Mackenzie Ziegler Bio
Mackenzie Frances Ziegler (born June 4, 2004) is an American singer, actress, internet personality, and former dancer. She rose to fame on Lifetime’s Dance Moms alongside her sister Maddie Ziegler, appearing from 2011 through 2016. Since then, Ziegler has pursued music, releasing albums such as Mack Z (2014) and Phases (2018) and singles with Johnny Orlando, along with acting roles on Nickelodeon’s Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn and the Brat TV series Total Eclipse. She has built a large following on social media across Instagram and TikTok, and has launched business ventures including fashion, cosmetics line and published a self-help book. Ziegler’s work spans television, film, and live performances as she continues to expand her multimedia career.
Early Life and Background
Mackenzie Frances Ziegler was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Murrysville, Pennsylvania. She is of Polish, Italian and German descent. Her parents are Melissa Ziegler-Gisoni and Kurt Ziegler, and she has an older sister Maddie who is also a dancer and actress, along with two older paternal half-brothers Ryan and Tyler, and two older step-siblings Matthew and Michelle.
Ziegler began dancing at the Abby Lee Dance Company in Pittsburgh at the age of two. With that company, she won titles in dance competitions. Her parents divorced when she was six years old after a 2009 bankruptcy, and her mother remarried Greg Gisoni in 2013. Ziegler was homeschooled during her childhood, which allowed her to balance her dance training with her education.
Path to Entertainment
Ziegler first appeared on television in 2011 on Lifetime’s reality dance show Dance Moms, alongside her mother and sister. The show followed young dancers and their mothers as they competed at national dance competitions while training at the Abby Lee Dance Company. Ziegler quickly became a standout performer on the ALDC competition team, showcasing her talent in group routines and solo performances.
In 2014, Ziegler released her debut studio album titled Mack Z, which she also used as a stage name for singing appearances. The album peaked at number one on the iTunes pop charts and number seven on the iTunes albums sales chart across all genres. The music video for the album’s lead single Girl Party also reached number one on the iTunes pop chart and has been viewed more than 85 million times.
Ziegler made her acting debut on Nickelodeon’s sitcom Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn in 2015 and returned for an episode in January 2017. That same year, she walked the Polo Ralph Lauren runway in New York City and appeared in a Glamour Magazine ad campaign video.
Mackenzie Ziegler Career
Early Career (2011–2016)
Ziegler appeared on Dance Moms for six seasons from 2011 through 2016, becoming one of the show’s most recognizable young dancers. In addition to Dance Moms, she appeared on the sister shows Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition and Abby’s Studio Rescue. Her performances helped her build a dedicated fan base that would follow her into her subsequent entertainment ventures.
During this period, Ziegler expanded into fashion by releasing The Maddie and Mackenzie Collection with her sister through Mod Angel in 2014. She also began modeling, becoming the face of Polo Ralph Lauren’s children’s spring 2016 collection and Clean and Clear’s fall back-to-school campaign.
Breakthrough (2016–2023)
In November 2016, Ziegler released her first single under her full name, a duet with singer Johnny Orlando titled Day and Night. The duet’s music video was released on December 21, 2016, and has been viewed more than 25 million times. From 2017 to 2018, Ziegler and Orlando presented their Day and Night Tour throughout North America and the United Kingdom.
Ziegler released a self-help book in May 2018 titled Kenzie’s Rules for Life: How to be Happy, Healthy, and Dance to Your Own Beat. The book ranked number seven on the Publishers Weekly best-seller list for juvenile non-fiction. That same year, she launched her own cosmetics line Love, Kenzie and competed on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, reaching the finals.
From 2018 to 2020, Ziegler starred as Cassie in the high school drama series Total Eclipse on the Brat TV digital network. She was an executive producer for the show and also co-starred as the same character in the film Brat Holiday Spectacular in 2018.
Notable Works and Milestones
Ziegler released her second studio album Phases on November 20, 2018. One of the singles on the album, Wonderful, was written by Sia, and Ziegler premiered the song on Dancing with the Stars. She later duetted with Sia on her song Exhale, released in June 2020. In 2020 to 2021, Ziegler competed on The Masked Dancer as Tulip, finishing in third place.
Recent Work (2024–Present)
Ziegler released her third album Biting My Tongue on July 26, 2024, which she described as a form of therapy. From October 2024 to May 2025, she opened for Mark Ambor on his Rockwood tour. In 2023, she and her sister launched a back-to-school fashion collection with American Eagle Outfitters.
Mackenzie Ziegler Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Ziegler has received recognition across multiple platforms. She was nominated for various awards related to her work in music, television, and social media influence.
Mackenzie Ziegler Awards Won
Ziegler won the 2018 Teen Choice Award for Choice Muser, recognizing her impact as a social media personality and content creator.
Mackenzie Ziegler Family
Mackenzie Frances Ziegler is the daughter of Kurt Ziegler and Melissa Ziegler-Gisoni. Her older sister is Maddie Ziegler, who is also a dancer and actress. The sisters have maintained a close professional relationship throughout their careers, often collaborating on projects including fashion collections, dance workshops, and television appearances.
Personal Life
Ziegler was in a relationship with Tacoda Dubbs from August 2020 through late 2023. She maintains residences in the United States and continues to reside in Pennsylvania.