Maddie Ziegler is an American dancer and actress who became famous as a child through the reality television series Dance Moms. Born on September 30, 2002, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she began dancing at a very young age and developed into one of the most recognizable young dancers of her generation.
Ziegler gained international attention through her performances in music videos for Australian singer Sia, particularly the 2014 video for “Chandelier.” Her expressive contemporary dance performance became a global viral phenomenon and helped transform her from a reality-TV personality into an internationally recognized performer. She later appeared in films, television programs, advertising campaigns and fashion projects.
As an adult, Ziegler has increasingly focused on acting and modeling while continuing to draw on her dance background. Her film credits include The Book of Henry, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, Music, Fitting In and the 2026 film Pretty Lethal. She was also included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in the Hollywood & Entertainment category in 2023.
Maddie Ziegler Profile Summary
| Profile | Details |
| Full Name | Madison Nicole Ziegler |
| Date of Birth | September 30, 2002 |
| Age | 23 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Dancer and actress |
| Famous For | Dance Moms and Sia’s “Chandelier” music video |
| Mother | Melissa Ziegler-Gisoni |
| Father | Kurt Ziegler |
| Sister | Mackenzie Ziegler |
| Relationship Status | Private |
| Education | Homeschooled |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) |
| Years Active | 2010–present |
Maddie Ziegler Early Life
Maddie Nicole Ziegler was born on September 30, 2002, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Melissa Ziegler-Gisoni and Kurt Ziegler. She grew up in the Pittsburgh area with her younger sister, Mackenzie Ziegler, who also became a dancer and performer. Her parents divorced in 2011, and her mother later married Greg Gisoni.
Ziegler developed an interest in dance when she was only two years old. She eventually joined the Abby Lee Dance Company at age four, where she trained in several styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and acrobatics. Her early training gave her a strong technical foundation and helped prepare her for competitive dance.
Her childhood changed dramatically when she entered television. At just eight years old, she appeared alongside her mother, sister and other young dancers on Lifetime’s Dance Moms. The program documented the dancers’ training and competitions and introduced Ziegler to a large television audience.
Maddie Ziegler Education
Ziegler initially attended Sloan Elementary School in Murrysville, Pennsylvania. As her professional career became increasingly demanding, however, she left traditional schooling and was homeschooled beginning in 2013.
Homeschooling allowed her to maintain her education while traveling for dance competitions, television appearances, filming and other professional commitments. By her early teenage years, much of her time was divided between her work in entertainment and her education.
Ziegler did not pursue a traditional college education after completing her schooling. Instead, she continued developing her career in acting, dance, modeling and entertainment, gradually transitioning from a child performer into an adult actress and creative professional.
Maddie Ziegler Career
Maddie Ziegler’s career began with dance before expanding into television, music videos, acting, modeling and fashion. Her early exposure to competitive dance gave her the skills that would eventually make her internationally famous.
Dance Moms
Ziegler joined Dance Moms in 2011 as one of the original young dancers featured on the series. The show followed the Abby Lee Dance Company and its young performers as they trained for competitions and dealt with the intense expectations placed on them.
She quickly became one of the show’s standout dancers. Her emotional performances, technical ability and consistency made her a favorite among viewers and helped establish her as the most recognizable dancer associated with the program.
Ziegler remained on Dance Moms until 2016. By the time she left the series, she had already developed an international following and had begun building a career outside reality television.
Sia Collaboration
One of the biggest turning points in Ziegler’s career came through her collaboration with Sia. She appeared in the music video for “Chandelier” in 2014, performing an emotionally intense contemporary routine inside an empty house.
The video became a worldwide sensation and transformed Ziegler into an internet-era dance icon. She subsequently appeared in Sia’s videos for songs including “Elastic Heart” and “Big Girls Cry.”
Ziegler also performed Sia’s choreography on television programs and at major events and later toured with the singer. The collaboration became one of the defining professional relationships of her teenage years.
