Kendall Vertes is a dancer, singer, and actress who gained fame on “Dance Moms,” leveraging her talent and personality to build a career in entertainment and inspire people. Her collegiate years mark a shift from childhood reality-TV fame on “Dance Moms” to focusing on academics and broader personal development.
Looking back on your college journey, what were the most important lessons you learned that have shaped who you are today?
My college career is where I was really able to blossom into adulthood. College gave me the confidence to build strong relationships while also managing my own responsibilities. Of course, there were stressful days throughout each semester but it’s where I was able to find myself and navigate ways to cope with real-life stress by protecting my peace and building self-discipline.
As much as we hear that these are the best years of our lives, there are a lot of uncertainties, which is why I created Not So Little — to build a safe space for others to share how they navigated or are currently going through “these crossroads” in life.
How did you approach balancing academics with extracurriculars and athletics?
After my time on “Dance Moms,” I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue my dance career. My mom was a catalyst in me returning to some semblance of normalcy after the show. She is the one who pushed me to go to college and, more importantly, continue to dance competitively. Anything at the collegiate level is demanding, but as athletes, we are taught to persevere. In my junior year, James Madison University (JMU) Dance won the national championship!
Of course, everyone sees the accomplishments, but it is the day to day that can feel like a struggle. Coming home from long days at practice and finding the focus to study or finish a project is not easy, but this has helped me in my success after graduation. I continue to refine my preparation methods and have been lucky enough to be able to showcase these through my interviews on Not So Little and now my work with each of the major sports leagues that I am so proud of.
What role did mentorship and support, whether from professors, coaches, or peers, play in your college experience?
Support played a defining role in my college experience, especially from my family. They were my constant foundation, showing up to every home football game and even making it to basketball games, which meant more to me than I can fully express. Beyond that, they were always present day to day, checking in, keeping me grounded, and stepping in to help however they could, including proofreading my essays.
My dance team coach was another pivotal influence. She became a true mentor, showing me what it means to represent a collegiate program with integrity both on and off the field. She held us to a high standard across every aspect of our lives and pushed us to be the best versions of ourselves, not just for the team, but for who we are as individuals. Because of that support system, I never felt like I was navigating college alone. It kept me grounded and motivated in who I wanted to become.
I’m excited to step into a leadership role as a mentor for the Unwell University girls this spring semester. Having benefited from such strong guidance myself, it feels incredibly meaningful to now be in a position where I can offer that same support, encouragement, and perspective to young women as they navigate their own college experiences.
How did you prioritize your mental health and well-being while managing the demands of college life?
I was lucky enough to build a strong core of friends, and eventually roommates, around me for three years! They provided a safe space of support and allowed me to feel really comfortable. The people you surround yourself with truly change your outlook on life and can help you continue your growth as a person.
Coming up on “Dance Moms” really felt like I always had a microscope on me that at times was overwhelming. I find that taking a moment to be alone with my thoughts by taking a drive or a long walk really gives me a unique sense of security and allows me to have these internal dialogues that are important for me. Of course, it helps having such a supportive family that welcomes me with open arms whenever I truly need to get grounded with a weekend retreat.
And then there’s finals week — which I think every college student can agree is the most intense part of each semester. During that time, I really focused on taking things day by day and task by task instead of getting overwhelmed by the big picture. This allowed me to look at things in a more realistic bite-sized way rather than not having a clue of where to even start with so many assignments in a short period of time. I tried to stay present and focus on what I could do in the moment to get the outcome I wanted. It’s one tough week that demands your full attention, but once it’s over, you finally get that well-earned break.
For students who may feel overwhelmed by the college process, what advice would you give about finding the right fit?
The truth is college isn’t for everyone. Personally, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do after high school. With that said, I do believe that it was a great place to build some of my most cherished relationships that I will have my entire life. It is important to put yourself in situations that are outside of your comfort zone, because this is where you truly dig deep and find yourself.
My advice for anyone making the decision is that this is the only time that you will experience so many first-time things all at once. You and your classmates are all leaving home for the first time, living on your own for the first time and, in some cases, doing it entirely alone. There is no other place or time in your life that you can truly build the version of yourself and the life you want each day.
What does “being prepared” for college mean to you now, after having gone through the experience?
I don’t think you can ever be fully prepared for college, and that’s part of what makes the experience so valuable. Looking back, it’s really about learning independence, taking on responsibility, and figuring out how to do life on your own.
My best advice is instead of trying to have everything perfectly planned out, have an open mind, be willing to grow, and embrace everything that comes your way.
