Pressley shares how she’s been living in the moment
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Hello, my beautiful people. Welcome back to the Moments Podcast. I am here with a very special guest today. Her name is Presley. Everybody say hi. Hi.

Oh my gosh. She's like the cutest little ball of joy ever. And I knew that before she was coming on today's episode, but just seeing her in person is even better. Like, you're just so sweet. So are you. I mean, I've followed you for so long. Oh my gosh, really? I didn't tell you this, but I literally have been following you for so long. No way. So this is very full circle for me. Wait, this is crazy. Like, I've listened to your podcast. No way. Yeah, I have. I know, because you're just so like...

you bring such a great energy to social media that it's like, how could you not? So thank you so much. No, that was like, obviously before we recorded, I went through and like, I've been following you for a while, but I went to go like stock and like see, because I think I've seen you on dance moms, obviously way back when we'll get into that soon. But like,

And it's just so important to be somebody who's positive and happy and like not, I mean, not happy. We all go through our things, but like be a good light. And I feel like you do such a good job at sharing that. And it's so crazy. We've already crossed paths like so many years before doing this. I know. I know. It's crazy. So cool. So cool. Okay. But before we start and before I want to hear your whole life story, like I want to take it from the top.

I want everybody to know you like more than you know yourself, basically. But first, I'm going to ask you, I don't know if it's four or five questions that I wrote down, but they're just like random would you rathers. And I feel like for you, this one's going to be really obvious. But would you rather never watch a movie again or never listen to music again? Oh, I think hard. Yeah, that's a really hard question. But I think never watch a movie again. I mean, I love watching movies, TV, like whatever. But I listen to music.

all the time yeah and you're like an artist yeah it would be crazy yeah i kind of think that definitely you know i was sitting at the the cafe we came before i was here and i was just trying to think of like some interesting would you rather questions and that came to my head and i was like am i okay like that's like a sad sad would you rather i can't imagine i couldn't imagine not watching movies like i'm literally going to the movies tonight like going to the movie theater is like

I think I'm going to go see Twister. Oh, I've heard it's good. I'm really excited. I want to see it in 4D. Have you seen that? No, but I'm sure it's crazy. So there's like 4D theaters and it's basically like a roller coaster. Like it moves with it. So a lot of like action-packed movies will go to 4D and you can turn like water on and it will like spray you. What?

wait is that do you just go to like the normal movie theater here i think there's like yeah a lot of them here this must be an la thing because like it's very la like yeah if you guys don't know we're recording in la um so fun so cool funky and fresh um but yeah no i just saw inside out too i thought it was so good it's so good i watched it though and everybody kind of was like oh i didn't like it and it started making me second guess if i liked it or not and i'm like i definitely did i

was like I definitely enjoyed it yeah but I'm like I have heard mixed opinions yeah no it's so crazy how other people's opinions affect us so much like that and you have no idea it's like subconsciously like making you rethink if you actually like something exactly I was like that was I think the first time I've ever witnessed myself

like have that happen because I left the movie theater with my boyfriend I had like a tear down my eyes still and I thought it was the cutest sweetest thing and then I forget who I was talking to right after and they were like yeah I thought it was very mediocre and I was like oh maybe yeah like okay yeah never mind anyways I don't know if I would choose movies or music probably music I can't see myself like driving silent

No. And I just got into movies. Like I used to be such a movie hater. Now I really started enjoying them. I used to think that watching TV and movies was a waste of my time. I do get that. I get that because it's like it does take up so much of your time and especially if you're watching a show and you get like really hooked on it like me with Love Island right now. Oh my gosh. I'm like it's taking up way too much of my time. Everybody on the Love Island grind. I have never watched it before and then I watched this season and it makes sense but yeah it does take up

a lot of your time. So I do have that feeling. Yeah, it's like I always feel like I need to be doing something productive. So what I've forced myself to do is to now, I mean, I shouldn't have to justify it at all, but like I've told myself that I need to just appreciate the movie, like the way it's filmed, the cinematography in it, and like just like tie it into something valuable in my life. But yeah,

But really, the truth is you could just watch a movie or a show. It doesn't matter. Like we're supposed to turn our brains off once in a while. OK, next one. This one's also really hard. I don't know what I was going through two hours ago, but would you rather never be home again or never? And I guess home you could call home here. Never be home again or never travel again.

Okay, I'm such a homebody. Like, I love being home, but traveling is, like, my favorite thing. So I think, honestly, never be home again. No, it's kind of a weird thing. But the way I was, like, thinking about what my answer would be, I was like, well, if I travel, I could, like, go places for a long time, long enough that I make it almost, like, home. Yeah. That's a really hard question. Yeah, because – but then I really am homebody. Like, I love to be home. I love my house, my bed. And when I do end up – like, I've been kind of on a travel wave the past few – like, the past month. Yeah.

And all I can think about when I'm sleeping in the hotel bed is you can't wait to get home. I want to go to my bed and, like, sleep in my house and, like, do my laundry. I mean, it's the little things, you know? Yeah. But it is a hard one. I think traveling, though, it's so cool to see other places. It's so cool. And, like, I don't know. I feel like if you're traveling with the right people, like, if I was traveling with, like, my mom and my family, like, it would make it a little bit easier because, like, I don't know. I've moved, like,

to different places and i've moved with my parents and it always like felt like home no matter where we work that's true them yeah it's like so corny like home is where the heart is or whatever but it's so true it's true it's so true home is where your people are and if you get to have them with you anywhere like who cares if you have an uncomfy bed or can't do your laundry yeah the pillows are just like not sitting right yeah exactly okay but i i think i agree that would probably be my answer okay one person you would sit down and have a meal with dead or alive and why

Doesn't have to be someone like super serious either. I've heard this question a million times and all the time my brain's like, oh my God, I'm going to have a brain fart. Like I can't, who do I want to talk to? Probably Taylor Swift. Oh my God, me too. I just like, she's so smart and everything. And she's just like,

has touched so many people around the world i feel like she would just like you could have such a good conversation with her i feel like you could be like wow look at that thing on the wall and she would be like did you know that yes she definitely has so much information like she just like she seems so knowledgeable i just don't know how she does it she's such a rock star it blows my mind it's insane and i just like would love to also like pick her brain and be like so how do you do this do you like plan your life in advance like fully like no she strikes me she's so like type a like she definitely she's

has her stuff known to a T. Like, she... I'm sure she has a... I mean, I know she has a massive team, but I bet you she almost knows what every person on what team is doing and, like, knows them by name. Like, she strikes me as that kind of person. I agree. I agree. Yeah. No, I think...

I'm coming to that dinner if you guys go. Yes. Because I just... Every time somebody asks me, I say the same thing. I say her or Barack Obama. I just think he's such a cool guy. Honestly, yeah. I want to sit with the whole family. I want to go to their family dinner. No, seriously. Okay. Go-to order at your favorite fast food restaurant. Okay. My favorite fast food restaurant right now is Wingstop. I have never had Wingstop. Oh, my gosh. It is so good. I need to try it. Try it while you're here. It is so, so, so good. My dad thinks that it's overrated, but...

Dad's thinking everything's overrated. I agree. I agree he does. But whatever. So my order is I get a three or five piece tender, depending on how I'm feeling. Okay, okay. Yeah, yeah. And I get half Louisiana rub, extra crispy, and then half garlic parmesan. And then I get fries and extra ranch. Oh, God.

Oh, good. Wow. So basically you pick your tenders or can you get like boneless wings too? You can get boneless, you can get bone in, or you can get tenders, or you can get chicken sandwich. Wow, you could do it all now. But then you pick from however many different sauces and rubs they have. There's so many different flavors. Yeah. I also like lemon pepper and hot honey. Really good. Okay, I really need to try. They have a Wingstop at home too. And it used to be a thing that everybody would go to Wingstop and get Wingstop. But then I feel like I didn't hear anything about it for a while. And now there's mukbangs on my TikTok of people eating Wingstop.

all the time it's really bad i feel like i have a problem because i was scrolling and it's like one after another you're like an adult somebody eating it oh maybe i need a break i think i have a problem like it's really bad but no it definitely is like having its comeback and oh it sounds good they like homemade i don't know if it's homemade but like they have their own ranch formula or whatever it's called it is so good like best ranch you'll ever try see i'm kind of a ranch hater but i'm growing out of it i'm growing out of it i don't like condiments this will change your mind

Like white sauces and yellow sauces. I don't know if I've ever said this on the podcast. I hate them. Like, I mean, I don't know why I ever would have. I don't like mustard. I can kind of mess with honey mustard. Okay. A little bit. I like ranch. Mm-hmm.

