Maddie Ziegler Signs With IMG Models, Happy To Move On From Reality TV


Maddie Ziegler can now officially add “model” to her list of jobs. The Dance Moms alum has just announced that she’s signed with IMG Models, famous for representing stars like Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Miranda Kerr, and Gisele Bundchen, among others.

On Instagram, Maddie Ziegler announced that she’s now part of the IMG Models family. The Dance Moms alum also shared a photo with co-models Ashley Graham, Hailey Baldwin, Cameron Dallas, among others.

“SO happy to be apart of the IMG family alongside these incredible people,” she wrote.

It has only been a year since Maddie Ziegler left Dance Moms, and the 14-year-old has already proven that she’s much better off without the reality TV drama. After releasing her first memoir, The Maddie Diaries, Ziegler went on to star in her debut film, The Book of Henry. She has also since launched her very own clothing line, inspired by her own personal style.

During an appearance on The Project (via Daily Mail), Ziegler admitted that she was happy to finally move on from Dance Moms. Given that the show thrives on drama, Ziegler shared that the producers would often take it upon themselves to make the episodes more interesting for the viewers.

“It definitely was (full-on). They (the producers) create drama because that is what a reality show does. There has to be drama involved,” Ziegler said.

Although she remains thankful to Dance Moms for giving her the exposure during the early stage in her career, Ziegler was happy that she no longer has to deal with all the drama surrounding the show.

“It was that crazy. I am very happy – as much as I loved my time on the show, I am glad to move on so I don’t have to be stressed and deal with the drama. It was really intense.”

Much to the dismay of fans, Maddie Ziegler has rarely been seen hanging out with her former Dance Moms co-stars. According to Ziegler, although she and the girls will always have this special bond, it was difficult to stay in touch with everybody because of their busy schedules.

Ziegler also seemed to have lost contact with Abby Lee Miller, her dance coach for about six years. In an interview with Us Weekly, Miller claimed that none of the original Dance Moms cast, including Ziegler and Chloe Lukasiak, has reached out her in the wake of her impending prison sentence. Clearly upset, the ALDC coach pointed out that the kids and the people behind the Dance Moms production made a lot of money because of her but no one even bothered to check up on her.

“Nobody original from the show [has reached out to me]. You know, they’ve made a lot of money over the years and not a peep! And no one from the production company, no way,” she said.

Even though she has not heard from Ziegler and Lukasiak, Miller revealed that the current cast members had been very supportive during this difficult time in her life. She shared that Elliana, Lilly, Maesi, Brynn, and their moms have all reached out to her, which she greatly appreciated, saying that she treated these kids as if they were her own.

“And my own students, you know, of course, that are at my studio, but didn’t get the pleasure and the money and the perks of being on a television show, but have paid me since they were 3 years old and are very loyal customers and loyal students,” she added.

In May, Abby Lee Miller was found guilty on 20 counts of bankruptcy fraud, concealment of bankruptcy asset, and false bankruptcy declarations. The former Dance Moms star was sentenced to 366 days in prison and required to pay a $40,000 fine.

[Featured Image by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]

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