Kalani Hilliker Looks Back on Her ‘Dance Moms’ Journey 10 Years Later (Exclusive)

Kalani Hilliker is dancing to the beat of her own drum.

Ten years after making her television debut on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, the former Dance Moms star is reflecting on her unique childhood in the spotlight while also showcasing a look at her reality today.  

"I don't regret anything because everything happens for a reason," Hilliker exclusively told The Messenger Wednesday when celebrating the launch of her beauty and wellness brand Kare. "I'm very grateful for everybody that put me in the position that I am today. I'm very, very lucky that they took a chance on this 12-year-old girl dancer and wanted to put her on that show."

She continued, "I'm very grateful for Abby Lee Miller for loving me and caring about me and really pushing for me to end up on Dance Moms. I wouldn't be here without the show."

That's not to say the 22-year-old didn't have days where she felt like she was on the bottom of the pyramid. 

While growing up on reality TV, Hilliker said she "didn't really get a say for what I looked like or what was put out there."

"When I was younger, I definitely struggled with what people thought about me or what people said about me," she said. "There are always days where you're going to think like that. I always have days where I'm like, 'Oh somebody told me I'm ugly or fat today.' Then you go, 'Maybe I am,' but you have to be able to overcome that and I'm lucky that I have a lot of amazing groups of people around me." 

One thing Hilliker will forever treasure is the friendships she made with the cast. While she's unable to see longtime co-stars like Kendall Vertes, Nia Frazier, Camryn Bridges and Chloe Lukasiak regularly, there remains a connection that can't be broken.

"We went through hell and back on the show," Hilliker admitted. "We were just seven girls that hung out every single day. When we weren't filming, we were traveling and doing different shows and whatnot. You just grow a bond and a sisterhood." 

After briefly living in Los Angeles, Hilliker decided to move back to her home state of Arizona to be closer to family, including her mother Kira. 

When not hanging out with friends, Hilliker joked that she'll invite herself over to mom's house for free dinner.

"I also teach dance," Hilliker added. "That is still in my life. It's my favorite thing."

She's also finding joy in her new company, appropriately titled Kare. Featuring tension-relieving headbands, mineral masks and more beauty essentials, Hilliker's line of products revolves around self-care and mental health.

"I struggle with anxiety and I deal with it in my day-to-day life and I want to be a big advocate towards mental health," she shared. "I wanted to jump into the wellness space and be able to create different wellness products to be able to ease your anxiety and ease your stress after a long day or before you start a long day."