“It really truly felt like closing the book onDance Moms, which was good for me.
THEN: Its so wild to think thatDance Momsfirst aired 13 years ago.
But I’ve known Paige since, I think, our first dance class.
And Brooke was her older sister.
I saw her around.
We weren’t close friends because she was part of an older group, but I knew her.
We were friends, but not as close as Paige and I were.
And I’ve known Nia a long time.
And then Maddie came after.
So, we were like, “Oh, this will be cool.
I remember my mom filming auditions on her little flip camera.
I was like, “Okay, yeah, sure, whatever.”
To me, that was just my life.
The whole premise of the show changed as he got to know the studio.
And he was like, “Oh, everything I’m looking for is in this one place.”
He was actually looking for multiple moms across different places.
True story: She actually sent Kelly and me toNew Yorkto get out of the way.
Just likeCinderellaand her stepsisters!
She sent us away so we couldn’t be taped.
But yeah, she tried to get rid of us, which tracks so far, right?
I asked who was in the cast.
Then he said Melissa and Holly [Frazier], and I was like, “Holly?!”
and I said, “Oh, they need someone normal.
Then he said, “And then another woman named Cathy [Nesbitt-Stein].”
And I said, “Well, what’s she like?”
And he goes, “Oh, you’ll find out.”
And we’re going to film six more episodes this summer; pack your bags.”
I was like, “I have a 1-year-old.
What am I supposed to do with her?”
And they said, “Bring her!”
So it was weird, wild life.
But to what Chloe said, we were still living in the same house.
We were going to the same studio.
We were hanging out with the same people.
We were shopping in the same places.
Chloe:We were still going to school, too.
Did either of you have any worries about what the reunion would be like?
So I was like, I’d rather be there and be able to take control of my narrative.
I was like, “Well, I’m gonna be anxious anyway,” you know?
And I’d probably be anxious about what’s going to happen even if I wasn’t on it.
It really truly felt like closing the book onDance Moms, which was good for me.
Christi:I wasn’t there when they filmed the reunion; I had other obligations.
So, I was very much still a part of it.
I just wasn’t on location.
I very much felt like I was part of it for sure.
And it killed me not to be there.
Because, like Chloe said, you’ve got to speak up and say your piece.
So, it’s all come full circle.
Or was it a surprise for both of you?
Chloe:No, I knew right away.
Yeah, lots of calls.
Lots of like, “Oh, I don’t know…” Lots of play-by-play.
Chloe:I mean, like, going through an experience like that is unlike any other.
That already formed a strong bond, let alone going through what we went through together.
They’re some of the only relationships in my life that I can say are completely unshakable.
Like no time has passed.
We all went on our own paths and have our own career directions.
Everyone’s doing their own thing now, so it’s hard to maintain constant contact.
Christi:I have a group chat with all the moms.
I talked to some moms more than the others.
We all have different personalities, clearly.
I speak to Kelly quite a bit still, and we have our podcasts that we do every week.
It wasn’t just all the negative stuff that people watched.
We had a lot of really good stuff, too.
and we’re like, “Those jerks!”
[Laughs]
Chloe:Yes!
So yeah, Paige and I often did that we did a lot of things.
We were putting toothpaste in Oreos, and we were just honestly menaces to society.
Or even any that youre most proud of?
Chloe:Oh my goodness.
I’d be like, “I don’t know how to do improv!”
One of my favorites was"Lucky Star.
“I was in a great costume.
They all blend together.
Like, they’re all the same names and about some stars.
I loved"Unchained.
“That was one of my favorite solos.
There was another one, oh what was it called?
It was a solo I did.
Christi:It was like a Spanish number.
You just found that not too long ago.
Chloe:My turns look good!
Can’t remember the name of the next time you answer.
I’ll look it up.
But I really liked that song as well.
There was something very raw about Chloe at that point.
It’s terrible to look back on and think about what she could have been going through.
But I mean, that number, for whatever reason, was the first dance after the Hylands left.
“So, you had fire, stars, and birds.
Chloe: I don’t remember “Into Me.”
I’m gonna have to watch it.
BuzzFeed: Literally, after this interview, you’re gonna have to pull all these dances up.
Chloe:I know, I know!
There was a flag dance at one point.
I know we danced in boots, which made costumes.
I remember a few random tidbits about the dances.
Christi:You broke Mackenzie [Ziegler]’s neck in"Amber Alert.
“You shot Maddie [Ziegler] in"Runaways.”
Chloe:[Laughs] I guess something about me just screams homicide!