Certain. A tiny, tiny, tiny drop. I mean, I'm taking a fry and I'm just barely dipping it. Right. And that's new. Like, I couldn't touch it for the longest time. But anyways, enough about ranch. This one, I feel like it's going to be really hard for you. Maybe it won't. Maybe it will. Would you rather never dance again or never sing again? Ooh. That's actually the hardest question. Because right now, you do both. Yeah. And you love to do both. Yes. So...

It's just like an unfair question. Honestly, I'm kind of evil for that. I'm trying to think. I mean, I've been dancing since I was two. So it's been like my whole entire life. But singing is so new and it's become such a big part of my life. And I'm like really excited to like explore that more and get into that world. And I feel like maybe I would. I can't.

I can't say I would never want to dance again. No, I feel like it's fair. I feel you don't have to answer this question, I guess. I just wanted to pick your brain about it because maybe in my head I was like, well, I knew singing was kind of new, but I didn't know how new, but I figured you've been dancing for longer. Yes. So I was like, maybe she's like, honestly, like I love dancing, but now this is my newfound passion. And I don't know. I feel like dance has become such a big part of my life that if I really had to choose, I would be a little bit more okay giving that up.

just because I haven't been able to explore singing fully. So I feel like that would maybe be my answer. That's a solid answer. I like it. Well, thankfully, you don't have to give up either. Exactly.

Okay. And now those are my top five little fun warm-up questions, I guess. But now I want to go all the way back to the beginning. Back to the beginning. Like clearly you started dancing from when you were two. Now we know. Like you've been doing this since you were out the womb. So have you always been somebody when you were younger that like wanted to do everything? Like were you at one point like, oh, I'm going to be a pilot. I'm going to be a teacher. Because I think about all the things that you do now. You sing, dance. You're getting into acting, right? Like I feel like I was – I knew that.

and just do a little bit of everything hosting kind of yeah so I feel like you just have this this bug this itch to try everything and I think it's so cool but tell me how that all happened for you I mean I started dancing when I was two like I said my mom owned a dance studio so I literally was like born into it you had no choice you were dancing probably in the womb yeah I mean my crib was in the dance studio that's amazing so I grew up there I did started at

two and then I did competitive dance at five up until I was 12 and then I did like professional dance jobs like growing up I danced for the Brooklyn Nets kids when I was eight yeah it was really fun I also did a lot of print work when I was younger like I did my first print job when I was three months old like

I did it for Bloomingdale's. So when I was younger, I was in a lot of toy boxes. So anytime I would go into Toys R Us, I would look for myself. It's kind of crazy. Yeah, I was like the face of Lily Pulitzer at one point. No way. I'm like, maybe that's why you just have a familiar face. Maybe because I've seen you everywhere. Yeah, I've been around since I was...

little but like it was just because we lived in New Jersey and New York is like very big with print and like modeling and everything so I had I was signed with Wilhelmina when I was younger which is like a really great agency like it's kind of crazy that I was like three months old that is so cool so you go tell people you're like yeah I'm signed with Wilhelmina when I was since I was three months old how about that they're like what like I don't even know what you're talking about girl yeah so anyways that's kind of how I started and then I obviously did dance moms when I was

And then that kind of. So how did that even happen? Like, well, you said you were into Prince. So you've been kind of in this world for a while. Yeah, but never like fully. Yeah. How does even an opportunity like that arise? Because Dance Moms had how many seasons? There was like. I was on the eighth season. Okay. And does it still, it doesn't still exist anymore. They're actually bringing it back. No way. Yeah. But with like a whole different studio, everything. So they're kind of like, it's like a new era of it. Oh my God.

But mine was the last one with Abby and like the original kind of like, not the original cast, but with Abby. But yeah, so I was a huge fan of Dance Moms growing up. Like I watched all the time. Weren't we all? Like everybody was. We all knew Dance Moms. Yeah, it was like literally my favorite thing. Always my dream to be on the show. So I would go to a lot of the like booty camps and like, you know, like workshops. It's actually kind of insane that we got so excited to watch Dance Moms.

that all the time. Like granted now looking back on like some of the probably behaviors that we saw sometimes. Yeah. Kind of crazy. It's kind of crazy that people are really like drawn to that. But it's also reality TV now. Like what we want to watch people like like each other and flirt like it's it's very strange. I feel like it's human nature. It's something that can be kind of like we don't recognize that it might be impacting us but we still want to watch it. Yeah. Anyway. So yeah I grew up

going to all these things but my like i said my mom owned a dance studio and she would have a lot of like

master classes and have like these like well-known teachers come and like teach us so she had gianna martello who was one of the choreographers on the show um come and teach us a couple times and then she was there this one time and she was like oh we're actually casting for like a new season we're like they're doing another season like that's kind of crazy she's like how are they still going yeah exactly and um she's like you're actually the perfect age like we should submit her so we submitted that it was like an i

I guess like a form that you could just like fill out. So random. I mean, it makes sense. I remember like applying for like Disney had castings and I was like going there on my mom's computer and put my email in and be like, maybe I'm going to be on the show. Never happened. But it's crazy that that's like how it happens and it can be like just as like simple as that. But then I went through a whole audition process after that. I did Skype calls and video calls and phone calls and whatever. And then I made it to the live audition, which was in LA. Oh my God.

And at the time you were living in New Jersey? So we came out here and there was 21 of us and then they cut it down to 11 and then they're like, okay, like, we'll let you know. So we left. That was in August of 2018, I think. 2019, I don't really remember. Wait, you just made me realize like how old I am.

Wow, because you were... 11. Oh my goodness. Okay, wait, no. No. I was 17. It's almost a really long time ago. So we're like six years apart. It doesn't feel like it. No. But anyways, continue. Yeah, so that was in August. And then time just kind of passed. And I was like, oh, I don't know. I don't really think I got it. It's been a really long time. And then I was...

at a dance convention taking class and I had randomly gotten a bloody nose during class and I was sitting out to the side. So I was just scrolling on my phone and I see this Instagram post and it's

like Abby Lee Miller like posted like the following kids report to Pittsburgh and it's just like this video and my name pops up and I like start screaming and crying. And you're like no way. And I'm like that's literally how I found out I booked it was from an Instagram post. Wait that's like so cool actually. That's kind of insane. Did your mom had gotten an email or anything? No nobody knew. Nobody knew. And how many people out of the

final 11 of you were the final finals i think it was seven or maybe eight of us i mean some people came in like in the middle of the season then some people left but i think it was like mainly there were seven of us that is so cool so then how did it work from there did you go scream and cry to your mom and say oh my god mom like we have to move yeah literally celebrated that night and then yeah they finally like emailed us and called us and they're like yeah you have like two weeks

And you're like, holy crap. Crazy. So packed up everything, moved to Pittsburgh for... Did just you and your mom go or did your whole family go? No, just my mom and I went. And because my mom still had the dance studio at the time. Oh, yeah. And so my dad kind of was like running it. He's like, how did I get into this? He's like, how did I end up here? Like, this is not what I signed up for. I'll take it. But... Yeah. But he definitely came and visited us like all the time. And I feel like that was probably such a cool experience for you and your mom to be able to do together. Like something that you'll never...

You know, such a time. Yeah. And I mean, we've always been so close because I'm an only child. So like we were very, very, very close. Yeah. And I think that that definitely like brought us even closer together. So I don't know that I've never, I never watched Dance Moms in full. Like I was somebody who would be like an episode watcher. So I never really fully kept up with it. But how it worked was basically...

