‘Dance Moms’ Star Chloe Lukasiak Says She And Her Former Co-Stars Still “Keep In Touch”: “The Second We See Each Other, It’s Like Nothing Has Changed”

One of infamous dance teacher Abby Lee Miller‘s haunting taglines may have been “everyone’s replaceable,” but in the eyes of Dance Moms fans, that certainly does not apply to Chloe Lukasiak.

She, along with JoJo Siwa, Brooke and Paige Hyland, Kendall Vertes, and Kalani Hilliker — and of course, their moms — are back in Lifetime’s upcoming two-hour special Dance Moms: The Reunion, where they rehash the drama that ensued both on the show and in its aftermath, while also updating fans on their lives.

While it’s been a hot sec since fans have seen the cast all together, Lukasiak told Decider that she and her former co-stars all “see each other when [they] can.”

“The problem is we’re all busy and in different cities, but I think we all make an effort to stay in touch,” she explained. “But even if we go months without talking, the second we see each other, it’s like nothing has changed.”

Despite having nerves coming into the reunion, Lukasiak said she’s “grateful” and “relieved” to have taken part in the special.

“I’m just really appreciative that the girls and I had an opportunity to voice our opinions and kind of look back on some memories, and just address some things,” she shared. “I think the fans will appreciate our perspective, because usually it was our mom’s perspectives.”

DECIDER caught up with Lukasiak ahead of the highly anticipated reunion to see what she’s been up to since “living on the dance floor,” one of her fondest memories from the show, and how she feels about her mother Christi Lukasiak revisiting the show in her upcoming Dance Moms-inspired venture. Read our chat below.

DECIDER: Before we delve into Dance Moms and the Reunion, I saw that you and your mom were behind the bar at Watch What Happens Live. We are huge Bravo fans here at DECIDER, so we wanted to ask about your experience shooting that.

CHLOE LUKASIAK: OK, I feel behind! … I don’t actually know really any Bravo. I think that stems from growing up on a reality show. Other than one or two reality shows here and there, I don’t really watch anything.

Although I did get introduced to, what is it called, the Bravosphere? I was introduced to that when I watched The Traitors. I binged both seasons, and I think the second season was a lot of Bravo women, so I got an introduction. Maybe I need to go home and watch that next. But yeah, Andy [Cohen] was great, the show was so fun, I loved it. I was “bartending.” It was quite a fun time. We played a fun little game of “Who said it: Vanderpump or Dance Moms.” I didn’t have any quotes because when I was on, I wasn’t allowed to speak. I just dance. But, yeah, it was a really good time.

That sounds like so much fun. And speaking of your mom, she’s launching Dance Moms: Epic Showdowns. How are you feeling about her revisiting the show?

Oh, she’s great at what she does. She’s so witty, and she has all of these great sound bytes, so I’m sure it’s going to be phenomenal. It’s going to be epic.

And can we potentially expect any appearances from you or other Dance Moms alums?

I was not there myself, but I don’t know. I know that they have lots of fun things planned. She was talking about some clips that no one has seen before, so I’m actually excited to see it myself.

Now, to delve into the Reunion: I know that you had some nerves going in. Completely understandable. And I was just curious how you feel now on the other side having shot it. Are you relieved, happy? How are you feeling?

I feel really relieved, grateful I did it. The way I looked at is, I was honest with myself and I was like, if you don’t do it, they’re probably going to talk about who’s not there, so your name will come up anyway. So at least if you do it, you have control of the narrative. Not “control of the narrative,” but I’m there to kind of experience it with everyone and look back on the times together, and express my gratitude for everything it gave us. So I’m really happy I did it. We filmed it so long ago now, back in November, so it’s kind of funny coming back to it one more time. But I think everyone will really enjoy it.

I know you and your castmates talked about how some of the drama and the noise surrounding the show overpowered the more fond experiences that you had. Is there one memory you have that you look back on with fondness that defines the more positive side of the show?

