The Maddie Diaries Page 13
Today Is a Beautiful Day to . . .
Be grateful. Most of us don’t usually think of what we’re thankful for unless it’s Thanksgiving and someone is passing the turkey and stuffing. Today, make yourself a list—a long list—of all the wonderful things and people in your life. Then, when you’re feeling down in the future, take it out and remind yourself how good you’ve got it. My mom always says, “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” Don’t wait for that time; appreciate what you have right now. And be generous with your heart, your time, and your resources. Every year, me, my mom, and Kenzie buy gifts for this amazing organization, Baby2Baby (baby2baby.org). They provide low-income children from birth to twelve years with diapers, clothing, and all the basic necessities that every child deserves. So we went to Toys “R” Us to help them stock up on toys and goodies to give the kids for Christmas. We went with our friends Jane and Lilia and filled up six carts—190 gifts total. If we had more room in our cars we probably would have gotten even more. We’ve made it a holiday tradition, and we love not just buying the toys but actually going and handing them out. There is nothing like a little kid’s face lighting up when they tear open a present. It reminds me what Christmas is all about.
Personalize your popcorn! Make family movie night extra fun and flavorful with some cool toppings for your kernels.
Cheesy pop: Toss 15 cups hot popcorn with 1 cup shredded cheddar, and 1/2 cup each grated parmesan and grated pecorino. Spread on baking sheets and bake at 350 degrees until the cheddar melts (about three minutes). Season with salt.
Nutty pop: Heat 1 cup honey and 3/4 cup sugar over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about five minutes. Stir in 1 cup peanut butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour over 15 cups hot popcorn and toss in 1 cup peanuts.
Cookies-and-cream pop: Combine 10 ounces of white chocolate and 2 tablespoons coconut oil in a small saucepan and melt over low heat, stirring constantly. Drizzle the melted chocolate over popcorn, then top with 12 crushed Oreos.
It would be a lot of fun to have a crystal ball that would let me look into the future and see what’s in store. I’m not a huge fan of surprises; I’d rather know what’s coming down the road so I can make plans and be prepared—that’s just me. My mom says I like to have my ducks in a row. But I know you can’t always know what direction your life will take you in. If you asked me three years ago, I never would have predicted I’d be touring the country with Sia, judging SYTYCD, or launching a clothing line. I wouldn’t have done anything differently—it’s all been an amazing journey so far—and I’m really grateful for every moment, even the tough or frustrating ones. They’ve all gotten me to where I am now, and I love my life. But as for the road ahead, it would be nice to have a hint or two. Maybe a sneak peek of what my home or husband will look like? A glimpse at how my career will evolve? I have some ideas, though . . .
Five years from now, I know I will be living in L.A. full-time. I see myself in a big apartment, with an extra bedroom in case Kenzie or some friends want to visit, a fabulous kitchen (not that I cook, but it’s a nice idea!), and lots and lots of closets. A pool would also be nice so I can chill on a lounge chair and soak up the sun. I’ll be driving by then, probably a cute SUV so I can roll the top down and cruise through Hollywood. But I’d really like to live close to some great shopping and restaurants so we can kind of walk over whenever the urge hits. I might have a boyfriend then, and a real acting career. I see myself reading lots of scripts and being really smart and choosy about the roles I take on—only things that really speak to me and challenge me as an actress. I know I’ll also be doing more and more with Sia—concerts, videos, movies. We’re a permanent part of each other’s lives. I think I’ll have a dog of my own because Kenzie would never part with Maliboo.
By then, Kenzie will be a huge pop star, playing to sold-out crowds at the Staples Center, and I better get free tickets, and I don’t mean in the nosebleeds. I could also see her as a Nickelodeon star. Either way, she better not forget her big sis.
