If you were glued to Lifetime back in the early 2010s, you definitely remember the "Candy Apples" era. It was peak chaos. Amidst all the yelling between Abby Lee Miller and Cathy Nesbitt-Stein, a few dancers actually managed to stand out for their talent rather than just the drama. One of those kids was Zack Torres.
Back then, Zack was the standout "secret weapon" for the Ohio-based Candy Apple’s Dance Center. They were technically proficient, graceful, and—honestly—way more disciplined than the environment usually allowed. But if you’re still searching for "Zack Torres Dance Moms" to see what happened to that kid with the perfect turnout, you’re only getting half the story.
The person we saw on screen was just the beginning. Today, Lennon Torres (who many fans still associate with their birth name from the show) has completely redefined what it means to be a professional dancer in an industry that loves its rigid boxes.
The Reality TV Pressure Cooker
The jump to Dance Moms didn’t happen in a vacuum. Before the Candy Apples, there was Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC). Zackery was the first male-born contestant on that show.
It was intense.
Abby Lee Miller wasn't exactly known for her nuance. On national television, Zack was often told to "dance like a man" or to lose the "feminine" quality in their movement. Imagine being a teenager and having your innate movement style critiqued as a character flaw in front of millions of viewers. That stays with a person.
Eventually, the producers did what they do best: they manufactured a rivalry. Instead of putting Zack on Abby’s team—even though Abby had expressed interest—they shipped them off to Cathy’s team. Why? Because an "all-boy" team at Candy Apples made for better TV ratings. It gave Abby something to complain about, calling Cathy a "poacher," and it put Zack right in the crosshairs of the show’s most toxic dynamics.
Life After the Candy Apples
Once the cameras stopped rolling, a lot of the Dance Moms kids just... disappeared. Or they tried to become pop stars. Zack took a different route. They went to school.
And not just any school.
Zack headed to the University of Southern California (USC) to attend the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. If you know anything about the dance world, you know that’s basically the Harvard of contemporary dance. It’s rigorous. It’s elite.
It was during this time at USC that the "Zack Torres" the world knew started to evolve. In a collegiate environment, away from the scripted "dance like a man" critiques of reality TV, they began to explore their gender identity.
Coming Out and Changing the Game
In 2020, Lennon (then still going by Zackery) came out as non-binary. Later, she shared her journey of transitioning, noting that her pronouns are she/they. It wasn’t just a personal milestone; it became a professional mission.
Lennon realized that the dance world is incredibly binary. You have "men’s" parts and "women’s" parts. You have "masculine" jumps and "feminine" lines. Having lived through the Dance Moms experience where those lines were enforced with a megaphone, she decided to write the literal book on how to fix it.
She published An Evolving Conversation on Gender: Dance Edition. It’s a guidebook. It’s not a "tell-all" about Abby Lee Miller’s favorite snacks—it’s a serious look at how dance teachers can use inclusive language and how studios can stop forcing kids into gendered boxes.
Where is Lennon (Zack) Torres Now?
By 2026, the transformation from a reality TV "character" to a legitimate industry leader is complete. Lennon has managed to balance a Master’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising from USC with a professional dance career.
She isn't just "that kid from the Cathy episodes" anymore. She is:
- A published author and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the arts.
- A BFA graduate from one of the most prestigious dance conservatories in the world.
- A consultant for dance studios looking to modernize their curriculum.
Honestly, it’s one of the most successful "post-show" pivots in the franchise's history. While other cast members are still rehashing decade-old drama on podcasts, Lennon used that platform to launch a career that actually changes how people experience dance.
The Takeaway for Fans
If you’re looking back at those old Season 3 episodes, it’s worth watching with a fresh set of eyes. You aren’t just watching a kid try to win a plastic trophy; you’re watching a world-class artist navigate an environment that wasn't built for them.
The "Zack Torres Dance Moms" era was a stepping stone, but it was also a lesson in resilience.
Actionable Insights for Dancers and Fans:
- Respect the Evolution: When searching for updates, use the name Lennon. It’s about respecting the artist's journey.
- Look Beyond the Edit: Reality TV edits people to fit archetypes. The "technical ringer" on Cathy’s team was always much more than a prop for the Abby/Cathy feud.
- Support Inclusive Arts: If you’re a dance parent or teacher, look into Lennon’s guidebook. The industry is changing, and the "old school" way of gendering movement is becoming obsolete.
- Education Matters: Lennon’s path proves that even with reality TV fame, a solid educational foundation (like a BFA or MA) provides a longevity that "clout" simply cannot buy.
The dance world is better for having people who survived the "Abby Lee Miller" school of thought and came out the other side wanting to make the studio a kinder, more inclusive place.
