Chloe Center Stage

THREE YEARS AGO, CHLOE LUKASIAK DITCHED THE DRAMA—AND THE CAMERAS— AND DECIDED TO LIVE BY HER OWN RULES. NOW, THE DANCE MOMS STAR AND ACTRESS IS LEAPING BACK INTO THE SPOTLIGHT.

- Sydney Adamson

Fresh off of two months at home with her family in Pittsburgh, Chloe Lukasiak arrived at her Girls’ Life cover shoot with an attitude just as bright as the bubblegum pink set she’d spend the day dancing around in. She was real (read on). She was fun (and a legit DJ, tbh—her photo shoot playlist was on point). And she was fearless (even sky-high platforms couldn’t keep her from breaking out a gravity-defying backbend—see the impressive snap on GL’s Instagram).

After a roller coaster ride from child reality star to actress, author *and* clothing designer, Chloe has learned to expect the unexpected. After all, when the 16-year-old joined Abby Lee Dance Company at age 2, she couldn’t have known that dance would become her life. Or that she would snag more competition titles than she could count...or that she’d land a leading role on Lifetime’s Dance Moms.

“Starting the show, I thought it was going to be six weeks—and then it turned into four seasons,” Chloe admits. “I was so young and naïve, I figured I’d grow up and dance and that would be that.”

Turns out, younger Chloe was way, way off. Since the dancer and her mom, Christi, made a dramatic departure from the show three years ago, Chloe has taken several steps toward a new life: She started acting (she’s already knocked out two movies and is currently filming her third) and launched two booming YouTube channels. She’s currently working on her debut clothing collection, and early next year she’ll release her first book, Girl on Pointe: Chloe’s Guide to Taking on the World. Oh, and one more thing: She’s going back to where it all began with a return to Dance Moms this season.

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