Christi:We have all the costumes at home.
We could go back and take them out and talk about each one.
NOW: Chloe, you stepped away from dance, too.
What made you want to come back and create your own dance competition, Eleve?
Chloe:I always knew I’d come back to dance in some way.
I just didn’t know what way that was.
I couldn’t really see myself turning around and dancing again.
It’s just a natural progression, eventually, maybe or never.
But I knew that there was something missing regarding the show.
Like, I’ve always been so grateful because it gave me so many opportunities.
And it completely changed my life.
But it felt like there was some sort of full circle moment that wasn’t happening specifically with dance.
And I was like, “What is that reason?”
I really pondered it for a couple of years.
And then it hit me.
Aside fromDance Moms, the dance world is notoriously toxic and pretty negative.
I can’t tell you how many of our judges have reached out to people.
They’re gaining something from it.
They know that when they go, they’re going to have an amazing experience.
It’s going to lift them up, rekindle their passion, and be like a celebration of dance.
[My mom] has been a big part of this.
So, it’s interesting to put our heads together.
A former dance mom and a former dancer, we have two different perspectives.
I have always felt that that’s an important trait to instill in my girls, especially.
And she’s very young, but you wouldn’t know it because her business head is impeccable.
I’m just a dance mom to a lot of kids now.
Can we give them a pep talk?
It just makes me really proud.
Chloe:[Laughs] Like I said, something about me screams homicide!
That’s the takeaway!
The lamb had to scream, Chloe!
Were you expecting such a strong fan reaction when you first began the series?
Christi:No, not at all.
If anything, I think I was probably really worried about that.
Because I mean, fans will come after you for anything and everything.
I’m like, “Yes, I yell at my kids!”
Like, I had short-tempered moments, to be honest.
But I didn’t quite realize how many people would hold on to that so dearly.
And it’s really nice to hear that.
Christi:I think we’re very normal.
I think we go through ebbs and flows.
I think we go through times when we’re super close.
I think we go through times where we’re like, “Ugh, get away from me.”
I especially found this with Clara, who’s 14.
That happens in junior high.
Chloe was with me in junior high, so there was none of that.
So, actually, I think that that push and pull happened later for Chloe.
But I definitely think we come back together always, because she’s my favorite person.
Other than Clara, you guys are equal.
Nobody’s my favorite.
Chloe:I was just going to say that her favorite cat is her favorite kid ever.
Her name is Nellie because she’s the prettiest cat.
Christi:It’s hard, but it’s cute.
I know I like Nellie the most, but I love you guys, too.
Chloe:I’m just really excited that they get to hear our perspective.
I think everyone obviously formed opinions and drew their own conclusions watching the show.
I mean, with reality TV, it’s tricky.
So, we did have a lot of thoughts.
And I always say I wish I had experienced it as an older teen.
Kendall even talks about this a lot in the reunion, or maybe it’s Brooke.
But she said she would have said a lot more back to Abby.
You don’t need to say that.”
Christi:You guys are a little bit more politically correct than your mothers.
Because we said it, just not like that.
I mean, of course, they’re beautiful girls, but they’re beautiful people, too.
I get really excited.
I was talking to her friend this morning.
And I said, “I love these girls.”
Like, I love that I get to see them all tonight.
And every time somebody has success, I am so proud of them.
It’s just a lot.
And then I went to dance class; there just happened to be a camera there.
So it was a lot less intense of a change at once.
Everyone keeps asking, “Why are you also normal?”
And I think it’s because of that.
I didn’t move to LA officially until I was 18.
It’s a very toxic environment.
You just come into it, and it becomes like survival mode.
Christi:And you guys all had really good moms.
And I do think that there’s something to be said about having us in their corner.
I’m gonna take a little bit of credit, [laughs] but you guys are amazing.
All on your own.
I wasn’t there.
But she and I’ve had conversations about it.
So, I think that’s going to be an interesting insight for people, too.
Because I don’t want to live with regrets.
That was a really big choice.
It was a learning experience that has shaped my family, my children, and my life.
I would have done it differently, though.
Chloe:I know I wouldn’t change a single moment of it.
Because I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason.
I’m a big fate person.
Because it taught me a lot about life and gave me a lot of interesting perspectives on the world.
I grew a thick skin, learned empathy, and learned to work hard.
I think it completely had a hand in shaping who I am.
And I wouldn’t want to change that, or my experiences.
So, I wouldn’t change a single moment of it.
I was like, “Oh, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
So, no, I’m grateful for every minute, even the really bad parts.
