Dance Moms alum Dr. Holly Frazier is standing firmly behind her daughter, Nia Sioux, following criticism of Nia’s new memoir, Bottom of the Pyramid: A Memoir of Persevering, Dancing for Myself, and Starring in My Own Life. In a passionate TikTok posted on November 3, Frazier addressed detractors and called out efforts to discredit her daughter’s story.
“I am quiet because this is Nia’s moment to shine, but I see you,” Frazier said in the clip. “Some of you are being manipulative by trying to deflect the issue onto me. The issue is not me… Do not invalidate [Nia’s] experience by trying to shift the blame on her mother. Shame on you. You should be embarrassed. That was an ignorant, low blow.”
Frazier also pushed back on suggestions that parental decisions were responsible for the alleged mistreatment Nia faced on the series. “No one was hired to be evil or cruel,” she continued. “The issues came from someone who did not do their job.”
Former Co-Stars Weigh In On The Memoir
Frazier’s response arrived shortly after former Dance Moms stars Christi Lukasiak and Kelly Hyland discussed Nia’s book on their podcast, Back to the Barre. The pair expressed frustration that they weren’t given a heads-up about the memoir, which includes Nia’s recollections of her six seasons on the Lifetime reality hit.
“She talks about all of us and our kids, and I just feel like… a phone call would have been nice, saying, ‘My daughter is going to talk about everybody in the book,’” Hyland said. “Meanwhile, my kids weren’t even there for 90% of it, what she’s talking about in the book. But we’re lumped in all of that.”
Frazier countered that neither she nor Nia owed former castmates an advance briefing, emphasizing the purpose of the memoir. “So many people have been touched by [Nia’s] experience that she wanted to share [it] because she knows other people identify and relate and she’s not alone,” she said. “What we’re not going to do is manipulate the truth and the narrative to fit your own agenda because you don’t want to hold certain people accountable.”
What Nia Sioux Alleges In Bottom of the Pyramid
Released November 4, Bottom of the Pyramid chronicles Nia’s journey from joining Dance Moms at age 9 to navigating the pressures of reality TV through her teen years. The memoir includes allegations of racism and mistreatment that Nia says she experienced under former dance teacher Abby Lee Miller during her time with the company.
Among the incidents Nia recounts are allegedly being asked if she ever wished she had “White girl hair,” as well as being assigned solos she describes as racially insensitive. The memoir also claims Miller offered singer Aubrey O’Day $10,000 not to work with Nia during season 5. Miller has not responded here, but the book frames these moments as part of a larger pattern Nia says shaped her formative years on the show.
Frazier’s Message To Critics And Supporters
In her TikTok, Frazier thanked those who have supported Nia and criticized anyone weighing in without reading the memoir. “Instead of talking about my kid, instead of talking about a book you haven’t read, why don’t you support her?” she said, adding that she’s “disengaging from anyone who has the wrong opinion.”
The former Dance Moms mom underscored that the memoir is meant to speak to readers beyond the show’s fanbase. By sharing her experiences, Nia hopes to connect with anyone who has felt marginalized or silenced, Frazier explained, and to offer a clear account of what she says happened during her years on the series.
Dance Moms debuted on Lifetime in 2011 and quickly became a reality TV phenomenon, known for its high-stakes competitions, intense studio dynamics, and behind-the-scenes clashes. Nia, who appeared in six seasons, became one of the show’s most recognizable young stars as she balanced school, dance, and public scrutiny at a young age.
Frazier’s latest remarks underline a broader conversation about accountability in unscripted television, particularly when children are involved. Her message reiterates that the spotlight should remain on Nia’s first-person account rather than on attempts to redirect blame or question her right to tell her story.
Bottom of the Pyramid details both the challenges and the resilience that followed, with Nia reflecting on what she learned, how she persevered, and how she is now working to define her career on her own terms. As Frazier put it, “This is Nia’s moment to shine,” and the memoir aims to ensure her voice is heard clearly.
For viewers who watched Nia grow up on screen, the memoir offers new context to familiar episodes and a more comprehensive look at what life was like beyond the studio mirrors. For newcomers, it serves as a candid entry point into one of reality TV’s most-discussed ensembles.
Frazier’s bottom line is simple: read the book before passing judgment. With her daughter’s account now on shelves, she says she’s focused on celebrating Nia and stepping away from those who seek to minimize or reshape the narrative. In other words, the conversation starts with the pages of Bottom of the Pyramid—and with Nia Sioux’s own words.
