and collaboration deals with major labels like Polo Ralph Lauren, blending her musical and visual artist persona. Her reality TV roots were revisited when she competed on *Dancing with the Stars: Juniors*.
Nia Sioux: The Triple Threat Actress and Author
- Full Name: Nia Sioux Frazier
- Born: June 20, 2001 (Age 24 in 2025)
- Primary Career: Actress, Singer, Author
- 2025 Status: Soap opera star and advocate for diversity.
- Key Entities/Projects: *The Bold and the Beautiful*, Lifetime Movie *Imperfect High*, Debut Book *Bottom of the Pyramid*.
Nia Sioux has successfully transitioned into acting, fulfilling her goal of becoming a "triple threat". She gained significant recognition as a series regular on the long-running soap opera *The Bold and the Beautiful*. Her film work includes the Lifetime original movie *Imperfect High*. In a massive 2025 development, Nia is set to release her debut book, titled *Bottom of the Pyramid*, a clear reference to her often-difficult experience on the show, where she was frequently placed at the lowest spot on Abby Lee Miller's infamous ranking system.
Kendall Vertes and Kalani Hilliker: College, Weddings, and Influencing
- Kendall Vertes (Age 23 in 2025): Currently attending James Madison University, balancing her education with a career as a popular influencer, partnering with brands like Bloom Nutrition and Dunkin'. She has also been vocal about the mental health impact and "past trauma" from her time on the show.
- Kalani Hilliker (Age 25 in 2025): A successful commercial dancer, actress, and content creator. Her biggest personal news in 2025 was her marriage to Nathan Goldman in September, with fellow cast members JoJo Siwa and Kendall Vertes in attendance, marking a sweet reunion moment for the former ALDC girls.
Abby Lee Miller's 2025 Comeback and The Reunion Special
The drama surrounding the show's controversial choreographer, Abby Lee Miller, has not ended. In late 2025, she is making a concerted effort to return to the reality TV spotlight, while the former dancers finally gave fans the reunion they had been waiting for.
The Dance Moms Reunion: A Look Back
The highly anticipated two-hour special event, *Dance Moms: The Reunion*, premiered on Lifetime in 2024 and continues to be a major talking point in 2025. The special featured many of the original dancers—including Chloe, Kendall, Brooke, Paige, and Kalani—and their mothers, providing a raw and emotional look back at the show's impact on their lives and mental health. Notably, Abby Lee Miller and the Ziegler sisters did not participate, highlighting the lasting emotional distance between them and the rest of the cast. The special provided closure for many fans and solidified the bond between the dancers, now known as "The Irreplaceables."
Abby Lee Miller's New Reality Show Endeavors
Despite her legal issues, health struggles (including a battle with Burkitt lymphoma), and the sale of the original Pittsburgh studio in 2022, Abby Lee Miller is determined to maintain her presence in the dance world. In 2025, she is actively promoting her new reality show projects. She is starring in the second season of *Mad House*, a reality competition series where she acts as a "Housemother from Hell" to a new group of aspiring dancers. Furthermore, she is teasing a new competition show, sometimes referred to as "Season 9" or *Abby Lee Dance With Me: The Competition Begins*, with the explicit goal of finding a "New Maddie," a quest that has generated significant buzz and controversy among the *Dance Moms* fan base. Miller is also scheduled to make appearances at major dance events, such as MOVE IT 2025, proving her enduring relevance in the dance community.
Topical Authority and Legacy of Dance Moms
The legacy of *Dance Moms* is a complex one, blending reality TV fame with serious discussions about child labor, parental pressure, and the mental toll of intense competition. The show launched the careers of global superstars and remains a cultural touchstone.
The former cast members, now successful entrepreneurs and artists, are actively redefining their narratives. They are using their platforms to advocate for causes important to them, from Nia Sioux's push for diversity in Hollywood to Kendall Vertes's open discussions on mental health and trauma. The show's enduring popularity, evidenced by the high-demand reunion special and the continued interest in Abby Lee Miller's new projects, confirms its place as one of the most influential and controversial reality series of the 2010s. For the original girls, 2025 is a year of continued growth, major milestones, and a final, powerful step out of the shadow of the infamous pyramid.
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