It’s been over a decade since the first pyramid was revealed in that cramped Pittsburgh studio. If you grew up watching the chaos, you probably still hear Abby Lee Miller’s voice shouting about pointed toes in your sleep. But the world of competitive dance is a lifetime ago for the girls who survived it. It’s 2026, and the "Elite Junior Competition Team" has splintered into Hollywood A-listers, pop stars, and college grads who just want a normal life.
If you’re looking for where are they now: Dance Moms cast members, the answer isn’t just "still dancing." In fact, for many, the dancing stopped the second the cameras did.
Maddie Ziegler: The Muse Who Left the Leotard Behind
Maddie was always the "golden girl," the one Abby held over everyone else’s head like a trophy. Honestly, it’s a miracle she didn't burn out by sixteen. By 2026, Maddie has fully transitioned from "the girl in the Sia videos" to a legitimate indie film darling.
She recently wrapped filming for Ballerina Overdrive, a high-octane action flick where she stars alongside Uma Thurman. It's a far cry from "Cry." She also spent the better part of late 2024 and 2025 working on Shiver, an adaptation of the Maggie Stiefvater werewolf novels. While the production faced some messy financial hiccups in Canada, Maddie’s performance is already being hyped by the "BookTok" crowd.
She doesn't talk to Abby. Like, at all. In recent interviews, Maddie’s been candid about the "toxic" environment of the show, basically saying she’s at peace now that she’s out. She didn't show up for the 2024 reunion, and frankly, she didn’t need to. Her career is doing the talking.
Joelle Siwa: The Rebrand of JoJo
Wait, who is Joelle? On New Year’s Eve heading into 2026, the artist formerly known as JoJo Siwa quietly changed her TikTok handle to her birth name, Joelle Siwa. It’s a huge shift. We all saw her "Karma" era—the black leather, the Gene Simmons-esque makeup, the "bad girl" transition that launched a thousand memes.
But 2026 Joelle feels different. She’s currently making headlines for her relationship with Love Island alum Chris Hughes. They’ve been spotted all over the UK, and there are even whispers of a permanent move across the pond. She still has that "Boomerang" energy, but the bows are long gone. She’s the only one who really stayed in touch with Abby Lee Miller, often defending her in the press while the other girls stayed silent. It’s a weird loyalty, but that’s JoJo—sorry, Joelle—for you.
The College Route: Nia and Chloe
While some went for the spotlight, others went for the degree.
- Nia Sioux: The girl who was always overlooked by Abby is now the one everyone wants to hire for their board of directors. Nia graduated from UCLA and has become a massive advocate for dancers with disabilities. She’s been doing choreography work for the CCDI showcase in 2026, but her real power is in her voice. People are literally placing bets on her running for office one day. She’s got that "Dr. Holly" poise.
- Chloe Lukasiak: Chloe is living her best "literary girl" life in New York. She’s been open about her struggles with eating disorders and the trauma of the show, which has made her a hero to a whole generation of fans. In 2026, she’s still running her book club and working on a YA novel. She did appear in the 2024 reunion, which was a huge moment for fans who wanted to see her and the Hylands back together.
The Pittsburgh Connection: What Happened to the Moms?
The drama didn't stop when the kids grew up. If you follow the "OG" moms on social media, you know the tea is still brewing.
Christi Lukasiak and Kelly Hyland are still the duo everyone loves. However, things got real in late 2025. Reports surfaced that Christi and her husband Marc were finalizing a divorce, and in a move that feels like a scripted reality show plot, Kelly reportedly moved back to Pittsburgh to be her roommate. They’re basically the Golden Girls of the dance world now.
Meanwhile, Jill Vertes is leaning into her "Grandma" era. Her daughter Ryleigh recently had a baby, making Jill a grandmother—though she’d probably still try to get that baby a solo on the Beverly Hills invite-only circuit if she could. Kendall Vertes is still doing her thing, hosting her podcast Not So Little, where she interviews former child stars about the "ick" of early fame.
Where is Abby Lee Miller Now?
Abby is nothing if not resilient. After her prison stint and her battle with Burkitt lymphoma, she’s back on the international circuit. She’s scheduled to appear at the Move It dance convention in 2026. She still claims she "made" these girls, often posting throwback clips that the girls themselves usually ignore.
She sold the original ALDC building in Pittsburgh for a few hundred thousand dollars a couple of years back, but she kept the brand. She’s always teasing a "new show," but the 2024 reunion proved one thing: the girls can succeed without her, and that probably stings more than any second-place trophy ever did.
The Reality of the Dance Moms Legacy
When people search for where are they now: Dance Moms, they usually expect a tragedy or a massive comeback. The truth is more mundane but also more impressive. These kids were essentially "child soldiers" of the reality TV world. They were yelled at, pitted against their friends, and forced to perform while crying.
In 2026, the "success" isn't the trophies. It's the fact that:
- Mackenzie Ziegler is a respected singer-songwriter with millions of streams for her album Biting My Tongue.
- Brooke and Paige Hyland are living relatively normal lives, with Brooke recently getting married and the whole cast (minus the Zieglers) showing up for the wedding.
- Kalani Hilliker has moved from the ALDC shadow to become a mental health advocate and fashion designer.
The biggest takeaway from the Dance Moms saga in 2026 is the power of the "sisterhood" that formed despite the adults in the room. Most of these women have spent the last few years in therapy, unlearning the "win at all costs" mentality Abby instilled in them. They aren't just dancers anymore; they're survivors of a very specific, very public kind of childhood.
If you want to keep up with them, skip the Lifetime reruns. Follow their podcasts, read Chloe's book, or catch Maddie’s next film. That’s where the real story is happening now.
Your Next Steps:
- Check out Kendall Vertes' podcast, Not So Little, if you want the unfiltered stories about what happened behind the scenes.
- Look for Maddie Ziegler’s film Ballerina Overdrive on streaming platforms—it's the most definitive proof that she has moved past her reality TV roots.
- Follow Nia Sioux on LinkedIn or Instagram if you’re interested in the intersection of arts and social advocacy; she’s the one to watch for future leadership roles.
