So, picture this: It’s 2024, and I’m doom-scrolling through Instagram, half-watching a video of a young woman in tiny shorts doing a perfect back handspring on a paddleboard in the middle of the ocean. I squint. Wait. Is that… Nia Frazier? The girl who once cried over a group number on Dance Moms? Yep. And she’s not crying about a pyramid ranking anymore, that’s for sure. That moment made me wonder: What the heck is Nia doing now, besides balancing on a flimsy board over shark-infested waters?
The Girl Who Never Gave Up (And It Shows)
Let’s be real for a second: Nia was always the underdog on the show. While Maddie was doing five pirouettes and Kenzie was being cute, Nia was… trying. Really, really trying. She got the “story” dances—like the one about bullying or the elephant routine—while the others got the winners. It was frustrating to watch, right? But here’s the twist: Nia didn’t need to win a trophy on a reality show. She was playing the long game.
Fast-forward to now, and that long game is paying off in a major way. After Dance Moms ended its original run, Nia didn’t just fade into reality-TV-obscurity, like some of the other kids. She went to college—yes, college, at the University of Michigan, where she studied communications and media. Imagine going from screaming matches with Abby Lee Miller to sitting in a lecture hall. Bet those classes felt like a vacation.
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From Pirouettes to Paddles (Yes, Surfing)
Now, Nia is a full-on surf influencer and content creator. Her Instagram? It’s a mood board of ocean vibes, yoga poses, and paddleboarding tricks. She’s built a brand around fitness and adventure, but not in a fake, influencer-y way. She’s actually good at it. I watched a video where she explains how to do a “pop-up” on a surfboard, and I thought, “This woman could teach a masterclass in resilience.”
But wait—she hasn’t completely left dance behind. She’s posted some choreography videos, and honestly? Her style is so different now. Less “jazz hands for Abby” and more “I feel the music in my bones.” It’s mature. It’s hers. And she’s openly talked about how healing it’s been to dance on her own terms. No pyramid. No meltdowns. Just pure movement.
Dance Moms: Nia and Mackenzie's Duet "The Little Girl Who Lived Down
The Music Angle (Because of Course She Sings)
Remember when she released that single “Slay” back in 2016? It was… a choice. Let’s not pretend it was a Grammy winner. But that’s the thing about Nia—she’s not afraid to try things and fail publicly. That’s a superpower, honestly. These days, her music is more indie-pop and less “tween banger.” She’s dropped a few tracks on Spotify, and they’re actually decent. One song called “Wildflower” got a little buzz. It’s not top-40, but it feels authentic, which is more than most ex-reality stars can say.
And she’s been doing live shows? Small venues, intimate settings. No, you won’t see her at the Super Bowl halftime show (yet), but she’s out there, playing guitar and vibing. It’s a far cry from that haunted look she had during a group number. Irony alert: she’s probably having more fun playing to 200 people than she ever did on a stage at the “Abby Lee Dance Company.”
Dance Moms - Nia Frazier - I’m Gonna Survive in 2025 | Dance moms
What About Her Mental Health? (The Real Tea)
Okay, let’s get serious for a second—because this is the part I find most inspiring. Nia has been very open about the mental health toll of growing up on TV. In interviews, she’s talked about therapy, anxiety, and the weird pressure of being “the dancer who was always last.” She’s said something like, “I used to think my value was tied to a score sheet. Now I know it’s not about winning—it’s about how I feel when I move.” That hits different, doesn’t it?
She’s also an advocate for body positivity and self-acceptance. On a recent podcast, she casually mentioned, “I used to hate my legs because Abby said they were too muscular. Now I love them because they let me paddle through waves.” Mic drop. Honestly, compared to some of the other Dance Moms kids—who are still chasing drama or selling detox teas—Nia seems like the one who actually got out.
What S Nia From Dance Moms Doing Now at Megan Blackmon blog
What’s Next? (A Cautious Prediction)
I don’t have a crystal ball, but I’d bet Nia’s next move involves something creative and own. Maybe a fitness app? A short film about surfing? Or a memoir—because she definitely has the stories. She’s also toying with acting again; she had a minor role in a Netflix show called Surviving Summer, and it wasn’t half bad. She’s not trying to be the next Meryl Streep, but she’s building a portfolio of skills that don’t rely on a single platform.
Here’s the thing: Nia doesn’t need a pyramid to tell her she’s first. She’s already first in her own life. And that’s the ultimate win. So next time you see her doing a handstand on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, just smile and remember: the girl who was always “in the back” is now front and center in her own ocean. Not bad for a kid from Pittsburgh.
