5 Powerful Facts About Zackery Torres: The Dance Moms Star Who Is Reshaping The Dance World
Zackery Torres, a name synonymous with powerhouse dancing on the competitive reality TV circuit, has evolved far beyond their early days on Dance Moms. As of December 2025, the dynamic artist and advocate is making significant waves, not just with their choreography, but with their influential work promoting gender inclusivity and acceptance within the traditionally rigid dance community.
The journey from a young, high-achieving male dancer on reality television to a prominent transgender advocate has been a public and deeply personal one. This article delves into the most current and essential facts about Zackery Torres, highlighting their career milestones, their brave transition, and their ongoing mission to reform the dance world for the better.
Zackery Torres: Complete Biography and Profile
Zackery Torres’s life has been a compelling blend of rigorous artistic training and profound personal growth, culminating in their current role as a leader in the LGBTQ+ community. Their unique story is a testament to embracing one's authentic self, even under the intense scrutiny of the public eye.
- Full Name: Zackery Torres
- Identity: Transgender
- Pronouns: They/She
- Approximate Age (as of Dec 2025): 26 years old (Born circa 1999)
- Hometown/Origin: Phoenix, Arizona
- Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance from the University of Southern California (USC), Glorya Kaufman School of Dance (Class of 2021)
- Reality TV Appearances: Dance Moms (Seasons 2, 3, and 4), Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition
- Key Career Focus (2025): Artist, Choreographer, and Advocate for gender-inclusive spaces in the arts, particularly the dance world.
1. The Brave Transition Announcement That Went Viral
One of the most defining moments in Zackery Torres’s public life came on May 31, 2021, just before the start of Pride Month, when they took to the social media platform TikTok to share a major life update. Zackery candidly announced that they were in the process of transitioning. This announcement instantly went viral, becoming a major trending story and sparking widespread support from fans and the wider LGBTQ+ community.
This public reveal was a powerful declaration of their gender identity. Zackery adopted the they/she pronouns, signaling a commitment to living authentically after years of navigating the competitive dance scene as a preteen. The vulnerability shown in the announcement resonated with millions, turning the former reality star into a highly visible advocate for transgender visibility and acceptance.
Their experience highlighted the internal struggles of forming one's identity while being a public figure. Zackery has since used their platform to discuss the nuances of their transition journey, including medical roadblocks and the emotional weight of living as their full self.
2. Life After the ALDC: A BFA from USC and Academic Excellence
While many *Dance Moms* alumni continue to focus solely on commercial dance or acting careers, Zackery Torres prioritized higher education and artistic development. They enrolled at the prestigious University of Southern California (USC), specifically the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.
Attending USC represented the best of both worlds for Zackery: a conservatory-style dance education integrated within a major university setting. They successfully earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in 2021. The rigorous program at USC Kaufman allowed Zackery to deepen their technical skills in various styles while also exploring the academic and theoretical aspects of dance. This educational background has provided a strong foundation for their subsequent work as an artist and intellectual advocate.
3. The Shocking Truth About Bullying on Reality Television
Zackery’s time on reality television was not without its challenges. They were a standout male dancer on both *Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition* (AUDC) and later on *Dance Moms*, often competing against star dancers like Maddie Ziegler and Chloe Lukasiak. However, Zackery has been candid about the negative environment they experienced.
They revealed that they faced significant bullying while filming the Lifetime show. This torment stemmed from their gender expression and identity, which, as a preteen, was already a confusing and difficult thing to navigate. The competitive dance world, particularly under the intense pressure of reality TV, often enforced strict gender roles, which Zackery found stifling. This early exposure to the toxicity of the competitive dance scene is what ultimately fueled their passion for advocacy later in life, aiming to create safer and more inclusive spaces for future generations of dancers.
4. Leading the Charge for Gender Inclusivity in Dance (2025 Focus)
The core of Zackery Torres’s professional life in 2025 is their work as a dynamic advocate for gender inclusivity in the arts. They recognize that the dance community—from ballet to contemporary—is often steeped in binary and outdated gender expectations, such as strict male/female costuming and role assignments.
Zackery is actively working to challenge these norms, using their voice to push for reform. Their goal is to reshape the dance world to be more accepting and to provide better representation for the LGBTQ+ community. They speak openly about the need for allyship and for the community to "do better" in celebrating all identities. Their advocacy work extends beyond just speaking out; it involves collaborating with institutions and artists to implement tangible changes that make dance a welcoming space for all gender expressions.
5. An Artist and Advocate: What’s Next for Zackery Torres?
As an artist, Zackery Torres continues to explore choreography and performance, utilizing their extensive training from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. However, their artistic expression is now inextricably linked to their advocacy. Every project is viewed through the lens of creating social impact and promoting change.
Their current trajectory focuses on combining their passion for movement with their commitment to social justice. By leveraging their reality television fame and academic credentials, Zackery has positioned themself as an influential figure who can bridge the gap between mainstream entertainment and serious artistic reform. They are a powerful voice demonstrating that art and activism can, and should, coexist, ensuring that the legacy of "Zack Dance Moms" is one of profound and positive transformation.
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