Kenzie Ziegler is opening up about skipping the Dance Moms reunion special that aired earlier this year.
The now 20-year-old singer was on the Lifetime reality show through the first six seasons, alongside her sister Maddie and mom Melissa.
Towards the end of 2023, several stars from the show reunited and filmed a reunion special, which aired in May, with Kenzie, Maddie and Nia Sioux all not in attendance. Some of the other stars seemingly threw shade at them for not attending.
Now, in a new interview, Kenzie is opening up about her decision to attend the reunion taping.
Keep reading to find out more…
“I obviously watched it. I saw a lot of comments like, ‘Why didn’t they do this for the fans? Why didn’t they go?’” Kenzie told Cosmopolitan. “Personally, I just dealt with a lot of trauma from that show and I have the worst anxiety from it. I would’ve loved to be with the girls. But I also didn’t want to sit on television and watch back a traumatic part of my life that is so far from me now.”
“I’m sorry to the fans. I know they wanted all of us there, but I didn’t feel comfortable,” she continued. “People think Maddie and I are unappreciative about where we came from. I don’t feel the need to talk about it because I’m an adult and I was a child at the time. It’s, like, does Ariana Grande still talk about Sam & Cat?”
Kenzie also recalled her time on the show, and what it’s like looking back as an adult.
“I recently watched an episode for the first time—I’ve never watched it before. I’ve only ever seen clips and TikToks of other people posting funny edits,” Kenzie shared. “I don’t remember a lot from it because I started when I was 6 years old. That was my childhood. I never went to middle or high school or did any normal kid things. So, looking back at it, I feel sad for myself because I never got to experience real life. I mentally feel like I’m 45 because I’ve lived so many lives. I had to grow up so quickly.”
She also opened up about the impact being on the show has had on her career.
“I’m so thankful for that experience because I wouldn’t be where I am without it,” she says. “I wouldn’t have such tough skin because this industry is so intense, especially with the social media aspect of it. No matter who you are, people are going to find a way to hate you. Now, anyone could say anything to me and I’m like, ‘Whatever.’ I feel good and I’m happy.”
If you missed it, find out why Nia Sioux didn’t attend the reunion, and what Maddie had to say about her Dance Moms past.
Did you know a new Dance Moms show is coming out? Watch the trailer!
