Honestly, if you grew up watching Lifetime in the 2010s, you probably spent a good chunk of your Tuesday nights feeling genuinely stressed for Nia Sioux. She was the "underdog." The girl who was constantly, almost systematically, placed at the bottom of Abby Lee Miller’s infamous foam-core pyramid. People always ask about nia dance moms now because, for seven seasons, we watched her navigate a world that felt like it was designed to make her quit.
She didn't quit.
Fast forward to 2026, and Nia isn't just "still around"—she is arguably the most grounded, academically accomplished, and strategically successful alum from the ALDC. While some of her former castmates are still caught in the cycle of reality TV reboots, Nia has spent the last year redefining what it means to be a child star who actually made it out with their sanity intact.
The Memoir That Changed Everything
In late 2025, Nia dropped a bombshell that fans had been waiting for since she left the show at 16. Her memoir, Bottom of the Pyramid: A Memoir of Persevering, Dancing for Myself, and Starring in My Own Life, hit the shelves and immediately shifted the conversation. It wasn't just a "tell-all" full of petty backstage drama; it was a deeply academic and emotional look at being the only Black girl on a team led by a woman she now candidly describes as having used racist remarks and body-shaming tactics.
The book is basically a masterclass in reclaiming a narrative. She talks about how she was essentially "barked" at for years. Can you imagine that? Being a literal child and having an adult bark at you on national television.
Nia used the title of her memoir to flip the script. The "bottom of the pyramid" was meant to be a place of shame, but she’s turned it into a foundation. She spent her 2025 book tour, which stretched into early 2026, meeting fans at places like Barnes & Noble and appearing on Sherri to explain that the pyramid didn't define her—it fueled her.
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Life After UCLA and the "Normie" Pivot
One of the coolest things about nia dance moms now is that she chose a path most influencers are terrified of: she went to school. And not just "online classes between Coachella" school. Nia graduated from UCLA after majoring in American Literature and Culture.
She wasn't just a face on campus, either. She joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), the first intercollegiate historically African American sorority. Watching her post about her sorority sisters and her "no makeup" days in the library made her feel incredibly human.
Basically, she chose to be a person before she chose to be a "brand."
- Degree: American Literature and Culture from UCLA.
- Sorority: Alpha Kappa Alpha.
- Vibe: Professional, educated, and surprisingly low-key.
During a recent interview on the Bruin to Bruin podcast, Nia mentioned that being homeschooled for so long made her crave the "normal" college experience. She wasn't just looking for a degree; she was looking for the parts of her childhood that the cameras stole.
Why She Skipped the Reunion
If you’re looking for nia dance moms now in the latest Lifetime reunion specials, you’re going to be disappointed. She famously skipped the big Dance Moms: The Reunion in 2024, and she hasn't looked back since.
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Her reasoning? It was simple: peace of mind.
Nia has been very vocal on TikTok about the fact that she didn't want to "start drama" or revisit a toxic environment just for a paycheck. While Chloe Lukasiak and the Ziegler sisters have also navigated their own complex relationships with the show's legacy, Nia’s refusal to participate felt like a final boundary. She’s grateful for the platform—she’s said that a million times—but she’s done being a character in someone else’s script.
The "Dancing With The Stars" Buzz
Right now, the internet is collectively losing its mind over the possibility of Nia joining Dancing With the Stars (DWTS). In late 2025, a TikTok campaign started by fans (and supported by pro Brandon Armstrong) went viral. Nia herself has campaigned for a spot on Season 35.
It makes sense. We’ve seen JoJo Siwa and Mackenzie Ziegler do the show. But seeing Nia—the girl who was told she "couldn't" for seven years—take that stage would be a massive full-circle moment for the fandom.
She still dances, but it’s different now. In her book, she talks about falling back in love with movement on her own terms, away from the yelling and the 45-minute "bus-ride" choreography sessions.
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Beyond the Screen: Activism and Business
Nia isn't just an "alum"; she’s an advocate. She has worked on White House campaigns and even interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss reproductive rights and environmental policy.
She's 24.
Let that sink in. Most of us at 24 were still trying to figure out how to fold a fitted sheet, and Nia is at the White House discussing the climate crisis. She has also executive produced her own series like Dance With Nia and continues to work with the AdCouncil on mental health awareness.
What’s Next for Nia Sioux?
The future for nia dance moms now looks a lot like a multi-hyphenate mogul in the making. She’s currently leaning heavily into acting, with credits in The Bold and the Beautiful and the Lifetime movie Imperfect High already under her belt. Rumors have been swirling about her joining the "Next Gen LA" spinoff in a mentor capacity, though she’s been playfully vague about those reports.
If you want to support her journey, the move is clear: read her memoir. It’s the most honest account of the show you’re ever going to get.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Read "Bottom of the Pyramid": If you want the real story of what happened behind the scenes with Abby Lee Miller, this is the definitive source.
- Follow her YouTube/TikTok: She’s one of the few reality stars who actually provides value-driven content rather than just constant ads.
- Watch "Imperfect High": It shows her range as an actress beyond the "dancer" label.
- Advocate for DWTS: If you want to see her on Season 35, the fan momentum is currently what's driving the casting conversation.
Nia Sioux proved that you can be at the bottom of a pyramid and still be the one who ends up on top. She didn't need to win a plastic trophy every week to win at life.