Maddie Ziegler shot into stardom at just 8 years old when she appeared on the show Dance Moms with Abby Lee Miller.
Ziegler won numerous dance competitions under Miller and her dance school, which was showcased on Dance Moms. The young girl "emerged as the preternaturally polished standout." The show boosted Ziegler's young career, allowing her to appear in six videos for international pop-star Sia.
At just 14 years old, she became a judge on the reality show So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation. Ziegler wrote a memoir in 2017, entitled The Maddie Diaries, which was a New York Times Best Seller. She also started her own fashion line called Maddie, which is "comfy, effortless style that's perfectly Maddie...and you."
Now, Ziegler is one of the most well-known child stars with a name almost everyone has heard of. She's solidified her celebrity status, but there's just one problem...she doesn't want it.
"I don't consider myself, like, 'Oh, I'm a star, a celebrity, or famous'. I am just a girl from Pittsburgh," Ziegler told Bustle.
The 14-year-old currently stars in Sia's new music video for Rainbow, off the My Little Pony: The Movie soundtrack. Despite her numerous competition wins, television appearances, and best-selling book, Ziegler is trying to keep a low-profile.
"I don't think it's fair for kids to say, 'Oh, I'm famous, I'm a celebrity,' I find that really rude and it seems like they have a big head," she says. "I never want be a brat or be stuck up or snobby."
Even though she's done a lot, her work with Sia is what Ziegler is most proud of.
"It doesn't really seem like work anymore when we're together," she says. "It means a lot to me, because I thought that after I did 'Chandelier' I would never do anything for Sia again ... The fact that we've continued this journey together for almost four years now is insane. I've loved getting to grow as a person."
Ziegler will also be releasing a series of young adult novels in the coming months, and she's excited to be able to have a positive impacts on other youth.
"It means the world that I am an influence to a lot of girls and boys," she says. "I just want to continue making this statement to girls "” and boys "” that you can do it and if you just believe in yourself you'll achieve whatever you put your mind to."
It's so wonderful to see a young talent who acknowledges they still have a lot to learn and that staying grounded is the most important lesson in life!