Acting Career
Ziegler began expanding into acting while still a teenager. She appeared in television productions before making her feature-film debut in The Book of Henry in 2017.
She later appeared in projects including To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, Music, Fitting In and other television and film productions. Her role as a young dancer in Music allowed her to draw directly on her dance experience, although the film generated controversy surrounding its portrayal of autism and casting choices.
Her acting career continued into 2026, with Pretty Lethal among her recent screen projects. This period represents a broader transition in Ziegler’s career from being primarily known as a dancer to establishing herself as an actress.
Modeling and Fashion
Ziegler has also worked extensively as a model and fashion personality. She has appeared in advertising campaigns, magazines and fashion projects and has collaborated with major brands.
Her influence as a young celebrity helped her secure opportunities beyond conventional dance and acting. She has also participated in fashion-related projects and used her public profile to develop a broader entertainment career.
Maddie Ziegler Trending: Why Is Maddie Ziegler Famous?
Maddie Ziegler remains famous because of the remarkable transition she made from Dance Moms child star to internationally recognized dancer and actress. Her association with Sia, particularly the “Chandelier” music video, remains one of the biggest reasons people continue to search for her.
In 2026, interest in Ziegler has also been sustained by her acting career and newer film work. Her appearance in Pretty Lethal has added another contemporary credit to a filmography that increasingly defines her as an actress rather than simply a former reality-TV dancer.
Her personal life also continues to attract attention because of her high-profile childhood, her relationship history and her close connection with her younger sister, Mackenzie Ziegler. Despite growing up in the public eye, Maddie has generally become more private about her personal relationships as she has gotten older.
Maddie Ziegler Personal Life
Maddie Ziegler has generally kept her personal life relatively private as an adult. She previously had publicly known relationships, including a relationship with Australian social-media personality Jack Kelly and a later relationship with musician Eddie Benjamin.
Ziegler and Benjamin were romantically linked beginning in 2019 and were together for several years before their relationship ended in the early 2020s. Since then, reports about her dating life have generated continued public interest, but she has generally avoided making her relationships the central focus of her public image.
Family remains an important part of Ziegler’s life. She has a particularly well-known relationship with her younger sister, Mackenzie, who also appeared on Dance Moms and developed careers in music, dance and entertainment. The sisters have continued to support one another professionally.
Maddie Ziegler Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Maddie Ziegler was born on September 30, 2002, and is 23 years old in 2026. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is an American citizen. She is of Polish, German and Italian ancestry.
Ziegler was raised in a Christian household, although she has generally kept her personal religious beliefs private as an adult. Public biographies do not provide enough information to confidently identify a specific denomination as her current religious affiliation.
Maddie Ziegler is approximately 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 metres) tall. She is widely recognized for her slim dancer’s physique, brown hair and expressive performance style, which became particularly famous through her contemporary dance performances.
Maddie Ziegler Social Media Presence
Maddie Ziegler has a major social-media following and has used platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to share aspects of her professional and personal life. Her online presence has helped her maintain a connection with the large audience she developed during her childhood career.
Her social-media activity now reflects a broader adult career, including acting, fashion, beauty and entertainment rather than being focused solely on competitive dance.
Ziegler’s online popularity is also closely connected to the enduring success of her dance performances. Clips and discussions surrounding her Dance Moms performances and Sia collaborations continue to circulate across social platforms.
Maddie Ziegler Net Worth
Maddie Ziegler’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Several celebrity-finance publications estimate her fortune at approximately $5 million, although such figures are estimates rather than audited financial statements.
Her income has come from multiple areas, including Dance Moms, music-video performances, Sia’s tours, acting, modeling, brand partnerships, fashion projects and other entertainment work. Her career diversification has allowed her to continue earning well beyond her childhood television years.
Because there is no official public accounting of her personal assets, earnings or investments, claims of a precise net worth should be treated cautiously. A figure around $5 million is best presented as a widely reported estimate rather than a confirmed amount.