Ten years from now, I’ll be twenty-four, so I’d like to have a real home on the West Coast—a house with a garden, a pool, a backyard, maybe a screening room and dance studio built right into it. I’m pretty practical: I know a dancer’s career is very short-lived. Your body just can’t take it forever. So when dance stops being something I can or want to do every day, I’ll have my acting, but I also might choreograph, like Travis Wall does—maybe even a routine or two for SYTYCD. But I honestly think movies will be my main thing—I just feel myself being pulled in that direction. I expect to be starring in a feature film that will win me an Oscar. I’ll also be filming a horror movie: I won’t play the victim or kill anyone, but I’ll scream my head off and be the character who escapes the creepy guy with the clown mask and buzz saw. Kenzie won’t be at that premiere; she hates horror movies.
I’d love to work with the two Jennifers—Aniston and Lawrence—and Anne Hathaway. What I love about all of them is that they constantly push their boundaries when it comes to their careers. They do it all: drama, action, comedy—even, in Anne’s case, musicals. I want to be an actress who’s that versatile and fearless—someone who keeps you guessing what her next project will be.
I want to also be someone who gives back in a big way. Angelina Jolie is someone who really inspires me. She’s so smart and generous and a voice for awareness and positive change. She’s a great humanitarian, and that’s something I’d like people to recognize me for as well. I’d like to travel the world, not just to see the beautiful, exciting places, but also to see how other people live and how we can help and what needs fixing. I could see myself working with an organization like UNICEF, working to help people build houses and schools, and to provide food and clean water. I want to continue to work hard to raise money to find a cure for cancer, and I have a feeling that we will see that happen in my lifetime.
I think about college, but I’m not sure if or when I would go. You never know; I might take a few years off, then decide it’s time. Zac Efron was all ready to go to college—then he got the role in 17 Again, so I guess, like him, I’d have to play it by ear and see what comes along. I do know that I will always be someone who loves reading, writing, and learning. Whether I’m in a classroom or not, that’s not going to change. I’m really curious, and I like to know how and why things work. I’m a thinker, and that’s never gonna change. By thirty, I see myself penning several best-sellers and a book series that’s made into its own hit TV show—like Gossip Girl!
Broadway used to be a goal for me, but now, not so much. I also used to think it would be really fun to be a Rockette, too. I think those were little-girl goals and dreams. The ones I have for myself now are based more on reality—the directions I’ve been going in, and what excites me. I used to want to live in New York City, but now I’m an L.A. girl all the way. I love the weather, the energy, the creativity out here. I see myself in the center of all that, being creative and brave in my choices, a lot like Sia is. I’d love to have a clothing line that’s the hit of New York Fashion Week and a makeup brand that every woman wants to wear.
If you ask me to look twenty or thirty years down the road, I’m a mom with kids doing what my mom did for me—supporting their dreams, believing in them with all my heart, and telling them to never stop being who they are, because that’s what makes them so special. At this point, my mom loves being a granny (she spoils my three kids rotten), but she still dyes her hair and looks like she’s a teenager. Auntie Kenzie is a lot of fun, and they beg to sleep over and hang with her. I see a few acting awards on my shelf—maybe an Emmy or an Oscar, and definitely a star on the Walk of Fame, a Vanity Fair or Vogue cover before I’m fifty . . .
A girl can dream, can’t she?
Madison Nicole Ziegler. Wasn’t I cute?
An Easter surprise!
Mom, me, and Kenzie.
I ♥ Kenzie so much.
Easter.
Look how far we’ve come!
My first tap costume.
Always leaping.
I’ve worn some crazy costumes over the years.
All in a day’s work!
I was always performing . . .
And sometimes it paid off!
Sunshine and Lollipops.
We love having fun.
I was such a little nugget, lol.
Kennywood for Gin’s birthday.
Kalani always supports me.
I’ve always loved animals.
Amazing memories that I will never forget.
My girls.
My favs.
Kristen was so much fun!!
Jimmy Kimmel performance!
Me and Steph in New Orleans! We took so many pics that day!
Rehearsal for DWTS with Allison and Ryan! Love them both.
My fav pic of us! She’s so gorgeous.
The night I put rainbow tears on Tonya!
The most amazing Travis Wall.
The beautiful Bella and me at the Zac Posen show!
Dinner with Kate Moss and her daughter in England.
