A former star of the Lifetime reality show Dance Moms, Nia Sioux, released her memoir, Bottom of the Pyramid, on November 4, 2025. For people who know the show, Sioux has faced many assumptions and criticisms. After many years, she has decided to share her own story.
The series Dance Moms follows several competitive dancers and their mothers as they train and perform every week. The girls on the team are constantly shamed or degraded by their dance teacher, Abby Lee Miller. As one of the dancers on the team, Sioux always has to do her best, because every mess up can be used against her.
On the show, Miller uses a “pyramid” in her training, ranking the dancers based on how well they compete and/or behave during rehearsals. As the show progresses, Sioux remains at the bottom of the pyramid and feels overlooked, especially when new team members receive more opportunities.
Sioux eventually discovered that “being at the bottom means you have so much room to grow.” Overall, Sioux has become a star in her own life and has received many more opportunities. She has enjoyed her journey and believes that it has all served a purpose, but she doesn’t know if she would ever want to go through all of this again.
This book is relatable because it explores themes of self-confidence. The author shows how she has started at the bottom but has still found a way to build her own path, giving it authenticity. She used the challenges she faced to build her self-confidence, and her story shows how important it is to trust your voice and stay true to yourself.
Success isn’t only defined by being at the “top of the pyramid,” Sioux explains, and how it looks different for every individual. She was able to overcome all doubts and demonstrate how such a young girl can persevere with determination.
The most inspiring thing about Sioux’s story is that, even though she received a lot of criticism, she didn’t let it stop her from achieving her dreams; instead, she used it as fuel. She did not let the world around her define her, and this message is relevant today, given society’s constant consumption of social media.
Although others failed to see her potential, she has learned to show up and believe in herself when others do not. Her journey is powerful, because she is motivated by how others have underestimated her. This book is for anyone who has ever felt misunderstood or overlooked because, as Sioux reminds us, “You have the power to create your own narrative, your own level of success.”
You can find Nia Sioux’s book Bottom of the Pyramid at Amazon, Harper Collins Focus, and Barnes & Noble. Check it out today!