You go and you're in her dance company and you compete with her for like a season and they film the whole thing? Well, pretty much. So the original seasons, the girls that were on it were actually her students. Okay. So they actually went to her studio. So it was very different for them than it was for the girls on my season or even people that came later on to the show. But yeah, basically you would learn a new dance every week and you would go and compete it and then –

yeah they would just like film it and a lot of the competition world is very intense so it makes for great tv no definitely i mean i did also cheerleading so oh so you know i think that dance is 10 times more intense than cheerleading really because i think cheerleading is worse well then again i never made it to the points where i was on like level five where i was on like a top gun all like i was not doing competing at worlds and just so if you guys don't know anything about the

That's the top notch. That's where it's... It's intense. Yeah. And everybody's so competitive. And there's like so... It would make for great TV. And I think they did a show about it for a while. Or they did like a documentary about one studio. And it was crazy. I remember watching that. It was a few years ago now. But where was I going with that? Yeah. So I know how intense it can be. And I feel like my little cousin dances. And I just...

I know it gets crazy in there. It gets crazy. But yeah, so they were her students. And then we, all of us in my season came from different places, like different states and whatever. So we all like didn't really know each other until we got there, which also was like kind of strange because it's like, oh, we like have never really met, but we're going to argue. Like, I guess I'm like, and we have to like, we have to like fight. Like, I'm like, this is like strange. So interesting. And it's not like you've had that, like you don't even know how to dance together at that point. Cause I feel like it takes a connection to be able to,

actually dance with somebody in a, and make it look like a group. Yeah, it is hard. And I think we got better as like the season went on, but that was something that I think we all struggled with was to make it cause we're all great individual dancers, but it's like dancing together and like in sync is really hard. So that was like, it's hard no matter how connected you are or how good you are. And especially when you're so young, like that's just tough. Yeah. It was definitely a shock, but it definitely changed the way I like am.

am I think as a person but also as a dancer too like I learned so much from it and now I can like pick up choreography so fast and it really is like it's a helpful tool now to have like in this whole world so it was like a very

crazy introduction to this whole world. But I think it set me up to like know what the whole entertainment industry is like. Oh, definitely. So I was going to ask and I'll ask this question first and then the one I was just about to ask. But how long do you film for? Like how long was the filming process? Yeah, so we filmed for six months or maybe a little bit more than six months. I think we filmed like 16 or 17 episodes. But it was like

It was like a week at a time. Wow. So we actually started filming on Wednesdays, not on Mondays. So it seems like you have like a week to learn, which is crazy to begin with, but it's actually like way less. It's like two days. Holy cow. Yeah. We had like school on Mondays and then...

school on Tuesdays and like interviews like you know how like yes yes so like you do like the interviews from the week before on Tuesday oh my gosh and Wednesday's pyramid which takes up literally the whole day it is four hours long you're lying the five minute episode little segment on the episode is four hours long why I have no like how how how I dreaded it every week not only because it's like you're getting ranked basically which is terrifying yeah and I mean Abby's

abby like she's scary love her but she's so scary especially in that show with such young people like when you're that young regardless of you have an awareness or not like that's scary and intimidating and she is scary and like i didn't really know her know her like again i was also just getting to know her and you were like also a fangirl a little bit i'm literally standing here and getting like ranked by abby abby lee miller i'm like this is

like it's so scary like what is going on in my life like I don't know if I'm supposed to be so happy right now because my dreams are coming true but also if I'm like she's screaming at me she's screaming at me she's screaming at me you know yeah I think that that also balanced it out like I feel like I maybe would have been a little bit more like oh that was such a crazy like

insane experience. I was like, it was just so cool that I was there that I think I appreciated the whole thing. Definitely. So, yeah, but it was crazy. Anyways, so yeah, four hour long pyramid on Wednesday. We like kind of learned a dance and then Thursday we basically learned the whole thing. Is it all day? Yeah, well...

I don't know about the older seasons, but for us, it was from like 8 or 7 a.m. to like 3 or however long because like we were kids. We were only allowed to work. That's true. There's like eight hours. There's like a time limit or something. Yeah, but also Abby didn't fully own the studio or there was like some weird thing at the time because, you know, she had her whole thing. Because I feel like for season 8, that's a long time. Like I remember watching it when I think like

Who was on it when I would watch? Like when Maddie was on there and Mackenzie was tiny, tiny. She was a baby. Like I watched it when she was so little. And I think that's probably the season that I watched the most of. Like, I don't even remember now. I haven't seen an episode in so long, but I just remember sitting there glued to the TV. Like, and I would be like, damn, she said that? She did that? Like what?

is going on yeah crazy crazy but that's what I watched too I mean I like watched them growing up and like they were my idols yeah so it was really cool so cool so then my follow-up question to that was like what do you think your biggest takeaway was from it like I'm sure you have so many amazing experiences from it but also like doing that at such a young age probably gives you like some weird traumas and like just like things that you've had to work through so like overall what are the good things you'd say you took away from it and the things that you're like

Honestly, I didn't need to go through that when I was that young. Yeah. I mean, it was definitely like I was like jumping in the deep end, like literally just like fully going into this. But I think that I learned a lot. I learned to like not let other people's opinions of me affect me. I mean, it did take me a while to get to that. It still affects me sometimes, but I think I've gotten a lot better. Just like, you know, it is a

filming that was like a place that you're always kind of being judged in a way. Oh, definitely. I mean, even beyond the fact that you're on a screen that so many people are watching because that's kind of easy to tune out sometimes, especially when you're young. I doubt you were sitting there scrolling and reading like people's, people weren't making TikToks about you like they do now with like all these other shows. Now it's crazy.

scary out there now for sure but like you you had the judgment of like the other girls the parents i mean abby the competitions like there's so many factors yeah it was that was hard but i think that i learned to not let their opinions affect me or like at least try not to

um but definitely there was the good outweighed the bad but there was some like really awful moments I mean I had this whole thing about like body image was like a big thing for me on the show like I went through I feel like dance in general there's there's a lot of that yeah it's very I mean dance I love dance but it can be very toxic in that way and a lot of dancers grow up to have body dysmorphia and body image issues which like I've struggled with but like that

filming that definitely brought that out more and like it was brought up and like it was a whole thing and it was like it was very hard so I think that that kind of affected me I feel like I saw when I was doing my like

earlier, there was a clip that was on when I just like searched your account and your name. And it was like your mom being such a badass and standing up for you. I was like, I was sitting there watching and I was like, I can't wait to bring this up later. It's just so cool. Like that's so special that your mom, it's hard to go up against her. And especially about a topic like that then. Now, I feel like we talk a lot more about body image and how important it is to love yourself at every stage and recognize that everybody is different and everybody is beautiful. But then

It was like not really talked about. People still let it happen. People were like, oh, you need to look like this and you can't look like that. And you have to do that if you want to do that. And it's so sad. But I'm glad now that, I mean, people still do it. Of course, people are still going to do it. But-

it was really cool to see your mom stand up for you like that and just like for everyone like that and on TV too I was like I know I was like thank god I mean in the moment you were probably like please stop talking don't exactly I was like sobbing mainly because I was like please stop like I don't want to have to go home but looking back at it I'm like

I'm so grateful that I had a mom who, like, stood up for me. And she just was such a role model for people watching, too. And I can only imagine how it felt in that moment because I know what it feels like when my mom tries to, like, would defend me when I was younger. I'd be like, Mom, please, don't say anything to my coach. Don't. Especially when there's so much at stake. Like, you're, you know, your position on the show, whatever it is, or just your image with...

Abby or whatever. But for everybody to watch that was probably so cool. Yeah. And then the fact that the TikTok that I had saw was like so viral and everybody in the comments was like, this is so amazing. And like, it's always beautiful to see that. But yeah.

That was definitely a hard thing. And it did resurface. And I was so nervous. I was like, oh, my God, of course, like, this is what's going to come back. But everybody was so nice. And it's just, like, it's been great. So that was probably the hardest thing was just having to deal with that and, like, also, like, have that be, like, a thing on, like, national television. Because, you know, it's something that, like...

