CHEERS! with Avery Woods – Episode 47 Summary: Kalani Hilliker on Surviving Dance Moms

Release Date: October 7, 2024

In Episode 47 of CHEERS! with Avery Woods, host Avery Woods sits down with renowned dancer Kalani Hilliker to delve deep into Kalani's journey from her early days in dance to her experiences on the reality TV show Dance Moms, and her personal growth beyond the spotlight. This engaging conversation explores themes of childhood, family, body positivity, and personal relationships, offering listeners an intimate look into Kalani's life and insights.

1. Introduction and Early Beginnings

The episode opens with Avery welcoming Kalani Hilliker, acknowledging their longstanding mutual friendship and shared connections through Stevie’s Dance Studio.

Kalani Hilliker [00:47]:
"I haven't had to do this in a while. From Arizona. Born and raised, dancer. Grew up being a dancer."

Kalani traces her dance roots back to her childhood in Arizona, highlighting her early participation in dance competitions and television appearances before gaining fame on Dance Moms.

2. Journey to Television: Dance Moms and Beyond

A significant portion of the discussion centers around how Kalani transitioned from local dance competitions to national TV.

Kalani Hilliker [01:08]:
"So there was, like, the make your mark thing with Shake it Up. And my group, AK Squared, we won it. And people don't realize that that was me."
[01:14]

Kalani recounts her participation in Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition and how her success there led to her stint on Dance Moms, where she remained until the age of 17. She emphasizes the impact of starting her dance career at a young age and the support from her family.

3. Family and Friendships: Staying Grounded

Avery and Kalani discuss the importance of family and friendships in maintaining a grounded life despite the pressures of fame.

Avery Woods [02:23]:
"We like to say a trauma bond. Since you've gone through so much with someone, we always say it doesn't matter if we don't talk for a year, if we don't talk for six months. As soon as we see each other, it's like, nothing's changed."
[20:41]

Kalani highlights the enduring friendships formed on the show, noting how they’ve evolved into supportive relationships in adulthood. She credits her family for keeping her grounded and preventing the typical pitfalls associated with child stardom.

4. Challenges of Growing Up in the Spotlight

The conversation shifts to the challenges Kalani faced growing up in the public eye, particularly regarding body image and self-esteem.

Kalani Hilliker [23:08]:
"Or they want you to be. Yeah, is that something that developed over time because you were in the spotlight? Did that."
[23:01]

Kalani shares her struggles with body image, influenced by stringent dance standards and media criticism. She discusses her journey towards body positivity and how her experiences have fueled her advocacy for self-acceptance.

Kalani Hilliker [25:00]:
"I get my Instagram when I was on dance moms, you know what I'm saying? So I was in those early ages of learning all this and people would just say whatever they want."
[24:00]

5. Personal Growth and Body Positivity

Kalani speaks candidly about her decision to undergo breast reduction surgery to alleviate physical discomfort caused by her dancing attire and to improve her self-image.

Kalani Hilliker [27:08]:
"Truthfully, I was just uncomfortable. It was something that I talked about for a while."
[27:06]

She details the emotional and physical challenges of the surgery, emphasizing the importance of making such decisions for personal well-being rather than external approval.

Kalani Hilliker [32:24]:
"There’s nothing wrong with feeling better about your body, especially in areas that no lifestyle is going to change."
[32:24]

Her openness about her body transformation and recovery aims to inspire and support others facing similar issues, reinforcing her commitment to body positivity.

6. Love and Relationships: Engaged and Excited

A heartwarming segment covers Kalani's recent engagement, detailing how she met her fiancé and the romantic proposal in Italy.

Kalani Hilliker [33:54]:
"We met at a bar... I was stuck with all of his friends. And he is not my type whatsoever. And just, like, I did really like him."
[34:04]

She narrates the serendipitous encounter that led to her relationship, highlighting moments of connection and the eventual proposal.

Kalani Hilliker [40:29]:
"So then we were walking up... Neither one of us. I was like, did I say yes? Did you even ask me to marry you?"
[48:25]

The proposal story showcases the genuine love and thoughtfulness behind the moment, underscoring the deep bond between Kalani and her fiancé.

7. Future Aspirations: Teaching and Entrepreneurship

Looking ahead, Kalani shares her aspirations to teach dance and open her own dance studio, emphasizing her passion for mentoring young dancers.

Kalani Hilliker [53:31]:
"I really want to open my own studio. That's kind of my main thing. And then start a brand. Body positivity, kind of face. Dance wear, swim."
[53:27]

Her vision includes fostering a supportive environment for dancers, prioritizing personal connections over competitive pressures. Kalani also expresses interest in launching a body-positive dancewear line, aligning with her advocacy for self-acceptance.

8. Closing Thoughts and Social Media Presence

As the episode wraps up, Kalani provides information on how listeners can connect with her on social media, continuing her mission to inspire and support others beyond the podcast.

Kalani Hilliker [54:28]:
"Just Kalani Hilliker. Not for long, though. Instagram TikTok."
[54:28]

Avery thanks Kalani for her heartfelt and insightful participation, leaving listeners with an encouraging message about personal growth and resilience.

Avery Woods [54:51]:
"Thank you for having me."
[54:51]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kalani Hilliker [01:08]:
  "My group, AK Squared, we won it. And people don't realize that that was me."

• Avery Woods [02:23]:
  "Since you've gone through so much with someone, we always say it doesn't matter if we don't talk for a year, if we don't talk for six months."

• Kalani Hilliker [25:00]:
  "I get my Instagram when I was on dance moms, you know what I'm saying? So I was in those early ages of learning all this and people would just say whatever they want."

• Kalani Hilliker [33:54]:
  "We met at a bar... I was stuck with all of his friends. And he is not my type whatsoever."

• Kalani Hilliker [53:31]:
  "I really want to open my own studio. That's kind of my main thing. And then start a brand. Body positivity, kind of face. Dance wear, swim."

Conclusion

Episode 47 of CHEERS! with Avery Woods offers a comprehensive and heartfelt exploration of Kalani Hilliker's life and career. From her early dance beginnings and experiences on Dance Moms to her advocacy for body positivity and personal relationships, Kalani provides valuable insights and inspiration. This episode is a must-listen for fans and anyone interested in the personal journeys behind the public personas.

Connect with Kalani Hilliker:

• Instagram: @kalanihilliker
• TikTok: @kalanihilliker

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