Born in the sun-soaked suburbs of Mesa, Arizona, on September 23, 2000, Kalani Hilliker discovered her passion for dance almost by accident. Her mom, Kira Girard, signed her up for classes simply because she loved the idea of decking out her little girl in sparkly costumes—little did she know it would launch a star. By age 12, Kalani was captivating audiences on season 2 of Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition, where she clinched fourth place and caught the eye of dance world insiders.
From there, her career took off like a perfectly executed pirouette. She joined the cast of Dance Moms in season 4, trading the competition stage for the high-stakes drama of the reality show. Guest spots followed on Disney’s Shake It Up and ABC Family’s Bunheads, showcasing her fluid moves and infectious energy. Fast-forward to 2018, and Kalani pivoted to the web, starring in the gritty series Dirt, proving her range beyond the dance floor.
With over 7 million Instagram followers hanging on her every post, she’s built an empire blending dance tutorials, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and unfiltered life updates.
Offstage, Kalani keeps it close-knit. She shares her world with brother Jax, half-brother Jett, and half-sister Kaliah. Romance bloomed with fellow dancer Brandon Chang before she found her match in Nathan Goldman; they got engaged in August 2024 and tied the knot in September 2025, just after her 25th birthday. She’s tight with Dance Moms alums Mackenzie and Madison Ziegler, often swapping stories from their whirlwind days under the spotlight.
At 24, she’s not just a dancer—she’s a force, turning personal flair into a lasting legacy.