It's already personal enough. And I'm like, you have to air it out to everyone. And I'm like, that is something that I was very insecure about for a really long time. And I was just like, why did you have to bring it up? And what they showed on the show was not even half of what actually happened. It was so much worse. It was actually so much worse. They kind of made it look like

My mom just got mad at her for correcting me, but I was like, no, she was going at it. No, I believe it. Just like, bad. Just knowing what they did show on the show, I can't imagine what they didn't show on the show. Yeah. You know? It was like, what was it? Was Dance Moms on TLC? No, Lifetime. Lifetime. Okay, there was one show on TLC that I used to watch, Toddlers and Tiaras. And I was like- Which was crazy. I mean, I only watched a few episodes, and I was so much younger when I did, but I'm like-

This is what's happening for these kids. Like there's, there's just no way. And I could only assume how much was going on even more behind the scenes, but yeah, it's, it's crazy, but Hey, we all live and we learn and we, we grow and it's, it's cool now because I feel like now, since you went through that,

it's probably so much easier for you to be open about those conversations. And since you have such a following, and I think we have like a similar demographic, like for the girlies, the young girls, like, yeah, it's cool to be able to talk about it. And like, you know, say that it's like, everybody is like beautiful in their own way. And I think that's something that's like, I definitely express a lot because I still get comments about like, people are like, she looks so different. Like literally the other day I got a comment. She looks so different. Like she definitely gained weight. Oh my gosh. People,

I was 11 years old. Like, yeah, I kind of hope I did. Yeah. No, people in the comments will go absolutely crazy. I had one like not too long ago that was like, oh my God, you haven't been on my for you page since 2020. What happened? Like, why do you look so different? Like, why do you look like that? And I'm like, what? Maybe keep something to yourself. Yeah. And also we're going to change. Like maybe we're supposed to. We're becoming women. We're changing like

I'm going through my second puberty and when you go from 11 to 16, that's prime time. - It's a big jump and it's hard that you have to continuously show yourself on social media and there's no hiding it. - No, definitely not. - So I'm like, yeah, I know that I have changed and I've looked different and yeah, I gained weight from when I was 11 years old, but I'm like, you don't have to bring it up 'cause especially

that being like public knowledge that I've gone through stuff like that and I'm like it's just like it's crazy how inconsiderate people can be online people don't think it's like they watch people on a screen or anywhere I think we've gotten to a point where it's even beyond the screen like in just real life people have no awareness no awareness that they're saying something to another human being with feelings and I'm like sometimes

Maybe let's think about how that comment would make us feel before we say things. And it's so silly that people just don't have it. And it almost seems like it's getting worse. But I agree. It is what it is. It's one of those things where, yeah, we're changing. Of course, we're changing. We're supposed to change. But so cool. So cool.

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Speaking of social media, now that we're on this topic, where did your humongous following come from? Was it Dance Moms? No. I mean, yes, because that's how people kind of got to know me. They're like, oh, she was just on the show, whatever. But after the show aired, I started when Dance Moms first aired, I think I had 1,200 followers. Okay, on Instagram. Which, comparing to what I have now, is like,

It's wild. And I actually had the least amount of followers than anybody that was on the show. Really? Yeah, which is also wild. That's so funny. And so I just like after the show like aired, I kind of was like gaining. I think maybe I had like 25,000 or whatever. And then I was like –

I kind of want to start a YouTube channel because I literally would make like fake YouTube videos when I was younger. That's so fun, especially being so young too. It probably, it's like a little girl's dream because like, I mean, even if you never watched YouTube or whatever it was, you're like, this is so cool. Like people want to watch what I'm up to. No way. Crazy. So I started that and then I was obviously posting on Instagram and TikTok was kind of just like starting to like

Yeah. Like, it's popularity. Because this was what? Probably 2019? Yeah, yeah, yeah. End of 2019. Oh, yeah. This is exactly when I remember. Like, I first downloaded TikTok. Yeah. So, like, watching stuff. Yeah. And then, so I was posting on there. But, like, I wasn't really taking it seriously. Yeah. It was kind of just for fun. And then I remember it was, I think it was February of 2020. Yeah.

and I, like, posted me doing, like, a TikTok dance on TikTok, and I got on a plane to go home to New Jersey because I was in L.A., and we were like, yeah, we're going to go home for two weeks because it's a two-week quarantine, whatever. Yeah.

And then so we landed and my video had like 500,000 views. And I was like, oh my God. I was like, I'm TikTok famous. It's here. Especially then. I feel like that was, that was this shit. Like if you got, you blew up on TikTok, it was, it was wild. Crazy. But I was like, okay, I'm going to post again. Cause I was like, maybe I'll get more views. And then I like, I think I duetted Charli D'Amelio or something. And I got like a million views. I wonder if I've seen, I probably did see these OG videos. I just don't like connect the dots now, but I'm sure I did. And then I was just like,

continued posting every day and I was like gaining like more and more views and more and more of a following and I was like this is kind of crazy I was like I thought I was just like a fluke and I just got like a viral video and then yeah I was like I went from posting like maybe every other day to every day to then three times a day yeah and then because that's all we had to do so it was like in the heat of quarantine so I was like what else am I gonna do so I mean it was fun it was so fun and it was like literally all I did was make

silly dance videos in my living room for so you were what 13 at this point um yeah I must have been wow 13 I think that's so awesome yeah it was crazy and then I just continued posting and I gained a following on TikTok and it also crossed over to Instagram and YouTube which I feel like is very rare yeah especially now it's really hard to cross promote I feel like then

it did transfer a little bit easier because I remember when I first started posting on TikTok all of a sudden my Instagram was growing and I was like what no way I thought I was just getting followers on TikTok and I'm like now I have Instagram followers and at the time it was like oh my gosh yeah it's it was definitely like insane I don't think it ever really clicked or like it still it still doesn't most days it still doesn't for me like I'll be like what yeah no and I'm like I talked to my parents about it my dad's like do you realize how many people seven million is and I was like

I was like, I was like, no, his favorite thing to do is like, when I like have those moments, I'm like, it's not even, I'm like, it's like, it doesn't like click for me. Well, especially because you've probably, now you look at it as like a community, you know, like these are, and this is how I look at my platform too. And like, these are my friends. Like, I'm like, it's not, and I don't see numbers in my brain. So like, I don't know. I just, I don't comprehend. No, it just, it does. It doesn't make sense. But yeah. So that's just kind of, it honestly was like,

on accident in a way. I mean, it was not like... Wait, what'd you say your dad's favorite thing is to do? Oh, his favorite thing to do was like, he'll search up like on Safari, he's like photo of 7 million people and he'll show it to me and I'm like... And you're like, wait, don't tell me that. That actually makes me not want to post anything. I'm like, that's scary. That's scary. But I'm like, I just don't think of it that way at all. I don't look at the numbers and like, it's just a community of people. That's really what it is. So yeah, it basically happened on accident and then I was like...

I might as well start posting more lifestyle stuff on TikTok and whatever. And then, I don't know. I ended up here. Yeah. So I was about to say, now you've been doing this for so long. And I'm like, wait. I started making videos during TikTok. Or not TikTok. During COVID, too. Can you believe it's been like four? It's been like five years. Yeah. I think it's around five years. I'm like, that does not make sense. It feels like literally yesterday that I started doing this. But also, I'm like, I feel like I've been doing this my whole life. Yeah. And I feel like you...

Being so young when you got into all this and being, of course, you're still so young now, but like 13 to 16 is such an impressionable time in your life. So my question is when this was all happening, what happened with school? Were you doing – because you did – Online school. Online school? Yeah. I was homeschooled starting in sixth grade. I actually –

started right before I even knew that I booked dance moms my mom was like I think it's time to switch to homeschool I always wanted to do that because I kind of had a hard time in school with like you know my friends and I went through a really hard time with like people being not nice and yeah like very much like I was kind of the one that was always left out and I was never really I was like I was like I don't want to do this anymore I like my dance friends a lot better where it's brought you you know it's

It's crazy. But yeah, so I started that in sixth grade because I was also kind of, you know, I was on auditions a lot for dance and I was like, we're traveling. We're going to L.A. like every so often. And so it was hard. So we started homeschool in sixth grade. Perfect timing. Ended up booking the show. So I would have had to do it anyways. And then I continued doing that and I did online school. I graduated last May, I think. Oh, that's awesome. Yeah, I graduated early and I was like, I'm done. I'm done. I'm out of here. No, I love it. As soon as I can get over with.

