HOUSTON – You remember her from Dance Moms — now Nia Sioux is a bestselling author and working actress. She sat down with Houston Life to talk about her memoir, “Bottom of the Pyramid,” life after the show and what’s next - including a special appearance at Mockingbird Books in Katy.
A rising star from Dance Moms
Nia Sioux began dancing with the Abby Lee Dance Company at age 3 and joined the breakout reality series Dance Moms at 9. Over seven seasons she became one of the show’s most recognizable faces, navigating the highs and lows of competitive dance under coach Abby Lee Miller. Today, at 24, Sioux is carving a new path as an actress and author, showing fans there’s more to her story than what viewers saw on TV.
The book that started conversations
In November Sioux released her memoir “Bottom of the Pyramid,” which recounts her experience as the show’s only Black dancer and the challenges that came with that spotlight. She writes candidly about being labeled the company’s weak link, attempts to stay in the coach’s favor, and how racist microaggressions affected her.
Sioux credits family support — especially her mother, Dr. Holly — and the therapeutic act of writing for helping her heal. The book became a New York Times bestseller soon after release.
New roles and hometown appearances
After leaving Dance Moms before its final season, Sioux pivoted to acting, taking on roles including appearances on The Bold and the Beautiful and in the 2024 Mean Girls film. She’ll also join the cast of 11 to Midnight for a limited engagement beginning May 15 at the Orpheum Theatre, a high-energy show set at a New Year’s Eve party that blends choreography with a genre-hopping soundtrack.
Locally, Sioux will meet fans at a book signing on April 22 at 7 p.m. at Mockingbird Books in Katy.
Whether you remember her from the dance studio or you’re just discovering her writing and stage work, Nia Sioux’s story is one of resilience and reinvention — a reminder that life after reality TV can still surprise us.