Kalani Brooke Hilliker (born September 23, 2000) is an American dancer, model, and television personality. She rose to fame in 2013 as a contestant on the Lifetime reality series, Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, and subsequently appeared on Dance Moms, becoming a regular cast member in its fourth season.


Career

In 2011, Hilliker was part of the dance group, "AKsquared," Disney's first Make Your Mark: Ultimate Dance Off - Shake It Up Edition winners. She and the group appeared on Disney's Shake It Up for winning the contest.

In early 2013, Hilliker had a small role in one episode of the short-lived ABC Family television series Bunheads.

In late 2013, Hilliker competed in the second season of AUDC. She starred on the show alongside her mother, Kira. Hilliker quickly became Abby's favorite for her flexibility, technique, and natural look of a dancer. Kalani was originally eliminated in the Vegas week for a weak Hip-Hop performance, but Abby brought her back using her Call-Back Card. She made it to the final four but was eliminated during the group challenge on the final week.

Hilliker began performing for the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) in the Dance Moms fourth season episode "Big Trouble in the Big Apple," continuing on the show until the season's midseason finale, after which Kalani and her mother left the program. Kira emphasized on Twitter that she had a little boy and man at home, and chose family over fame. Kira also spoke to the International Business Times, which reported that she pulled Kalani from the show in response "to a request to sign a seven-year contract in order to stay on Season 4." Kalani has since returned to the ALDC as a member of their Junior Elite Competition Team for a number of competitions filmed for the fifth season and sixth season (season 6).

Filmography, Discography and Major Awards

As herself


Year Series Notes
2013 Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition Contestant, full second season (12 of 12 episodes)
2014 America's Got Talent Cameo, 1 episode as part of Complexity (contortion group)
2014–present Dance Moms Lead
2015 The View Performed in group dance "Together We Stand"

Acting credits

Year Series Role Notes

2011 Shake It Up Kalani Hilliker (Member of AKsquared) Guest, Episode "Camp It Up"
2013 Bunheads Ballet Dancer Uncredited
2016 Breaking Brooklyn Dancer Post-Production
Swiped Ashlee Post-Production

Music videos

Year Song Artist Role

2014 "It's A Girl Party" Mackenzie Ziegler Supporting
2015 "Turn Up The Track" MattyB Supporting
2015 "Wear 'Em Out" Kendall K Vertes Supporting
2016 "My Name" Mackenzie Sol Main role

Awards and Nominations

Year Award Category Result

2013 The Dance Awards Junior Female Best Dancer Won[5]
2015 & 2016 The Dance Awards Teen Female Best Dancer 2nd runner up[6]
2015 Dancers Choice Awards (IDA) Favorite Dancer 17 & Under Nominated