Kalani Hilliker
Kalani Hilliker | |
|---|---|
Hilliker at the 2016 Kids' Choice Awards | |
| Born | September 23, 2000 (age 16) |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 2011–Present |
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.[1] 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."[2] 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)[3][4] |
| 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[7] |
| 2016 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Dancer | Nominated |
References
- ^ Schumann, Rebecka. (2015-06-03) ‘Dance Moms’ Star Kira Girard Engaged; Kalani Hilliker's Mom Accepts Marriage Proposal At Reunion Show Taping. Ibtimes.com. Retrieved on 2016-01-21.
- ^ Schumann, Rebecka (2014-0-05) Why Did Kalani Hilliker Leave ‘Dance Moms’? Mom Kira Girard Speaks Out. Ibtimes.com. Retrieved on 2016-01-21.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbpy8OnDpXg
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi2hXd2AZcI 5 seconds from show, including Kalani
- ^ http://www.thedanceawards.com/halloffame_juniorfemale
- ^ http://thedanceawards.com/results2015_bestdancers_lv.php
- ^ http://industrydanceawards.com/dancers-choice-awards/2015/nominees