You might remember Nia Sioux from the seven seasons of “Dance Moms” she appeared on, but that was 10 years ago. Now, Sioux has just released her first book, “Bottom of the Pyramid,” which reflects on the hardships she faced growing up on a reality TV show. Everyone remembers Sioux for her role on “Dance Moms,” but her memoir proves she is more than just a child star.
Nia’s Time on Dance Moms
“Bottom of the Pyramid” opens up with Sioux’s time on “Dance Moms,” where she was just nine years old when the show first aired in 2011. For the majority of her time as a cast member, Sioux recalls she was the only African American on the competition dance team. With that, Sioux often faced racist comments from her then-dance teacher, Abby Lee Miller.
Sioux says she was frequently typecast for roles in dances and recalls wearing costumes that differed from the rest of her teammates. Most notably, Sioux revealed that she tried to visit Miller in the hospital when she was battling cancer, but was turned away, marking the end of her relationship with the former dance teacher.
The memoir’s title refers to the “pyramids” on “Dance Moms,” where each week, all of the dancers were ranked on a pyramid based on their performances. During Sioux’s time on the show, she was placed at the bottom of the pyramid frequently. The show labeled Sioux as one of the weakest dancers on the team, and often discredited her dancing. Now, Sioux is reclaiming the title and showcasing all that she has accomplished after her departure from the show.
Life After “Dance Moms”
After opening up about her experience on “Dance Moms,” Sioux explores what she has done with her career post-reality TV. After graduating from UCLA with a BA in American literature and culture, Sioux has continued her acting and music career, as well as diving into politics. Sioux has had the opportunity to speak with both former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, which was a highlight in her career. Her memoir serves as an inspiration to anyone else who has felt misunderstood in the past, and encourages them to create their own narrative.
“If you’ve ever felt overlooked, undervalued or have been told you’re not good enough, this book is for you,”
Sioux via Instagram.
Would you read “Bottom of the Pyramid?” Let us know your thoughts on Instagram or X @VALLEYmag!