It's perfect. Yeah, no, and that's cool. One thing that's cool about online school, too, is you kind of do it at your own pace. So, like, if you want it done, you get it done, you know? But it's also really easy to fall behind. Oh, I bet. It was definitely a big adjustment and, like, having to, like, be motivated to do it yourself. But once I got to the point where I was like, I can finish in a year, perfect. Like, I'll just, like, get it done. That's awesome. And then do you feel like, I guess, like, since you started homeschool in sixth grade, there's probably not parts of you that are like,

I wish I went to high school because you also it's not like you did homeschool and you were all alone like you were building those same relationships that people make in like middle school and high school but all around like doing all these different things so how do you feel about it do you ever think about it yeah sometimes I do I'm like I wonder what high school would have been like and like kind of like I do get sad that I missed out on like that experience and I'm like oh I wish I could have had like a real graduation and I wish I could have gone to prom and then but I'm

But I'm like, I also wouldn't really trade what I'm doing for that. And I, like you said, like, I did have a community. So it wasn't like I was alone. Because once I moved out here and I was doing dance, pretty much out here, most dancers are homeschooled as well. I feel like there's a lot of people in general more homeschooled here. I just hit the mic. You're good. Like, yeah, most people here, not most, but, like, a lot of people here are homeschooled. So it was kind of like everybody...

had like the same thing where like that was their main like community. It's so interesting how that works. Like there's other towns like in the middle of the U.S. and they're like

nobody even knows what homeschool is. That was like New Jersey. I mean, my mom like went to talk to the principal of my middle school and she was like, so do you guys have like a, you could do like a hybrid kind of where you can like go on the days that you're here and then like do online the rest. And they're like, no online. Like, what does that mean? And then literally everybody ended up doing homeschool. That's so interesting. Yeah. But it is, it is very weird, but yeah, most people here are homeschooled. So I got to make like

really great friends. And I feel like, especially in dance, I mean, same way when, when the cheerleaders that I cheered with that made it to like the, the higher up levels, like it wasn't practice at night. It was practice all day long school at night. Like that was the priority. And I think it's so cool. It's just so interesting how many different lives we've all lived like that we do. Cause I'm like, I can't imagine homeschool. I wonder what it would be like, because I probably would have loved it. I'm such a homebody, but

I don't know. So cool. Yeah, it's crazy. But it was definitely nice to have, like, that dance circle. I mean, my closest, like, and best friends are all from dance. And it's just, like, nice to, like, have that community. Do you keep in touch with a lot of the girls from Dance Moms or not so much? I mean, most of them. I have, like, Hannah and Brady are, like, two of my closest friends. So fun. Probably be, like, my best friends forever. Like, I love them so much. So, yeah, I definitely try and keep in contact with most of them. Yeah, I feel like even the ones you don't, you kind of...

you watch each other on the, that's one thing that's so cool about social media. Like even the people we knew from when we were younger or like for me, when I went to high school with, I'm like, Oh, I know what you're up to. Like I'll know when you get engaged on all the big moments and that's so cool. Yeah. So cool. Um, okay. What else? Social media dance. I want to know acting. So is that what, what shifted you from just dance, just dance. I love that game to like, yeah,

To acting and singing. Well, so when I was younger, I mean, I would go on...

auditions in New York all the time and you would like have to sing because most of it was like Broadway or like that type of thing. Did you ever do anything Broadway? No, I didn't. I mean, Broadway is so cool. I love it. I love watching it, but I don't know if I would ever want to. I mean, maybe down the line, but that was never really what I kind of wanted for myself when I was younger. But yeah, so I would kind of like dabble in singing, but I never really took it too seriously. Same thing with acting because I also like didn't really think I had the opportunity to do it professionally. I never really thought like

That's where I would end up. I always wanted to, but I just never really... I don't know. I didn't really know how to. So...

Once I kind of like was gaining a following on social media and I got like a manager or whatever and I was telling them, I was like, I would love to act and I would love to sing. And they're like, okay, like definitely something that we can like work towards. So I did like a couple small acting jobs like fresh out of – actually, I think I did one maybe before quarantine. I don't remember. But I did a few small things and then I did a lot of hosting too and I worked a lot with Nickelodeon and I kind of like built a relationship with them.

And I just – I guess it was over a year now, which is crazy. I did my first, like, real scripted, like, guest role with them, which was so cool. That is so sick. But, yeah, I've been training in, like, in acting classes for a couple years now just because it is, like, something that's so new. And I don't really want to, like, jump into something, like, not being, like, fully – Dude, acting is hard. Yeah. I mean, I can't imagine. I can't even –

Like if I have to have a serious conversation with somebody and I'm not in a serious headspace, like I can't even hold it together then. Like I genuinely have such an appreciation and like an envy for people who can act or cry on the spot or like whatever it is. And I think it's so cool. So are acting classes like fun? Like do you enjoy them? Yeah, I enjoy them. I mean, I did them online for a really long time, which was like fine. But it was like once I got into in-person classes, I was like, oh my God, this is amazing.

that I wanted. But I do really see a difference with taking classes. And I mean, I think it's definitely something that you have to like work towards. And at first I was the person that I could not keep it, like keep it together. I would be like doing scenes and like laughing at myself because like literally what am I doing? I'm like rewatching

It's crazy. No, the second I get in my – even when I'm, like, recording a podcast like this, if I let that little voice in my head that's like, girl, what are you doing right now? Like, why do you sound like that? Then you just drive yourself crazy and you can't do it. You can't – you lose the moment. Yeah, but it's definitely something that you, like, have to, like, train for. So I'm glad that I've been doing that, like, the past couple years. So now, like, when I audition and stuff, I can really feel confident in that. So it's definitely something that I want to do more of in the future. I mean, I've been focusing a lot on my music now.

But it is like a goal that I have of mine is to get more into the acting space. I love that. Like I could totally see it. Like I could see you in like a little movie. I would love to. Or like a show. But I'd really see you in a movie. I don't know why. I want to be in a movie so bad. Oh my gosh. Movies are so amazing. That's so cool. I have a friend when I lived in Hawaii. He is getting into acting and he would like tell me about his acting classes. And I just think it's. It's.

It's also great exposure therapy. You really have to get out of your comfort zone regardless of if you're comfortable acting or whatever it is or if you're comfortable being in front of a camera or comfortable having conversations. When it comes to acting...

you're you're vulnerable and you're out of your bubble for sure it's crazy because it's not like somebody can say oh just be yourself like you're doing anything but basically being yourself it's it's definitely something to get used to especially when i went in person having to do it in front of a bunch of people and then like also the class that i'm in now it like you put yourself on tape because it's like a self-tape and then you watch it back in front of the whole class i know i

When I went for the first time, I was like, I don't think I can do this. No, I would have walked right out the door. I was like, it is, it's so scary. Oh. But yeah, it definitely. My thing, even with this podcast, I don't listen to it back. I never watch myself back. Can't even rewatch my TikToks? No. Like, mm-hmm. Me neither. I'm like, I don't want to watch myself back. But that's also something that I've had to get used to with singing. Oh, definitely. Yeah. Listening to yourself back. And also, like, when you record, you can hear yourself in the headphones. I'm like, this is the weirdest thing. Like, I don't, I never even like to listen to myself talk. Yeah.

But I'm like, now it's become everything that I'm doing. And it's really cool. Like, it's really, it's inspiring for me to see that because it just goes to show that even the things that scare you, you can do them. I mean, you're only 17 and you have one single out, right? Yes. Which is cool. Yes. And then that's part of an EP that's coming out eventually? Eventually. Hopefully, like, beginning of next year is what we're looking at. That's so cool. So how, when it comes to your single, when did you...

