Is 'Dance Moms' Star GiaNina Paolantonio the Next Maddie Ziegler?
Updated June 11 2019, 12:15 p.m. ET
And at the top of the pyramid this week is ...
Season 8 of Dance Moms has officially kicked off and in true Abby Lee Miller fashion, she already has a No. 1 dancer in her eyes. Hailing from the Jersey Shore, GiaNina Paolantonio may be petite, but she is one fierce dancer.
It’s no wonder the East Coast native has already captivated fans with her emotional range and dance skills. And, we don’t blame Abby for taking a keen interest in GiaNina’s career. With an extensive resume in the dance world, we’re not surprised this teen beat out hundreds of girls at the audition for the popular Lifetime show.
So, with Princess Leia buns and cat ears in place, here’s what you should know about GiaNina.
She’s already made her big screen debut in The Greatest Showman.
Dance Moms is not GiaNina’s first time on-screen. In fact, the teen already made her film debut alongside Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman. The reality star played a principal ballerina in the 2017 movie-musical. With one foot (perfectly pointed) in the performing arts world, we wouldn't be surprised if more TV/film roles come her way.
“I had the best snow day enjoying the @greatestshowman in my own home," she captioned a short video clip of herself performing in the movie. Adding, "It was such a fun experience dancing with my amazing friends!”
She has also performed on Broadway.
Besides working in the professional dance world, GiaNina has also made her Broadway debut. The aspiring dancer played the role of Amanda Thripp in the stage show Matilda, and “took her final bow” in 2016.
“Happy World Theatre Day! I spent 18 months performing in Matilda on Broadway and have an unbelievable amount of memories that I will never forget!” GiaNina captioned a throwback Instagram pic from her stage days.
Catch her on Lip Sync Battle Shorties.
GiaNina performs as a background dancer on the hit show Lip Sync Battle Shorties. Nick Cannon and Dance Moms alum JoJo Siwa host the Nickelodeon series, which has kids going head-to-head performing their favorite songs. You can watch her bust a move on the popular Nick show.
Did we mention that GiaNina has also danced alongside Mariah Carey?
Is there anything she hasn't done in the dance world? Even though she’s just a teenager, this young girl has performed with one of the biggest artists of all-time. Yes, we’re talking about Mariah Carey.
While Mimi may be known for her voice and glamorous ensembles, one thing fans can never get out of their heads is her catchy Christmas tunes. The rising star has performed with Mariah on her “All I Want for Christmas is You" tour.
Basically, she’s living the life many people dream of, and she’s not even old enough to drive. This girl has tackled TV, film, and Broadway, consistently being a standout amongst her peers.
This hardworking dancer has proved that dedication, hard work, and a lot of talent can help you achieve your goals. We’re excited to watch GiaNina’s continued success and growth as a dancer.
Catch new episodes of Dance Moms: Resurrection on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Lifetime.
