"Dance Moms" Stars Chloe, Kalani, and Kendall Give Us the Lowdown on Their Irreplaceables Tour

December 7, 2017

Our favorite drama-filled, dance reality show may have ended this past fall, but “Dance Moms” stars Chloe, Kalani, and Kendall aren’t about to let that end their dance careers. In fact, these dancing kweens are taking their moves to a city near you with their Irreplaceables Tour! The girls are going all out for the three-week dance production, which is taking them across the country. And these dazzling dancers aren’t just content with showing off their dance skillz—they want to pass along their tips and tricks in a dance workshop where they’ll lead fans in stretches and dance routines from the show.

Dance Spirit
caught up with Chloe, Kalani, and Kendall to find out what they love about tour life and where they see themselves five years from now.

How’s this tour different than the performances we’ve seen you do on “Dance Moms”?

Chloe
: The tour is all about our supporters. It’s not about winning a dance competition, or making our dance teacher proud. It’s about performing for our fans and making them proud. Us being angsty teens, we wanted to do contemporary numbers. But then we thought about how we wanted it to be fun and upbeat and strong so we decided to do a lot more jazz numbers than we’re used to.

Kalani
: This tour is different because we’re performing for the fans. We aren’t performing to win a trophy. We’re here to make the audience feel something and give them a show! Also our dances are very different from anything we’ve done on “Dance Moms.”

Kendall
: This tour is very different because we were allowed to pick our own music, style of dance and costume.

Chloe Lukasiak (courtesy Anne Watkins)

What’s your favorite part of tour life?

Chloe
: I’m very much looking forward to meeting our supporters! I love chatting with everyone, taking pictures, and getting to know the fans. I am also looking forward to traveling the country with two of my best friends. We always have a blast.

Kalani
: I love getting to spend so much time with the girls. We don’t live in the same states so being able to see them this much is super fun.

Kendall
: My favorite thing about tour life is performing on stage with my besties and having the crowd cheer and scream our names as we’re dancing. It really pumps us up.

As you guys are getting older you’re taking control of your dance careers. How does that feel?

Chloe
: We definitely got to take more control in this tour and it feels really nice to have an opinion in what we do.

Kalani
: It’s fun deciding what types of dances I want to perform because I know what styles I’m best at.

Kendall
: It feels good to have a say in the type of dance I do. I also like training at other studios and learning from dancers outside our circle.

What are some pre-performance rituals you guys do?

Chloe
: We always go over the numbers before the show, at least once.

Kalani
: We also have this hand shake we do every time before we go on stage.

Kendall
: It’s a silly chant, but it helps us keep calm.

Kalani Hilliker (courtesy Anne Watkins)

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a performance?

Chloe
: We’re always tired after a show so we either go to the hotel and hangout or watch a movie together.

Kalani
: We also like to grab a bite to eat and explore if we’re not too tired.

Kendall
: I like going out to eat without our moms, and discussing boys!

How do you calm your nerves before a performance?

Chloe
: I use this tip that Cheryl Burke taught me. I touch the walls or the floor and I find that helps calm me.

Kalani
: I always get nervous but our hand shake usually helps me keep calm!

Kendall
: It’s natural to be nervous before a performance. But I try to remember that no matter what happens on stage, my mom and my true fans will always support me.

You’re going to be teaching a workshop before each performance. How does it feel to be teaching? Would you ever consider teaching dance down the road?

Chloe
: I was asked to teach a dance class about a year ago and loved it. I’m so excited to be teaching during the tour, but I don’t know if I would consider it down the road. You never know, though.

Kalani
: I’ve been teaching dance workshops for a little bit and it’s always super fun because we get to be ourselves.

Kendall
: I’m not a teacher. I still have so much to learn myself, but I do love to teach the little kids who look up to me. It’s very rewarding.

Kendall Vertes (courtesy Anne Watkins)

What would you tell yourself if you could go back to your first episode of “Dance Moms”?

Chloe
: I would tell myself to believe in myself. I had a lot of trouble with confidence when I was younger. But I believe everything happens for a reason, so maybe I was supposed to struggle with confidence when I was little, so I could learn to conquer it when I was older.

Kalani
: I’d tell myself not be so nervous. I just needed to stay calm and do what I always do.

Kendall
: Oh my gosh, I was only 8 when I did my first “Dance Moms” number. I was so afraid to upset Abby. If I could do it all over I would tell myself to not be so scared of disappointing her.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Chloe
: Hopefully, graduated from college and figuring out what I want to do with my life. I’m hoping to either pursue acting and dance or writing. We’ll see where life takes me.

Kalani
: It’s hard to think about because it seems so far away, but hopefully I’ll still be dancing, acting, and working on my different clothing lines!

Kendall
: I’ll be 19-years-old in 5 years and I hope to be dancing, singing, and acting.

Who’s your dance idol?

Chloe
: Misty Copeland. I think she’s a beautiful dancer and I strive to be as graceful as she is.

Kalani
: My dance idol would have to be Julianne Hough.

Kendall
: I have lots of dance Idols, but my very first one was Travis Wall.

What’s your favorite song?

Chloe
: “You’ve Got the Love” by Florence and The Machine. They’re one of my favorite bands!

Kalani
: My fave song is “End Game” by Taylor Swift.

Kendall
: Right now I’m obsessed with Taylor Swift’s new album. “Reputation” is probably my favorite song right now.