You remember the pink-themed set of Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC). The tension was thick enough to cut with a pair of character shoes. Back in 2012, when the show first hit Lifetime, we were introduced to a standout talent named Zackery Torres.
They were 13. They had incredible feet. They also had the distinction of being the first male-born contestant on a show dominated by "dance moms" and tutus. But if you’re still thinking of Zack as just "that kid from Season 1," you’ve missed a massive transformation. Meanwhile, you can read other stories here: The Brutal Truth Behind the Summer Box Office Mirage.
Honestly, the reality TV world of the early 2010s wasn’t exactly a safe space for gender exploration. We watched Abby Lee Miller and the other judges—Richy Jackson and Robin Antin—push for "masculinity" in a way that feels pretty dated by today’s standards.
The AUDC Pressure Cooker
Zackery Torres finished in 9th place on AUDC. It wasn’t a win, but it was enough to catch the eye of producers for Dance Moms. Joining Cathy Nesbitt-Stein’s Candy Apples team meant more screen time, more drama, and unfortunately, more pressure to fit a specific mold. To see the bigger picture, we recommend the excellent article by Entertainment Weekly.
Zackery later opened up about how "detrimental" those years were. Imagine being a teenager on national television and having world-renowned choreographers tell you you’re "too feminine." It’s a lot. You’ve got cameras in your face while you're trying to figure out who you are.
Moving Beyond the Lifetime Universe
Life didn't stop when the cameras stopped rolling. Zackery didn't just fade into the background like some reality stars do. They doubled down on the work.
- Higher Education: They headed to the University of Southern California (USC).
- Specialization: They didn't just "take classes"; they joined the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.
- The Pivot: While at USC, they started seeing the dance world through a different lens.
During their sophomore year, everything shifted. Zackery came out as non-binary. Later, in 2021, they shared a major life update on TikTok: "I’m transitioning."
Today, they go by Lennon Torres (pronouns they/she).
Why Lennon Torres is Changing the Industry
Lennon isn't just a performer anymore; she’s an advocate. She realized that the "pink and blue" boxes of the dance world—men do the jumps, women do the pointework—were stifling.
She founded Continuum Community. It’s basically a resource hub for gender inclusion in the arts. She even wrote a book called An Evolving Conversation on Gender: Dance Edition.
Real Impact in 2026
We’re currently seeing the fruits of this labor. In 2026, the dance community is slowly—sometimes painfully slowly—moving away from gendered requirements in competitions and auditions. Lennon was one of the first voices from that reality TV era to say, "Hey, this system is broken."
Lennon has been vocal about some of the darker behind-the-scenes moments from the Abby Lee Miller era. There were claims of bullying and comments that never made it to air. It’s a reminder that the "entertainment" we watched as kids had a real human cost.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often ask, "Whatever happened to that boy from AUDC?"
The answer is that he grew into a woman who is teaching the next generation how to be themselves. It's not just a "where are they now" story. It’s a "how they changed the world" story.
Lennon’s career now spans across advertising, public relations, and high-level dance consulting. She’s proof that you can survive the reality TV meat grinder and come out the other side with your integrity intact.
Actionable Insights for the Dance Community
If you’re a teacher, studio owner, or just a fan of the art form, there are things you can do right now to honor the path Lennon started:
- Audit Your Language: Stop saying "boys and girls" in the studio. Use "dancers" or "everyone."
- Evaluate Dress Codes: Does a dancer really need to wear a leotard to learn a pirouette? Usually, the answer is no.
- Support Inclusive Orgs: Look into the work being done by Continuum Community.
The legacy of Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition isn't the $100,000 prize or the Joffrey scholarship. It’s the dancers like Lennon Torres who took the platform they were given and used it to build a door for everyone else.
If you want to keep up with her journey, she's still active on social media, often sharing the "real" side of transitioning and the ongoing work of making the arts a safer space for everyone.
