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