I can’t remember with too much detail, but I have one memory of us on the bus. We were going to New York. I believe we were actually doing some press because I think the show was airing again or something? But I just remember it was around the holidays, so New York looked beautiful, and we were all together. We were on the bus blasting “Empire State of Mind.” And we were filming, so it wasn’t about, like, you know, drama and fighting. It was just, the cast and the crew were together, but we weren’t doing anything. I feel like it just defined the experience for me because honestly all you saw was the cast, but the crew was like our family. And it just became, like, one big dysfunctional group at all times, but, yeah, we were so close. It occupied a lot of my childhood and it taught me so much. So I think that just really encapsulates my experience, but there are just so many things, you know. So many memories, I can’t remember them all. The girls and I always had a good time. The moms were off doing their own thing, but the girls and I were always close no matter what.

And that’s so special. And I know that it’s been, like, 10 years since you guys were all together on the show, which was crazy to hear. So have you all kept in touch in the meantime? I know this was one of the first times that you all were back together.

Yeah, we all keep in touch. I mean, I think the first or second year after we left the show on our own time, we all kinda took a moment. We were like, I think I need, you know, a couple of months not seeing and talking to you all everyday, because it was constant exposure. We’d have dance class on Monday, and then we were filming from Tuesday all the way to Saturday, all day long. So it was like, we were always with each other. And then we weren’t filming, we were doing tutoring together. So it was just a lot. And I think when we left, we all needed a minute. But after that, we’ve all been talking and in touch and seeing each other for years. Kalani moved to L.A., I moved to L.A., Nia moved to L.A., so I saw all of them all the time. I always text Paige and Brooke. We see each other when we can. The problem is we’re all busy and in different cities, but I think we all make an effort to stay in touch. But even if we go months without talking, the second we see each other, it’s like nothing has changed.

Now that we’ve talked about what you took away from the reunion, what are you hoping that fans take away from this reunion?

Oh my! I’m just really appreciative that the girls and I had an opportunity to voice our opinions and kind of look back on some memories, and just address some things. I think the fans will appreciate our perspective because usually it was our mom’s perspectives. I hope they take away — I mean, I can’t speak for everyone — but how grateful I was for the experience, how it changed me, how it shaped me. How it shaped all of us, how many opportunities it gave all of us. Yeah, I just really hope everyone enjoys it. I’m interested to see people’s thoughts. Tell me, did you like it? What are your thoughts?

Oh, I loved it!

Ok, good!

I didn’t get to see all of it, so I’m definitely tuning in when it comes out. I also wanted to congratulate you on graduating.

Thank you.

This is so exciting, such a big time in your life. How are you feeling, and what are your current post-grad plans?

Yeah, I’m feeling really good. We were talking before this, and I was saying (laughs) I had a few points during my college career I was on the precipice of quitting. But I never really would’ve. My dad was always really supportive and encouraging of me going to college, which I’m really grateful for because now looking back, I’m so thankful I have that under my belt. Those four years of pushing myself and just learning as much as I could, and now I have a degree to show for it. But I’m feeling ready to move onto the next chapter of my life. There’s a lot going on. I’m moving, I have Elevé dance competition, the business I co-founded, I’m drafting a novel. So there’s just a lot of moving parts, and it feels very… chaotic in the best way. Like in a way that I love. I think that’s probably because of my childhood. I grew up surrounded by a lot going on, so I think I’m always craving that. I’m like, how much can we do at once? How much can I push myself?

With your competition, would you ever consider televising it like on Dance Moms or featuring it on a show like that?

I think I’d be open to it. Yeah, I think that could be interesting and fun. I think the dance competition world is such an interesting space, and I think it was painted in a very certain light on the show. I think it would be fun to explore what else goes on in the dance world because it’s not just yelling and fighting and drama.

I totally understand. With your upcoming new projects, what are you the most excited for?

I couldn’t pick, I’m excited for all of it! I think it’s an exciting time. I’ve really been enjoying Elevé, the dance competition. We’ve had our first year and it’s gone amazing, and we’re planning our second year. It far exceeded my expectations I had for the first year, and I think the second year will be even better, so I’m just really grateful.

What kind of role do you have in the competition? Are you ever a judge, are you ever going to host the competition?

The co-founders and I won’t be judges. We hire judges. People who are educated professionals who have the knowledge needed to properly critique dancers and give them suggestions. I actually emcee each event right now, which is really interesting. I run the sound system, I announce each number. It’s not a role I thought I’d ever take, but you know, first year of a business, you have to do what you have to do to make sure it’s running smoothly. It’s taught me a lot. It’s been a little stressful, but I’m having a lot of fun.

Dance Moms: The Reunion airs on Lifetime Wednesday, May 1 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.