Maddie Ziegler Legacy
Maddie Ziegler’s greatest legacy is her role in bringing contemporary dance to a massive mainstream and internet audience. Through Dance Moms and her performances for Sia, she demonstrated how a young dancer could become a global entertainment personality without following a conventional pop-star career path.
Her “Chandelier” performance became particularly influential because of the way it combined dance technique, acting and emotional expression. The performance helped establish a new generation of young viewers who encountered contemporary dance primarily through viral online video.
Ziegler’s career also demonstrates the possibilities available to child performers who successfully transition into adulthood. Rather than remaining defined solely by Dance Moms, she has built an independent career in film, television, fashion and modeling, giving her a professional identity beyond the reality series that first made her famous.
Conclusion
Maddie Ziegler is an American dancer and actress who rose to fame through Dance Moms before becoming an international sensation through Sia’s “Chandelier” music video. Her transition into acting, modeling and fashion has allowed her to build a career beyond childhood reality television, with projects such as The Book of Henry, Music, Fitting In and Pretty Lethal. At 23, she remains one of the most recognizable performers to emerge from the Dance Moms era.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maddie Ziegler
Who is Maddie Ziegler?
Maddie Ziegler is an American dancer and actress who became famous through Dance Moms and Sia’s “Chandelier” music video.
How old is Maddie Ziegler?
Maddie Ziegler was born on September 30, 2002, and is 23 years old in 2026.
What is Maddie Ziegler’s real name?
Her full birth name is Madison Nicole Ziegler.
Where was Maddie Ziegler born?
Maddie Ziegler was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.
Why is Maddie Ziegler famous?
She is famous for appearing on Dance Moms and starring in Sia’s music videos, especially the globally successful “Chandelier” video.
Is Maddie Ziegler still a dancer?
Yes. Although she has increasingly focused on acting and modeling, dance remains an important part of her professional identity and career.
What happened to Maddie Ziegler after Dance Moms?
After leaving Dance Moms in 2016, Ziegler expanded her career into acting, modeling, fashion and other entertainment work. She also continued working with Sia for a period.
What movies has Maddie Ziegler been in?
Her film credits include The Book of Henry, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, Music, Fitting In and Pretty Lethal.
How tall is Maddie Ziegler?
Maddie Ziegler is approximately 5 feet 7 inches, or 1.70 metres, tall.
Does Maddie Ziegler have a sister?
Yes. Her younger sister is Mackenzie Ziegler, who is also a dancer, singer and entertainer.
Who are Maddie Ziegler’s parents?
Her parents are Melissa Ziegler-Gisoni and Kurt Ziegler.
Is Maddie Ziegler married?
No. Maddie Ziegler is not publicly known to be married.
Does Maddie Ziegler have children?
No. Maddie Ziegler does not have children.
Who did Maddie Ziegler date?
Maddie Ziegler has previously been publicly linked to Jack Kelly and musician Eddie Benjamin. She generally keeps her current romantic life private.
What is Maddie Ziegler’s religion?
Ziegler was raised in a Christian household, although she has kept details of her current religious beliefs private.
What is Maddie Ziegler’s net worth?
Maddie Ziegler’s net worth is widely estimated at around $5 million, although this figure is not officially confirmed.
Did Maddie Ziegler go to college?
No. After leaving traditional school, Ziegler was homeschooled and focused on her professional career rather than attending a traditional college.
How old was Maddie Ziegler when she joined Dance Moms?
Maddie Ziegler was eight years old when she began appearing on Dance Moms in 2011.
How old was Maddie Ziegler when she danced in Chandelier?
Maddie Ziegler was 11 years old when she appeared in Sia’s “Chandelier” music video in 2014.
Is Maddie Ziegler still acting?
Yes. Ziegler continues to pursue acting and has taken on film and television projects as part of her transition from child dancer to adult performer.