So you're doing the acting classes. When did you realize like you wanted to do the music and how did it even become part of the picture that you were going to have a single or an album or eventually tour, whatever it may be? I mean, around the same time that I started taking acting classes, I started taking vocal lessons. And again, I was like training in it before I really did anything. So I was

at least like once a week maybe twice um in lessons and then I just like my manager really helped with a lot of it and that's the thing like when you're in this industry like having like the great team is like make or break but yeah I then like just started meeting with a lot of writers and different producers and just wrote a bunch of stuff recorded a bunch of that is so cool so do you play a big role in the songwriting in the production yeah and a lot of it I like to be a part of all of

Yeah, no, I feel like it's so cool. Because then you really, I feel like there, I'm sure there's so many musicians who we don't even know it, but they really have no part in making the music. They just, whatever it is. So I think it's so cool. And you get to put your own little twist on it and your own heart into it. And I think it shows through in your music like anything does. Like the more you, you make it, the more. The more you'll connect to it, then the better you'll perform. Yeah. It'll just be better. So yeah, I definitely like to be a part of it. And even if it's stuff that I didn't fully write myself, I like to like,

You know, if something doesn't feel right when I'm singing, I'm like, ah, I feel like I should change this. So, I mean, yeah. So it definitely, it was like a whole process. I mean, I... When did you first, like, when did this conversation first get on the table compared to, like, when the single came out? So I recorded, I wrote and recorded my first song, I think when I was...

Oh my goodness. I think... I know it was in October because I remember I went straight from recording to like a Halloween party. So that's like the only way that I remember. So that was probably what? 2021? It must have been 2021. Okay, cool. So yeah, I guess...

Three years now, which is insane. That is so wild. I didn't realize how long, like, everything really takes. But it was also, I was writing and recording and making a bunch of different demos. And then I got signed to the Nickelodeon Music label. Which is so awesome. When did you get signed with them? I think in May of last year. Okay. So it's kind of fresh. Yeah, it's kind of fresh. Not, like, super fresh, but fresh. Yeah. Wow. So that was super cool. But when I signed with them, we didn't, like, start from scratch. But I recorded a lot of new songs and new music and stuff.

It was very different working with, like, a whole team of people rather than, like, you know, doing it just, like, on your own. So, yeah. I mean, it really goes to show how much the people around you and, like, how much your team, even outside of this industry, like, just your support system makes a big difference in, like, all the things you can do in your future and, like, now. And it's just – it's so cool to think about because –

We can't do anything solo. Yeah, we can. I'm sure we can all take over the world. But it's like, I don't know. It's way easier to do it when you have a great group of people supporting you. So it definitely made like having this like very new experience. It made it a lot easier. Because then you're also working with people that already know what they're doing. Exactly. I was like, I could be like handheld through it. So it was. That's so awesome. That's how I felt walking into this professional studio. He's like, just press this button and then these will record. I'm like, oh. Oh.

Like, it's so awesome. Yeah. So, Cool is out now. Yes. And what's next? I have my next single dropping August 9th. Oh, my gosh. Which is very exciting. That's, like, literally right around the corner. Yeah, it's very, very crazy. When did Cool drop? Maybe...

it'll be four weeks on Friday so a month ago oh my gosh that's so weird that time goes by way too fast way too fast because I'm like oh like a week ago no no and the older you get I feel like such a grandmother saying this it's going faster because like old people I love old people the elderly people tell me that time just goes faster and faster and it's true it's so true because in my head I stopped at like your

your age like I stopped aging when I was 18 and I'm never I don't want to be older no I'm not I'm not 23 there's no way no no way and I'm literally gonna be 18 in a couple months I'm like I just don't claim it I just don't and you don't have to I'm like it's all mindset it really is I'm like when did we decide that like a calendar is gonna like tell me how old I am I'm like it's not no from now until maybe when I'm 30 I'll like be 30 because that's all fun and cool but I'm just 20 something yeah

20 something i don't want to be 27 that sounds like a really scary number to be i thankfully i got time but it's scary time flies so a month ago cool now what's this next one called can you can you say i mean yeah because it'll be out actually i think oh yes i think it will by the time this airs yeah go listen go listen it's called take it back oh my gosh it's very exciting i'm really excited this is one of my favorites that i have fully done right now so i'm really excited that is so cool so um

What's your main goal of your genre? It's pop, right? Okay, I love pop. I want pop to be... I'm such a pop. Oh my gosh. I'm Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor. I don't even know if we could call Swift...

She's everything. She's all over the map. She's everything. So pop's always been your go-to. The thing is, I love country music. I'm such a country music girl. Oh my gosh, I could totally see you with some cowboy boots singing a country song. When I first started writing, I was like, I want to be a country music singer. And I did kind of, I wrote a lot of country songs. I listen back to them. It's so cute because I'm literally 13 or 14 in my little voice. Oh.

Singing country is so cute. But, and then I was like, no, like I kind of want to do pop country. So then we changed it. We were like writing pop country. And then I was like, no, I want to be pop. Cause I was like, I want to be able to dance. Yeah. Cause like that's been such a big part of my life. No, I loved watching one of the TikToks you posted where it was like, you, um, like

like recording in choreography or something. Oh, yeah. Like how the video actually turned out. That's just like so fun. Yeah. And I was like, I don't know how I could not incorporate that. Yeah. And I feel like it's it's so much more you to be able to incorporate that. And also the world really is your oyster. Like right now, like you maybe you have to stick to pop, whatever it is. But eventually down the line, you can do it all. Like we said, look at Taylor Swift. She does everything. Everything. So and pop is fun.

And I feel like pop is really this. I feel this sounds so stupid, but like it's in its moment right now. It's having its moment for sure. And it hasn't in a while. No. And I feel like just like in general, there's been so much great music recently. It's such a great time for new music. I agree. Like pop.

every genre is great. I mean, country's having its whole moment too. Um, but yeah, I definitely think pop is like, uh, I'm like, I'm really glad that I, I'm doing this. And I feel like for now, while you're young to like get up and dance and have a good time and just get funky. And I feel like you have so much freedom to do that with pop country. You are, and you're never put in a box, but it's a lot more, there's more things that people follow more often with country. This episode of the moments podcast is sponsored by better help. Quick

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So what would your dream be with music? Like, would you see yourself going on like a worldwide tour? For sure. I mean, that's like the goal. I mean, I, over anything, I'm a performer. Like, that's what I've been my whole life. Like, growing up, my favorite thing to do was go to dance competition and get on stage and dance and perform. Do you get nervous?

yes i do i literally was at this like conference with a bunch of students um in florida randomly like a couple weeks ago and i was going on just to like speak and it was like 2 000 people so that's like not a few people that's a lot yeah it was a lot of people so i was freaking out and i was backstage with a couple other students who were speaking and they're like you're nervous they're like you get nervous i was like yeah i'm nervous yeah i was like are you guys all nervous she's like

- No, no, no, I was like, oh, you're kidding. - Most people, they gotta be lying. - I'm like, you have to be lying. She's like, but I wouldn't think you'd be nervous after doing this for so long. I'm like, I still get scared for everything. - Oh my gosh, and I feel like it depends too. There's probably certain things that don't freak you out as much, but certain things that make you go insane. I feel like speaking in front of a crowd of people

And it's not like you're just performing and they like they know what they're there to see. Like, I feel like that's different. There's more of a comfort in it. You're like, oh, people are here to see this. But especially if you're speaking somewhere that people don't necessarily know who's coming on stage. Like there's just so much more judgment and it's intimidating. But so cool that you did it. Yeah. And I feel like we never really grow out of the nerves completely. But I remember doing cheer and I was the one who right before we would go on stage for our two and a half minute routine.

they would be in their team huddle, jumping in circles, eating candy, like right before they go on because they don't get nervous. Like none of my teammates, I remember being nearly as nervous as me. I would be by the freaking trash can in warmups about to puke before I went on stage. And I just, I still kind of get like that in a much less severe way, but like low key, no, I've never done anything that terrifies me as much as that. Yeah. But it's scary. I, I don't know. I, I was like that for dance competitions. I mean,

there was some where I was a little bit more okay but I would be backstage like praying and I was like just like get it over with get it over with but then right when you get on stage you're like oh this is what I want to be doing this is so much fun and it's so thrilling and we have to do the things that scare us like I feel like when you get to a point and I know you will where you're performing in front of whether it's a stadium or an arena whatever it may be you're gonna be shitting yourself I'm gonna be I was literally talking

about this with my mom and I was like the first time that I get on a stage and perform in this aspect of my life I was like I am going to be so nervous. Yeah so have you done that yet? Have you performed your single at all? Not yet. And I really really want to because it's going to be so exciting but I'm also like this is so scary.