Katy Perry at the VMAs!
Me and JLo matching in our silver, lol.
Tough day at work.
The time I met the nicest woman, Gwen!
One of the best days ever! Ahhh can’t believe I won a surfboard.
Love the Houghs!
Great night at the Dizzy Feet Gala.
Met superstar Laurie Hernandez at CBS!
My SYTYCD family. Such an amazing group of people.
With the beautiful Naomi Watts while we were filming The Book of Henry!
Teaching my little bro Jacob Tremblay how to do a split :)
Millie Bobby Brown and me at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
One of our traditions before every show.
Greatest selfie ever, Mom.
I had such an amazing time touring with Sia in 2016.
Some of the best times of my life!
Acknowledgments
Writing a book is a lot different than doing a solo. But just like any performance, I couldn’t have done it without so much help from so many people.
First, thank you to Sharon Jackson, Mel Berger, Jenni Levine, Erin O’Brien, Joe Izzi, Danielle Shebby, and everyone at WME for believing that a fourteen-year-old had enough to say to fill a book and for everything you’ve done to help me pursue so many of my dreams.
Natasha Simons, thank you for being such an awesome editor and making this book so great! I loved working on it with you every step of the way. Thank you as well to Jen Bergstrom, Jen Long, Jen Robinson, Stephanie DeLuca, and everyone at Gallery Books and Simon & Schuster for all their help and hard work.
Thank you to Sheryl Berk for helping me put my thoughts together so clearly, while never telling me what to say. Without you, I would have a great diary but not a book.
To all my friends, thank you for always supporting me and being there for me. I love you guys so so so much.
To the ALDC, Lifetime, and Collins Avenue, thank you for giving me the opportunity to do what I love in front of so many people. I know I would never have had so many of the opportunities I have today if Dance Moms had never happened.
Kelly-Marie Smith, thank you for always being there for me and always making me laugh.
Rachel Rothman, you believed in me from the start and I can’t thank you enough for all your help, encouragement, advice, and support. You are just the best!
Thank you to Scott Whitehead, and everyone at McKuin Frankel Whitehead, for all your wise legal advice and attention to detail.
Jane, you’re like my second mom. I love being with you and Jack and Lilia. You make L.A. feel like home. I love you.
Sia, you’ve helped show me how to be the person I want to be, not the person everyone else wants me to be. I think there is no greater gift than that. Thank you, I love you.
Kenzie, I love you so much. You are the best little sister. You have so much talent and so much love and I feel really lucky to have you by my side.
Gregga, you teach me, you drive me, you put up with all of us. I love you, you make us a family.
Mom, there is no one person in the world who knows me, loves me, or supports me like you. I don't know how I got so lucky to have you as my mom but I'm so glad I did. Thank you for everything you do because you do so much. I love you so much.
And finally, to everyone who has ever watched me, come out to meet me, supported me, or paid to buy this book, thank you for helping me continue to do what I love so much. I am so grateful to get to share my thoughts and my feelings. I hope it helps inspire someone, teach someone, or make someone feel a little more understood, because even though I’m just a teenager, I promise I’m really a lot like you, too. So thank you. I love you.
Madison Nicole Ziegler, born in Pittsburgh, is an award-winning professional dancer, actress, and fashion designer. She starred in Lifetime’s Dance Moms for six seasons and has starred in numerous music videos for pop singer/songwriter Sia, including the critically acclaimed “Chandelier” video. Maddie was also a judge on So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation, lent her voice to the Weinsteins’ animated feature Ballerina, and stars in Focus Features’s The Book of Henry.
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Photo Credits
© Abby Lee Dance Company: Insert 1, pgs. 3 (middle), 5, 6, 7, 10
© Glenn Nutley Insert 2, pg. 1
All other photos courtesy of the author.
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First Gallery Books hardcover edition March 2017
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Interior design by Jaime Putorti
Jacket design by John Vairo Jr.
Jacket photographs by Koury Angelo
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
ISBN 978-1-5011-5066-1
ISBN 978-1-5011-5068-5 (ebook)