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Melissa Ziegler-Gisoni Bio
Biographical Information
Gender: Female
Born: June 13 [1][2]
Height: 5' 4" (estimated)
Friends and Family
Spouse: Kurt Ziegler (ex-husband)
Greg Gisoni (husband)
Children: Maddie Ziegler (daughter)
Mackenzie Ziegler (daughter)
Friends: Holly Frazier
Kelly Hyland
Christi Lukasiak
Cathy Stein
Jill Vertes
Gianna Martello
Pets: Molly (dog)
Maliboo (dog)
Episode Run
Debut: The Competition Begins
“ I'm a doormat. ”
Melissa Ziegler-Gisoni is the mother of Maddie Ziegler and Mackenzie Ziegler. She is good friends with Abby Lee Miller, owner of the Abby Lee Dance Company.
Maddie and Mackenzie are favored over the rest of the girls at the Abby Lee Dance Company because Maddie is the "best" and because Melissa works at the front desk for free to pay for her dance bills, but she claims in Night of the Living Dancers that she stopped working at Abby's. Melissa is not very well-liked by the other moms.
Melissa used to be married to Maddie and Mackenzie's father, Kurt Ziegler, but they got divorced because Kurt says that dance ruined their marriage.
Quotes
“ I think [Maddie] is the best dancer in our studio. ”
—Melissa, in "The Competition Begins"
“ While Maddie was rehearsing, there was a little girl practicing as well, about ten feet away from her. Her name is Juliana and we've seen her at other competitions. A lot of people think that Juliana is Maddie's big competition. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a sweet girl and a great little dancer, but Maddie has no competition. ”
—Melissa, in "Love on the Dance Floor"
“ I like to keep my private life private. ”
—'
“ Christi is jealous of my nine-year-old daughter and I think it's ridiculous. ”
—'
“ Justice is on stage, and he is cuter than a button. ”
—Melissa, in "Melissa Pleads the Fifth"
“ '@SandraMak: @dancemom1313 @lifetimetv This whole lawsuit thing is scripted..' Do you think? Lol #dancemoms ”
—Melissa, on Twitter, concerning the letters sent to the other moms in "Melissa Pleads the Fifth"
“ She talks about sex like it's nothing, but apparently marriage is taboo. I thought is was backwards! ”
—comment about Melissa, from "Melissa Pleads the Fifth"
“ My ex-to-be claims that dance has ruined our marriage. ”
—Melissa, from "The Competition Begins"
Trivia
She is often called a "second mom" by people from Abby's studio.
Shopping and chocolate are guilty pleasures of hers.
Her daughters' solo music and Disney songs are on her iPod.
Her most memorable Valentine's Day was when she got cards from her girls.
Her biggest regret is not going to college.
She wants her daughters to go on Broadway and go to college.
There is a room in her house called "The Store" that has all of Mackenzie and Maddie's dance items.
Durin
Other information
She is often called a "second mom" by people from Abby's studio.
Shopping and chocolate are guilty pleasures of hers.
Her daughters' solo music and Disney songs are on her iPod.
Her most memorable Valentine's Day was when she got cards from her girls.
Her biggest regret is not going to college.
She wants her daughters to go on Broadway and go to college.
There is a room in her house called "The Store" that has all of Mackenzie and Maddie's dance items.
During a Season 2 extra, Melissa said they don't often use their kitchen, adding that their schedule has them dancing six nights a week.
Out of all the moms, she is the closest with Jill Vertes and Holly Frazier.
Melissa, along with several other members of the Dance Moms cast, appeared in Todrick Hall's video "Freaks Like Me." It was released on July 3rd, 2014. The music video can be seen in full here.
In a Season 2 extra, Melissa said they don't often use their kitchen, adding that their schedule has them dancing six nights a week.
Out of all the moms, she is the closest with Jill Vertes and Holly Frazier.
Melissa, along with several other members of the Dance Moms cast, appeared in Todrick Hall's video "Freaks Like Me." It was released on July 3rd, 2014.
Want to learn more about Melissa Gisoni?
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