Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Dance Mom’s Lilliana Ketchman

Lilliana “Lilly” Ketchman has been dancing her entire life. The child prodigy caught the attention of Dance Moms‘ Abby Miller, who requested and submitted Lilly’s audition video to the show’s producers. She would go on to be invited to join the show’s “mini” team, and the rest is history. Pop Culturalist caught up with Lilliana to chat about the new season of Dance Moms.

PC: Tell us about the new season of Dance Moms and how you initially got cast in the show.
Lilly: When the show started a new “mini” team, I actually didn’t audition. I was seven-years-old, and the audition was all the way in Los Angeles. At the time, I was living in North Carolina, so I thought it was a crazy thing to do! However, a few months later, Abby started following me on Instagram and eventually asked me to send her some specific dance videos. She sent the videos to the producers, and that’s how I got cast on the show!

PC: We read that you grew up doing dance and gymnastics. How difficult was the decision to focus solely on dance?
Lilly: When I was about to turn five, I was offered to be on the “team” at both my dance studio and my gym, so I had to choose at that young age which I wanted to do more. I think I made the right decision with dance!

PC: How did you discover your passion for dance?
Lilly: My mom put me in dance class at two-years-old, so it’s not like I was asking to go. [laughs] But, I loved it! My first solo was at the age of five and once I hit that stage, I never wanted to go back!

PC: What is your favorite dance style? Which is the most challenging?
Lilly: My favorites are ballet and contemporary. The most challenging is definitely ballet. There is only one way to do things right…and it’s not easy. It’s not open for interpretation, either. It’s also the most valuable to me, because ballet training helps you in all aspects and genres of dance. If your technique is good, then you are free to fully express yourself and experiment with your dancing.

PC: If you could collaborate with any other dancer/choreographer, who would it be and why?
Lilly: I would love to collaborate or just travel the world with Dusty Button. To me, she is perfection and I could learn forever from her!

PC: What’s been the biggest lesson that dance has taught you?
Lilly: Dance has taught me so many lessons! I have learned that life is not easy, but that doesn’t mean that it is bad! The harder you work for something, the more you appreciate it when you get it!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Lilly: The Good Place

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Lilly: Any Barbie movie

PC: Favorite book?
Lilly: I Funny by James Patterson

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Lilly: The Prom

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Lilly: Salt-N-Pepa

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Lilly: Backstage

PC: Hidden talent?
Lilly: I can sing!

To keep up with Lilly, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and catch the new season of Dance Moms airing now on Lifetime.

Photo Credit: Stacey K Photography