Kendall Vertes: From Dance Moms to College, Influencing & Her New Podcast

From Dance Moms to College Life

• 📌 Kendall Vertes started on Dance Moms at age eight, staying with the show until 14 or 15, with the show gaining popularity in seasons two and three.
• 💡 The K+8 child labor laws significantly improved the working conditions, mental, and physical health for child stars on set, allowing for more school time and proper breaks.
• 👯‍♀️ Her daily routine involved filming from noon to 5 PM, followed by dance classes from 5 PM to 10 PM, with strict rules against going home.
• ⚠️ She noted that Abby Lee Miller was portrayed "nicer" on TV than in reality, with the show hiding her worst moments.

Navigating Academics and Influencing

• 🎓 Despite initial resistance, Kendall pursued a Political Science and Pre-Law degree at James Madison University, choosing it to learn something new rather than for a specific career path.
• ✍️ Her college experience involved intensive paper writing and memorization, with no multiple-choice exams, highlighting the academic rigor.
• 📱 She successfully balanced academics, social life, dance, and influencing during college, learning crucial time management and independence skills.
• 🤖 The discussion touched upon the impact of ChatGPT and AI, noting its potential to replace jobs and the challenges professors face in detecting AI-generated work.

Personal Life and New Beginnings

• 💔 After Dance Moms, she found it challenging to make genuine friends in high school, and experienced her first heartbreak with a viral Michigan football player.
• 🏡 Currently, she lives with her parents in Pittsburgh and is exploring potential moves to Boston, Scottsdale (Arizona), or Dallas.
• 🎙️ Her new podcast, "Not So Little," aims to be a relatable platform for young adults navigating their twenties, covering topics like adulthood, friendships, and relationships.
• ✨ She emphasizes the importance of giving oneself grace and avoiding comparison, especially given the often-glamorized portrayals of life on social media.

Hot Takes on Dating and Trends

• 💖 Kendall discussed her preference for dating athletes, acknowledging it as a "red flag" but appreciating their understanding of public life, and expressed disinterest in "dull" finance guys.
• ⏳ She believes situationships should last a maximum of three months, after which a clear conversation about the relationship's status is necessary.
• 🕵️‍♀️ For first dates, she admits to extensive "stalking," including Zillow searches and checking social media for recent follows, to gather information.
• 👗 In fashion, she dislikes ballet flats (due to foot size) and micro bags, but embraces the "clean girl aesthetic" and baggy jeans as an everyday staple.