Kendall Vertes Reflects on the Support from Dance Moms Castmates
Kendall Vertes has opened up about the invaluable support she received from her fellow cast members during her time on the hit Lifetime series, Dance Moms, which aired from 2012 to 2017. In a revealing interview with PEOPLE, published on April 10, 2025, she attributed her resilience in a high-pressure environment to the camaraderie she fostered with others on the show:
“Having such a good community of support while being in such a vicious environment is honestly what helped me get through that.”
The Importance of Cast Relationships
Specifically, Kendall highlighted her strong connections with fellow dancers like Chloe Lukasiak, JoJo Siwa, Brooke and Paige Hyland, Brynn Rumfallo, and Kalani Hilliker. She emphasized that these friendships were instrumental in navigating the challenges they faced during filming.
According to Vertes, the unique experiences shared on set brought the girls together, forming powerful bonds:
“We were literally best friends, and we ate together, slept together, breathed together and danced together. We did everything together.”
This close-knit relationship enabled the dancers to support one another amidst the demanding filming schedule, particularly during travel and competitions.
Memorable Experiences on the Road
“My favorite memories were just traveling with the girls every weekend to a new place, a new environment, a new destination, and just having each other.”
Vertes acknowledged that the combination of constant travel, competitive pressure, and the filming process created a unique atmosphere. Having friends who understood these circumstances provided her with much-needed stability during those formative years.
Impactful Performances: A Highlight from the Series
One particularly poignant moment for Vertes was a performance from Season 6, Episode 29, titled “Suicide Hotline.”This routine held significant emotional weight and resonated deeply with the cast:
“When we stepped out on that stage for the first time to do that dance, when we came off, all of us had tears in our eyes just because of how emotional and how important this topic was to us.”
Following the airing of this episode, the group was actively engaged in discussions surrounding mental health, with a representative from a California suicide prevention hotline reaching out to them:
“A week later, the person who came in to talk to us about their suicide hotline in California actually reached out to us. They said that once the episode aired, their phones were off the hook.”
This experience helped Kendall reflect on the profound role of dance in addressing larger societal issues beyond mere entertainment.
Current Relationships with Former Co-Stars
Although the cast members have since pursued individual paths, Vertes expressed her commitment to maintaining those friendships. She noted that she and JoJo Siwa are both set to participate in Kalani’s upcoming wedding, affirming:
“I love Kalani. She’s always been my best friend. We literally clicked the moment we met.”
Kendall also keeps in touch with Brooke and Paige, who still reside in Pittsburgh. They often arrange dinner outings when she visits home. Additionally, she has been working to reconnect with Chloe Lukasiak in New York and stays in regular communication with Brynn Rumfallo:
“When it works out, it works out, and we always try to meet up with each other.”
For those interested in reliving the journey of these remarkable dancers, Dance Moms is currently available for streaming on popular platforms such as Disney Plus, Peacock, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.