Bottom of the pyramid A memoir of persevering, dancing for myself, and starring in my own life

In this solid autobiography, Dance Moms cast member Sioux (Today I Dance, a picture book) opens up about her experience as the reality show's only Black dancer. She first joined the Abby Lee Dance Company at age three, six years before the show--which followed the company--premiered. By the time Dance Moms was in full swing, Sioux was regularly singled out as the company's weak link, frequently coming last in coach Abby Lee Miller's weekly rankings. Sioux, who spent seven seasons on the show, recalls her desperate attempts to stay in Miller's good graces, despite constant dismissal and racist microaggressions ("Don't you just wish you had white-girl hair," Miller asked her at one point). To cope, she drew strength from her tight-knit family and the therapeutic power of writing down her experiences. After leaving the show before its final season, Sioux pivoted to acting, starring in The Bold and the Beautiful and 2024's Mean Girls remake. Sioux's harrowing reality TV ordeal cuts deep, and her subsequent self-assurance is endearing and infectious. It adds up to an inspiring account of reclaiming artistic agency. Agent: David Doerrer, Platform Agency. (Nov.)