Oh my gosh. It's one of those things where God's going to give you that when the time is right and it's going to like fall into place and you're going to be freaking out, but it's going to be so worth it. And then once you start doing it, I feel like there's going to be nothing going on in your mind except the fact that this is, this is what you've been waiting for. Like this is the moment you've been working so hard for. So that's awesome. I know. And then you start small and you just keep doing it. Exactly. I'm like, I don't need to start big. I could do it small and whatever. But I'm like, I know that once I do it the first time, I'm like,

Okay, so when are we doing it next? You're going to get such a high off of it, I bet. So would you want to start by doing, I don't know, where would you start? Like festivals and stuff? I don't know. I feel like festivals would be really cool. But I don't even know. Honestly, this is so new to me. I don't really know where you start. I mean, yeah, I guess your first single was a month ago. So that's really...

that's fresh that's fresh it's very very fresh and even though like i have been writing and recording whatever for a couple years now once it's released it's a whole new world oh i bet it's a whole new thing and i'm like i am just like kind of living in this stage i'm like i'm not really i would love to perform but i'm also like i don't really want to rush anything and like like you said like once the time is right like it'll be right and i'm like this whole my whole music journey whatever i'm like

I just keep telling myself it's like it's a marathon it's on a sprint you don't have to rush anything so I'm like kind of just like living in it right now because it is so important to enjoy every chapter and I I'm sure that probably since you've been doing such big things since you were younger your brain is probably on go mode all the time where like it's hard to let yourself live and enjoy and embrace each chapter and like that's something that I struggle with too and I don't know why it is I'm sure it's something that a lot of us do but

especially being on TV at 11, your brain gets rewired and you're like, oh no, like this didn't happen or this isn't happening. I'm not doing enough. And you probably just feel like,

But it's important. It's so important to remember to stay in the moment and enjoy each chapter and embrace it. And it's just so cool. It's definitely the most important thing and something I've had to learn. I've had to tell myself, you don't need to be focusing on what's next. Just embrace it right now. And when there are the times where I'm looking at the next thing, I'll look back on the stuff that I was looking over and I'm like, I really wish that I was more in the moment. So it's definitely something that I've been working on as I've gotten older.

And like getting older. Yeah. It's hard to do. It is. But we will do it eventually. And then I think my last thing I want to ask you about, and there's so many things. Well, at the end, I'll ask you if there's anything you specifically want to talk about. But you've been in this with your mom since you guys were like young. So she's been like your sidekick through all of it. So now does she have like a role in like helping you manage things like all the time? Literally, that's my mom. I don't know how I would do anything without my mom.

No, my mom keeps my head screwed on straight. Same. I don't know where anything is. I don't know what's going on. It's my mom. She literally, like, don't know where I would be without her. And, yeah, it's been day one.

Me and my mom do everything. I mean, my dad is also amazing. Love him so much. But, you know, he's also working full time. Also a dad. He's also a dad. Yeah. Like girls with a girl like my I remember growing up, my mom would take me to cheer practice, take me to cheer competitions, everything. My dad took my brothers to football practice, basketball practice, every single sport. Like and that's just how it worked. And like I would go to their games, me and my mom, and then they would come to my competitions. But like, yeah, that's just how it went. Like dads are just dads. But that's so cool. Do you feel like.

It works really well. Like, do you guys ever have like any tips or issues? Well, we have tips for sure. Especially like...

I think as I've gotten older, you know, when you're this age, you, I'm like, sometimes I am telling myself, I'm like, I need to like, I'm like, it's my mom's first time living too. Like I really need to just like, you know, we all have our moments. We have our moments. But yeah, I mean, it works really well. And I applaud you for at this age being at that stage too, where you can have that closeness, where you can work through like all of your arguments. Because I remember being in high school for me. And when I just recorded with my mom before this episode, we were just talking about like when you're in high school,

When I was in high school, I was so mad at my mom for not letting me do things or trying to protect me or trying to take care of me. And now I look back and I have nothing but gratitude for it because she knew what she was doing. Moms always know what they're doing. I don't know what it is, but they know everything. They just have a gift. Like they can see like when I have like a friend and my mom's like, ah.

I feel about her. And I'm like, no, like, she's so nice. Every time. And I'm like. Every time. She's like, I told you. I'm like. No, you didn't. I still don't learn. No. Even like when it comes to boys. She's like. Oh, I bet. She's like, you need to walk. I'm like, no, you're so nice. Yeah, I bet in this industry, the boy world is probably rough. Oh, my God. Like, I really can't imagine if it's bad not in this industry. It's this industry. So, but I mean.

- Ugh, I could go on and on and on. - And honestly, I feel like, so you are single right now, right? - Oh yeah. - Okay, I'm about to give a lecture on why it's so good to be single at this age, and then you're like, actually, I have a boyfriend. - No, no, no, I love it. I mean, I do, I just think that,

if it's the right person it won't take away from anything that you're doing and I'm like the thing is I think I've actually never had a boyfriend so it's like that's awesome perfect don't keep it that way I'm like I'm gonna keep it that way until there's somebody who's like worth like giving my time to which kind of sounds like mean but like in a way like

No, it's so it's I feel like that's such a good point. And I was I was like that, too, until I'm with my boyfriend now, who's like the love of my life. It's so sweet. I use it. Literally, you guys are goals. Perfect. But like like you just said, he did not take anything away from my life. Like.

Like, yes, of course, he takes more of my energy now and we spend more time like we spend so much time together. So there's certain aspects of my life that I don't pour as much into. But that's like like good things. He was never somebody who was like, I need you for this, this, this and this. And you can't do this, this, this and this and more anymore. Like it's so important to wait for somebody.

who wants to encourage you and see you win in all of your dreams and goals. And I feel like especially not even just at your age, like the range between your age and my age, like let's say 15 to 25. Yeah.

Guys just want to be the star of the show. And I feel like that's very common. And we've seen it happen so many different times. But if you're listening to this, just wait for somebody who's going to really value you and your time and your dreams and goals. Exactly. And somebody who's going to support them and not try and take away from it. And that's the thing. I'm so fine. I'm 100%. I'm whole in myself. So I don't need somebody...

that's just gonna like fill a piece of me that I'm missing like I don't need that like and I definitely don't need somebody who's gonna subtract from like my life so somebody that's gonna add value and support you and be there for you I'm like that's the only person that I will give my time to and that is so it's so cool especially to have that mindset at your age it's hard because the world I remember being in high school and I never had a boyfriend but in my head I was like oh my

oh my God, I need a boyfriend. Like everybody's starting to date people and kiss people. And I wanted that, but like, I'm, I'm glad God never gave me the opportunity to have it until he did, but it's so cool to actually be able to know yourself. I, it definitely took a minute. I mean, I've never really dated someone, but I've had no fair share of experiences and things that have like really put me through it. And I think it's like,

I don't know. I've learned a lot from like the experiences that I've had and it's made me realize I really can't give my time to somebody fully until they're going to make me a priority too. Yeah. So I'm like,

Girl, love that. You got wisdom. I don't know where that came from. I don't know where it came from. Sometimes I'll say something and I'm like. I was like, that's good. I was like, that's really good. Somebody write that down. Where did that even come from? No, but it's so true. And I think that's, it's so good. And especially with everything that you have going on, girl, just keep pouring into yourself. Yeah. And that's all, that's all we. Right person will come at the right time. Exactly. Exactly. I forget where I was going. Oh, okay. So we were talking about your mom. Yeah.

I feel like we topic jumped so much, but I love that. I love it. No, it's so cool that you guys can still have that relationship through all of this and just like have that teamwork. And I feel like I have the same with my mom. And me and my mom get into it sometimes because she wants the best for me. But sometimes I don't even want the best for myself. And I just want to sit back and...

chill or whatever it is or pour into different things or different parts of my life and she's like girl get it together yeah and then I think about it and I'm like I as much as it can drive me crazy in certain moments it's so beautiful that we get to have that and we get to go through that with our moms you know I know I'm like if I would want to go through it

all of this with anyone it would be my mom exactly I feel the same like sometimes I have my mom so I'm like oh my gosh I can't but then I'm like she's always right and she always knows what's best for me they know what's up she's never gonna do something that's not in my best interest or tell me to do something that's not in my best interest and she really just wants the best for me and that's it so I'm like

I don't know. I think that that's just like where my mind's always as I'm like, nobody's going to support me more and want better for me than her. Yeah. So it's like, no, that's like so cool. And especially if somebody were, were, were to fill that role that wasn't your mom. Like there's people out there with bad intentions who want like the wrong things for us. And it's just, it's, it's so cool. But I just wanted to touch on that. Cause I think it's really special. And like,

so such a beautiful part of who you are and like what you've built and i love it and i feel like we've been talking for so long so let me i'm gonna look through my little question thing here who would you want to be on a song with if you could choose um or like maybe like top three okay i'm like i have so many um harry styles because oh my favorite person ever like i love him like he's so awesome he's the best um tate i love tate she's also like she's my like she's like my

Like, she's like, I want to be like her. She started in the dance world. Now she's in music. I'm like, she's like my role model. And...

