If you spent any time watching the chaotic, high-stress world of Dance Moms or Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC) back in the day, you definitely remember the kid who could out-pirouette almost anyone in the room. Zackery Torres—who many fans simply knew as Zack—was a standout performer. But while the cameras were focused on the arched feet and the "Candy Apple" rivalry, a much more complex story was unfolding behind the scenes.
Honestly, the reality TV edit rarely shows the full human. You saw a talented "boy" dancer navigating Cathy Nesbitt-Stein’s eccentric coaching. You didn't see the internal struggle of a young person being forced into a very specific, very gendered box.
Today, life looks a lot different for Lennon (the name they go by now). The transition from reality TV star to a leading advocate for gender inclusivity in the arts wasn't just a career shift; it was a survival tactic.
The Reality TV Pressure Cooker
Most people first met Zackery Torres on the first season of AUDC in 2012. Being the only "male-born" contestant on that season put a massive spotlight on them. It wasn't just about the dancing. It was about the expectations.
Teachers and choreographers on national television would constantly tell them to "dance like a man" or complain that they were "too feminine." Imagine being 13 years old and having your inherent way of moving criticized as a character flaw in front of millions of viewers. Lennon has since opened up about how "detrimental" those moments were.
They weren't just critiques of a dance step; they were critiques of their identity.
After AUDC, the move to Cathy’s Candy Apples on Dance Moms felt like a natural progression for the show's narrative, but for Lennon, it was more of the same. The environment was competitive, sure, but it was also incredibly rigid. Looking back, Lennon has mentioned that Abby Lee Miller once made a comment so heinous—allegedly calling them a "pedophile" after a performance—that it left deep scars, even if it never made it to the final cut of the show.
Beyond the Candy Apples: A Life Redefined
Once the glitter settled and the cameras stopped rolling, Lennon didn't just fade into the background. They did something most reality stars struggle with: they excelled in the real world of professional dance.
They ended up at the University of Southern California (USC), specifically the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. If you know anything about dance, you know that’s basically the Ivy League of the dance world. It’s prestigious, and it’s incredibly hard to get into.
It was during their sophomore year at USC that things really started to click. Away from the toxic "dance dad" and "dance mom" tropes of Pittsburgh and Ohio, Lennon found the space to breathe.
In May 2021, just as they were graduating from USC with a BFA in Dance, Lennon shared a major life update on TikTok. They came out as transgender and non-binary, announcing their transition and their pronouns as they/she.
"I realized I haven’t posted on TikTok anything of myself since like December and, life update, I’m transitioning!"
That video went viral almost instantly. It wasn't just a "where are they now" moment; it was a "who are they now" moment.
The Shift to Advocacy
Lennon didn't just stop at personal transition. They realized the dance world, as a whole, was pretty broken when it came to gender. If you've ever been in a ballet class, you know it’s usually "girls in pink tights, boys in black leggings." There isn't much room for the "in-between."
To fix this, Lennon founded Continuum Community. It’s basically an organization focused on gender inclusion within the arts. They also wrote a book called An Evolving Conversation on Gender: Dance Edition.
It’s a guidebook. It’s meant for studio owners and teachers who want to be better but don't know how. It’s about making sure the next 13-year-old on a stage doesn't get told their movement is "too feminine" to be valuable.
What Is Lennon Doing in 2026?
If you're looking for Lennon today, you won't find them on a reality TV stage. They’ve moved into the world of high-level communication and strategy.
After finishing that BFA at USC, they didn't slow down. They pursued a Master’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising. They’ve basically become a powerhouse of advocacy, using their platform to talk about how Big Tech affects queer kids and how the dance industry needs to protect its youngest performers.
Interestingly, there is often confusion online with a country singer also named Zach Torres. Don't get them mixed up! While the singer is touring the 2026 folk scene, our Dance Moms alum is busy rewriting the rules of the dance industry from the inside out.
Real Talk: Why It Matters
A lot of people dismiss Dance Moms as trashy TV. And yeah, the screaming matches were a lot. But for the kids involved, it was their actual childhood.
Lennon’s journey is a blueprint for how to reclaim your narrative. They took a situation where they were essentially a "character" in a manufactured drama and turned it into a career based on authenticity.
Common misconceptions about Zackery (Lennon) Torres:
- "They quit dancing." Not true. They trained at one of the best schools in the country and still work within the dance community, just more on the systemic and advocacy side.
- "The transition was sudden." Lennon has explained it was a long process of unlearning the "male dancer" expectations forced on them since childhood.
- "They hate their time on the show." While they’ve been honest about the "crazy" and "detrimental" moments, they also acknowledge the amazing people they met along the way.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Dancers
If you’re a fan of the show or a dancer yourself, there’s a lot to learn from Lennon’s trajectory. Identity isn't static, and your "edit" doesn't define you.
- Support Inclusive Spaces: If you're a parent or a student, look for studios that use gender-neutral language and inclusive dress codes.
- Educate Yourself: Check out Lennon's book, An Evolving Conversation on Gender, to understand why the binary in dance can be so harmful.
- Follow the Journey: Lennon is active on platforms like Substack and Instagram (under @zackery_torres), where they provide deep dives into the intersection of tech, queer identity, and the arts.
To really support the "Dance Moms" alumni who have moved on, the best thing you can do is respect their current identities. Using Lennon’s correct pronouns (they/she) and acknowledging their work as an advocate is how you show you're a fan of the person, not just the kid you saw on TV a decade ago.
Start by checking out the Continuum Community resources if you're involved in the arts; it's the most direct way to see the impact Lennon is making right now.
