Where is Maddie Ziegler now? Lifetime show alum to ditch 'Dance Moms: The Reunion' amid 'toxic' claims
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Dance Moms' star Maddie Ziegler has been enjoying her thriving music and acting career. She quit the Lifetime show after Season 6 and has decided to skip the upcoming 'Dance Moms: The Reunion' as she seemingly doesn't want to relive the turbulent years.
After leaving the Lifetime show, she signed a contract with Arista Records in 2019 and toured the US as an opener for PrettyMuch. The performer also collaborated with Sia on a popular song, 'Exhale.' Additionally, Maddie competed in the first season of 'The Masked Singer' and was eliminated in third place.
Maddie has released multiple singles since her departure from 'Dance Moms' and her most recent song is 'Word vomit.' The performer has also recently bagged a lead role in the comedy-drama, 'Fitting In'. She has also appeared in 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show', 'Dancing With the Stars' and 'Saturday Night Live'.
Despite having a successful career, Maddie rejected the invitation for the Lifetime show reunion. During an Instagram Live, Maddie's sister, Mackenzie Ziegler, explained that their absence "had nothing to do with the girls." She elaborated, "We just, like, didn’t really wanna go back in time, you know what I’m saying, to that era." Maddie has previously called out the Lifetime show for its 'toxic' environment.
Maddie Ziegler acknowledges her 'Dance Moms' fame
Maddie Ziegler rose to fame after starring in 'Dance Moms' from 2011 to 2016 and the entertainer has recently acknowledged the Lifetime show. In a recent interview with Teen Vogue, Maddie shared, "Obviously, I have my feelings about that [show], but if I didn’t do it, I would not be where I am right now at all."
She explained, "I wouldn’t have been found by Sia. I wouldn’t have found my love for acting through music videos, and I wouldn’t be where I am, literally, right now talking to you." Maddie further claimed that she would be 'same goofy, loving, hard-working girl' but she is also 'changing and growing'.
The Lifetime show alum noted, "It’s scary when people are like, 'But you're not who you were when you were younger.' And I have to explain, 'Yeah, because that’s just not realistic.'"
Why did Maddie Ziegler leave 'Dance Moms'?
'Dance Moms' alum Maddie Ziegler quit the Lifetime show for her own mental health. She claimed while leaving the show that she couldn't tolerate the drama that was often sensationalized for the show. Maddie was reportedly sick of being in a 'toxic' environment.
Maddie alongside her sister, Mackenzie Ziegler, was trying for years to leave the Lifetime show before eventually exiting the show in season 6. Maddie did not maintain any contact with the controversial dance instructor, Abby Lee Miller, after her exit. However, in the teaser of the upcoming 'Dance Moms: The Reunion', Jojo Siwa took a dig at Maddie, Mackenzie and Nia Sioux, who decided to ditch the Lifetime special.
Jojo Siwa said in the clip, "Them not being here is kind of like, 'Let me erase my past, pretend it never happened, shove it down the drain.' When it's like, that's why you are who you are."
'Dance Moms: The Reunion' will premiere on Wednesday, May 1 at 8 pm ET on Lifetime.