Probably Post Malone. Oh my gosh, I could see that. I would love that. Or Noah Khan. Okay. Oh, okay. Noah Khan's like kind of my new obsession. I have like a phase where I was really addicted. Now I haven't listened in a while. That's what I do with artists sometimes. I'll listen too much and then I take a break. Yeah. And then I'll pick someone new. Yeah. I can't just get myself to play a playlist. Like it doesn't work for me. I have my phases where I'm like all in. It's also the artist that's like on tour. Mm-hmm.

You know? Because when Taylor was on the tour, I was all listened to. My hours of listening to Taylor Swift on Spotify was... I don't even want to know. I was like, I can't actually... I can't look at this. But yeah, and then Harry Styles was on tour. And I still love them all, but I get what you mean. Yeah. No, I just recently started paying a little bit more attention to music in the sense of paying attention when people drop an album. I just used to...

listen to whatever got popular i don't know on the radio or however i just found it out about it but now if i have an artist that drops an album i'll listen to the whole album oh and like take it in but i never used to be like that and i think it's so cool you get to really know an artist when you listen to all their music yeah and i feel like sometimes artists best songs are like the ones that aren't even that popular the hidden the underground ones you know this is underground but it's true it's true because the ones that tend to get popular they're just the ones that are like the most catchy but sometimes you find the most

lyrical magic and like the most meaningful words in like the deeper less pop or less catchy songs in the album anyways Post Malone would be good sick also Gracie Abrams love her right now oh my gosh love I could go on and on like I just wanna I wanna do it all I wanna no I could see you doing something with like Sabrina Carpenter one day like that would be so cool I love

- I love her so much. - She's so cute. I'm just obsessed with her. She's having her moment. - She's literally like a Polly Pocket. She's so cute, I love her. - And she's so tiny. I've never seen her in person, obviously I wish I have, but I've heard she's tiny. - I think she is. She's so cool. - She's just so cute. She's so cute. Okay, what else do I have here?

I guess, where can we find new music? Where can we find you? Where... What do you want to tell the people? You can find me on any...

Any of the platforms. Platform where you listen to music, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Pandora, literally anything. So that's where you can find me for music and then literally on any social media platform. I'm kind of everywhere. I love it. That's so awesome. Okay. And then my last two little quick questions. They're like kind of intimidating because there's so many options, but also not. Like what's some of your favorite advice you've ever heard? Favorite advice I've ever heard. I mean, there's a lot, but something that really stuck with me is that like,

hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard so like this is something that like we have like these like very like we had like quote like posters up around my dance studio um and that was one that always stuck with me because I was born into dance and I will say I do think I had that like natural gift when I was younger not to like sound no no no whatever but I did have that for dance and I was like

So it stuck with me because I was like, I may have that natural gift and talent for dance, but if I don't work hard at it, it's like somebody else who may not will get it. Yeah, will work hard. So that's something that no matter how gifted you are and you think that you were...

Like, you have this, like, talent. Like, if you don't work hard at it, that's something that's just, like... I love that. That's, like, so... Somebody write that down. Yeah. Somebody write that down. It's definitely something that stuck with me, like, especially being a dancer. That's something that was, like, always there and just, like, always to, like, work hard. You're never really done. Like, you can never work hard enough and you... I mean, with anything, with singing, with...

acting with anything there's not like a finish line that you cross and you're like oh i did it i'm done like you have to work hard your whole life yeah and you and you do it with with love and with joy for what you do and that's important because i feel like if you love what you're doing it's always hard work but it feels less like work it's very it's a cliche saying but if you're doing something that you hate of course it's going to feel like horrible hard work so yeah yeah i think that that's something that stuck with me and also just like

This isn't even advice, but just be a good person. Oh, my gosh. Like, you're not going to get anything.

if you're not a good person. No, and unfortunately, like, you might, but don't. You don't want to go the direction. Don't be that person. Like, I just think that, like, being a good person above all, like, I don't care what you do or how popular you are. Like, being a good person above anything is just so important. And just treat people with kindness. Like, it's really simple. It's really simple to, like, live a life without judgment, to live a life where you support the people around you, to live a life where you

don't make yourself the star of the show in every room. Like, just be kind to people and support people. And it actually takes more energy to hate on something. So much more energy. And to be negative. So it's just, it's not even that hard. When I was younger, I thought it would be so cool to be, like, different. And I pretended to hate One Direction and Justin Bieber. And I had to, like...

people would ask me why i didn't like them and i would have to like really study and find reasons why i didn't like them because they were just likable yeah but i just want to it was that was probably my most pick me era i'm like no like i don't even think he's cute why are you guys saying baby baby baby and i'll be like in the bathroom in here playing and i'm like or when we'd be at cheer competitions everybody would be on the stage and they'd be doing the whole dance yeah and i'll just sit you're like that was so dramatic of me i'm so glad i've grown out of it but we

We all had our moments. We have to. It's the only way we live and learn. Seriously. But my next one, what's the worst advice you've ever heard? I don't know if there's like something like specific, but just like, I think that like competing with your friends is probably the worst thing that you can do. Oh my gosh. And like comparing yourself, especially to people that you're friends with. I think that everybody is on their own path. Everybody has their own journey, their own story. And like comparing yourself,

Comparison is like... It's the thief of joy. It can kill you. Comparison can kill you inside. And it's like you never want to do that. And I think that that's something that if anybody is ever like... Growing up in dance, it's very competitive. And to be competing against your friends, it's something that's very, very hard. And some teachers do encourage that, to have that competitiveness with your teammates online.

When that's just like not what it should be.

Or just in general, like what we look like or what we sound like or how we talk to people or how knowledgeable we are. And it's there's always going to be somebody better at you than what you do. Exactly. And you can either choose to look at that as something like, oh, I'll never be able to do that and like let it really bring you down or just be like, that's OK. Like, I don't need to. Exactly. I'll be good at something else or like I'll be good at something in the way that I'm meant to do it. Like you just said, we all have our own path and it's so much easier said than done. But just like.

recognizing that is so powerful. Yeah. I think just like, you know, being happy for people rather than like envying them and wishing that you had something else, I think is probably the worst thing that you can do. The sooner that you can,

I've heard this quote like a gazillion times and it's one of my favorites. Like if you can't clap for others, it'll never be your turn. And like the way I see it is like the second that you start being proud of people around you instead of envious, like you just said, like your life gets better because you have so much more appreciation and you just look at the world more positively. And it's easy to fall into that trap. Like I find myself if I'm scrolling for too long or I just get lost in the sauce of my own brain, like I'll start comparing myself to everyone and everything and everything that people do.

And I'll just drive myself insane. So why do that? And then I just switch it. There's no good from it. And I'm like, maybe instead of being mad at this person for being so absolutely beautiful, I could just be like, wow, she's so absolutely beautiful. You're so pretty. And it's simple. It really is. It doesn't have to take away from anything. It doesn't take away from your beauty, her beauty. We should all just be happy for each other. I agree.

Yeah, I love that. I feel like that's a great note to close on. Yes. Anyways, thank you guys for listening and thank you so much for coming on. Thanks for having me. This was so fun. It was fun. We should do this more. I know. I agree. I agree. No, me and her have just been sitting here in our little swirling chairs. We're like, we're both like. Wobbling around. No, but anyways, thank you guys so much for tuning in. If you want a part two, just let us know. Hit us up. We'll make it happen. Okay. Love you guys. Bye. Bye.