Maddie Ziegler returns to Pittsburgh with stop at Dancer's Closet in Murrysville
Actress, dancer and model Maddie Ziegler, 13, has performed all over the country, but she's not forgotten the store that supplied her with her first leotard and pair of tights at the age of 2.
That's the reason behind the “Dance Moms” star's autograph session and meet-and-greet Dec. 26 at The Dancer's Closet in Murrysville.
And there is no truth to the rumor she is leaving the Lifetime series after Season 6, says her mother, Melissa Gisoni.
“Pittsburgh is my hometown, and I love it,” says Maddie, who lives in Los Angeles and Murrysville. “Anytime I can come to Pittsburgh, I do. I love The Dancer's Closet. I got my very first dance outfit for ballet there, so it means a lot to me.”
Maddie was named one of Time magazine's “30 Most Influential Teens” of 2015, dancing in Sia's music videos for “Chandelier,” “Elastic Heart” and “Big Girls Cry.” Earlier this week, she made an appearances on NBC's “Today” show with her younger sister Mackenzie to donate to the show's 22nd annual toy drive.
She has appeared on “Dancing with the Stars,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “Saturday Night Live.” She has also modeled for Ralph Lauren and Target.
Maddie just finished filming “The Book of Henry” with Naomi Watts and Sarah Silverman, and has a role in Sia's directorial debut with “Sister.” Maddie is a finalist at the People's Choice awards, which will air Jan. 6 on CBS.
Maddie is a brand ambassador for Capezio, a company that specializes in dance shoes, apparel and accessories. She collaborated on a line of dance wear with designer Betsy Johnson for Capezio.
Gisoni says supporting local companies such as The Dancer's Closet is a must in their household and that her daughter's success began with that first outfit purchased there.
“I knew Maddie would be successful,” Gisoni says. “She has an amazing work ethic. Some days she works from 7:30 in the morning until 10:30 at night. That's pretty amazing. She is very good at multi-tasking. God gave her lots of gifts.”
There are long days, and it takes a lot of work, which is all part of the process to be successful, Maddie says.
“This has all been so exciting,” she says. “I never thought I would become someone who people know who I am. They know my name.
“It is kind of weird. ... It all happened so quickly,” she says.
“I can't stress enough how grateful I am to have Maddie here and how proud I am of her,” says The Dancer's Closet manager Kim Swartz, whose mother, Gloria Compton, owns the store, along with a second location in Greensburg.
“It means so much to us,” Swartz says. “We are grateful. She is exceptionally grounded, and she hasn't wavered from that. We are so excited to host Maddie, ... and a little nervous because we want it to be perfect.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at jharrop@tribweb.com or 412-320-7889.
