Eight years after her seven-season run on the hit actuality present “Dance Mothers” ended, Nia Sioux is able to share her aspect of the story. The 24-year-old dancer, singer, and actress is releasing her memoir, Backside of the Pyramid: A Memoir of Persevering, Dancing for Myself, and Starring in My Personal Life (Harper Horizon), on November 4. Chronicling her life each on and off digicam throughout “Dance Mothers,” the ebook reveals the present’s typically poisonous internal workings with unflinching honesty. One in every of six debut solid members, Sioux was constantly positioned on the backside of a weekly “pyramid” rating the dancers’ performances at competitions. In Backside of the Pyramid, Sioux rejects this narrative and redefines her story as one in every of grit and charm.
Dance Spirit caught up with Sioux to speak concerning the writing course of, her relationship to bop, and what it actually means to be on the backside of the pyramid.
How do you know it was time to share your aspect of the story, and the way does it really feel now that the ebook is lastly out on this planet?
For a very long time I wished to share my story, however I used to be nervous about how folks—not simply my solid members, but additionally individuals who had watched the present—would take it. It has plenty of ups and downs. I by no means wish to carry up drama simply to carry up drama, however on the finish of the day, that drama was my life, and I’ve by no means gotten to share it. As soon as I received over the concern of what different folks would take into consideration my expertise, it simply felt like the precise time.
Might you converse concerning the ebook’s title, Backside of the Pyramid?
Backside of the Pyramid is a testomony to my life, my journey. I used to be labeled the unhealthy dancer, the weak hyperlink, the underside, by my dance instructor [Abby Lee Miller] on the present. Earlier than I knew it, that’s type of how the world knew me. So I wished to take that title and switch it into one thing optimistic. I’ve at all times been an optimistic individual, and that’s actually what the ebook is about—being on the backside doesn’t imply it’s important to keep there. You’ll be able to climb your option to the highest.
You point out how writing the ebook introduced again recollections and stirred up intense feelings for you. Was there something you realized about your self throughout this course of?
I realized that I hadn’t processed every little thing—I by no means actually had closure with the present.
However I additionally realized that all through the entire present, I used to be assured. Again within the day, I wouldn’t have stated that, however I used to be. Regardless that at instances I felt like I wasn’t wished or wasn’t adequate, at the back of my head I nonetheless had the concept that I used to be there for a motive. I at all times had the eagerness and drive to maintain going. I believe that takes braveness and plenty of guts.
You recount some examples of bullying and racism from authority figures. What was it wish to share these experiences in writing?
It was actually necessary for me to write down about experiences with authority figures who abused their energy as a result of not solely is it therapeutic for me, however I do know lots of people, particularly within the dance world, have handled the identical issues. I’ve had folks remark on-line or come as much as me and say, “Hey, I used to be the one Black woman at my dance studio, and I handled comparable experiences.” I believe it’s necessary that we share our tales, as a result of that’s the one means we will join and lean on each other.
Your mother performs an necessary function on this ebook. How did she help its creation? My mother has been a part of the entire course of. I had her learn every little thing I wrote and watch again episodes with me. This ebook is truthfully as a lot hers as it’s mine. I type of view this as our story as a result of our tales are intertwined. She’s the one who inspired me to write down about among the troublesome issues, and he or she at all times let me converse my fact.
Nearly all of this ebook focuses in your childhood on “Dance Mothers.” If that youthful Nia may see you now, what do you suppose she’d say?
I believe she’d be so proud! I’ve had essentially the most superb alternatives postshow, and I’m solely 24. Not solely career-wise however in my private life, as properly—she’d be like, “Wow, you’ve mates, that’s loopy!” I didn’t have that many mates rising up, and I used to be insecure about my physique after I was a tween. Now, I’m lastly at a spot the place I really like myself and I’ve good folks in my life.
You additionally speak about how your relationship with dance continues to evolve as you heal from previous traumas. Are you able to describe that relationship at present?
After the present ended, it took me a second to search out my love for dance once more as a result of I felt burnt out. I had gone to extra dance competitions than anybody ought to of their lifetime, and I used to be always torn down—not simply by solid members but additionally by the general public. I realized to take my energy again and returned to dancing in faculty. I used to be a part of a dance membership, which was therapeutic as a result of I used to be simply dancing for enjoyable. It undoubtedly took the stress off, not competing anymore.
I maintain my dance life extra non-public now as a result of persons are nonetheless important. Perhaps in some unspecified time in the future I’ll share extra of my dancing, however for now it’s my protected house. I’m defending this love [of dance] as a result of it’s fragile. I’ve to be light with it.
What do you hope younger Black dancers can take away from studying this?
It’s arduous once you’re in these areas the place you don’t see anybody who appears such as you. You must work twice as arduous, you realize? Simply know that your arduous work pays off and that you’re seen. We’ve received one another, and now we have a neighborhood to lean on.
What recommendation would you give to different dancers who wish to begin advocating for themselves and telling their very own tales?
I believe it’s actually necessary to be trustworthy with your self. Storytelling is so highly effective. It’s necessary that we share our tales as a result of we dwell in a time the place they’re not being honored. They’re being hidden, so now we have to talk up. That’s the one means issues get higher—the one means we study and create neighborhood. Illustration issues. Everybody’s story issues.
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