You probably remember the screaming. Or maybe the chair toss. Most people who grew up during the early 2010s have a visceral memory of Kelly Hyland defending her daughters in that cramped Pittsburgh studio. But for Paige and Brooke Hyland, those viral TikTok sounds aren't just memes—they are the blueprints of a childhood that ended abruptly and publicly.
It is weird to think it’s been over a decade since they walked away from the ALDC. Honestly, the internet has a habit of freezing child stars in time. We still want to see Paige as the "bubbly jazz dancer" and Brooke as the "moody acro-prodigy," but the 2026 reality is much more grounded. They aren't trying to be the next big pop stars or chasing the ghost of a dance career that burned them out by the time they were teenagers.
Instead, they’ve pulled off the rarest trick in reality TV history: they became normal. Sorta.
The Myth of the "Lost" Dance Career
One of the biggest misconceptions about Paige and Brooke is that they "failed" because they stopped dancing. If you dig into the old contracts from the show, you'll find some pretty restrictive clauses. Rumor has it they weren't even allowed to dance at other studios for years after leaving.
But talk to them now—or listen to their 2024 reunion reflections—and you'll realize they didn't want to.
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Brooke Hyland was 13 when the show started. She was the oldest on the team and, frankly, she was already "over it" by season one. She’s been open about the fact that she lost her passion for acro under the pressure of the cameras. By the time she reached college age, she wasn't looking for a stage; she was looking for a degree. She eventually graduated from Ohio University, a move that felt like a quiet act of rebellion against the "fame at all costs" mentality of the industry.
Paige’s exit was more traumatic. The panic attacks she suffered on-screen are still hard for fans to watch. But here is the thing people miss: she’s actually thanked her mom for that infamous fight with Abby Lee Miller. It was the exit ramp they both desperately needed.
Life in 2026: More Than Just Throwback Clips
Fast forward to today. Paige and Brooke are staples in the "lifestyle influencer" space, but not in that overly curated, robotic way. They’ve leaned into being relatable.
Brooke is currently navigating a huge life chapter—she got engaged to Brian Thalman in 2024. Watching her transition from the "big sister" of the dance team to someone planning a wedding and building a home in Pittsburgh has been a trip for long-time followers. It’s a very different vibe from the high-stress environment of 12-hour rehearsals.
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Paige, meanwhile, has carved out a space in modeling and fashion. She’s always had that "it factor," but she’s used it to partner with brands like Lulu’s rather than trying to get back on a reality show. It's refreshing. You don't see her thirsty for the spotlight. She seems to value her privacy, which is wild considering her face was on millions of TV screens before she hit puberty.
Dealing with the Heavy Stuff: Family and Health
It hasn't all been brand deals and engagement rings, though. The Hyland family has had a rough couple of years, and it's brought the sisters closer than ever.
Their mom, Kelly, recently went through a harrowing battle with breast cancer. Just as she was ringing the bell to celebrate the end of her treatment in 2025, the family got hit with more news: she needed open-heart surgery for a leaking valve.
Paige and Brooke used their platforms to keep fans updated, but you could tell the toll it took. Brooke’s TikToks during that time were raw. She wasn't trying to sell a product; she was just a daughter asking for prayers for her mom. That kind of transparency is why they’ve kept such a loyal following. They don't just post the "slay" moments; they post the "life is falling apart" moments too.
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Why They Still Matter in the 2026 Landscape
The influencer world is changing. People are tired of the "aesthetic" and the fake perfection. We're seeing a shift toward "casual content," and Paige and Brooke fit perfectly into that. They’ve been through the "over-produced" machine and came out the other side wanting something real.
- Relatability: They actually show their flaws and family struggles.
- Loyalty: They didn't turn their backs on their Dance Moms castmates. They’re still tight with Chloe Lukasiak and Nia Sioux.
- Boundaries: They know when to stop filming. That’s a skill many newer creators haven't learned yet.
What You Can Learn from the Hyland Sisters
If you're looking at their journey and wondering what the "takeaway" is, it’s basically about reclamation. They reclaimed their lives from a narrative that was written for them by producers.
- Pivot when the passion dies. Brooke could have forced a dance career. She didn't. She chose stability and education, and she's happier for it.
- Forgiveness is for you. They’ve found closure with their past. They don't spend their days bashing their old teacher; they just live their lives.
- Family over everything. Through cancer scares and heart surgeries, they’ve proven that the bond forged in that high-pressure studio was real, even if the drama was sometimes manufactured.
The story of Paige and Brooke isn't a tragedy of "what could have been." It’s a success story of two women who refused to let their childhood define their adulthood. They are more than just the girls from that one dance show. They’re survivors of the reality TV era, and honestly, they’re doing better than anyone expected.
If you want to support them, the best way is to engage with their current projects—like Brooke’s lifestyle vlogs or Paige’s fashion collaborations—rather than just commenting "I miss the old Paige" on their posts. Let them grow up. They've earned it.
To keep up with their latest updates, you can follow Brooke's journey through her wedding planning and Kelly's recovery updates on her social channels, as she's become the unofficial spokesperson for the family's news. Supporting their legitimate brand partnerships, like their recent clothing collections, also helps them maintain the independent careers they've worked so hard to build post-television.