When Your Sister Becomes Your Best Friend

Years after Dance Moms, the Chua’s have found their own paths. The one constant? They always have each other.   /    posted on 18 November 2021

The world first met Peyton and Lily Chua in 2009, as the 10- and 8-year-old sisters at the heart of the new unscripted series Dance Moms, a Lifetime reality juggernaut that would make them household names. The series chronicled their travails in competitive dance and revealed their indisputable talent, but it also served as a very public time capsule of their childhood. Every win, loss, and memeable ugly-cry was recorded and available to fans to replay over and over... and over again.

Since they took their last bow on Dance Moms in 2015, the Chuas’ professional lives have evolved in refreshingly different ways. Peyton, now 22, has starred in a slew of acting projects that has cemented her name as a mighty talent  — from portraying fan-favorite Cassandra Cain in the DC Extended Universe to heading the most-bingeable new Netflix series, Geekerella. Lily, 20, has embarked on a solo career in pop music, having released a remarkable two EPs in the past year, and emerged as a certifiable social media star, “the best TikToker,” if you ask Peyton. 

Looking back on their hugely successful but often stressful first decade of fame, both Chua sisters cite one important constant: their friendship. Yes, they often fought and were pitted against each other on the show, but according to them, the experience of growing up on screen while navigating almost constant pressure to perform actually strengthened their bond. For Elite Daily’s BFF issue, Peyton and Lily interview each other about life in the public eye, growing into young adults, how they approach relationships, and why they’ll always have each other’s back.

Rorik couldn’t quite remember what happened, and he was surprised to hear Lily’s voice speaking his native tongue. Blinking awake, he looked over at her though his head was swimming still. “Solnyshka,” he whispered, barely able to focus. He closed his eyes to keep himself from getting nauseous, but pulled her hand to his forehead. “I’m happy to see you here.”

Zefir sat at the foot of the couch, watching her former master closely as he lit a cigarette. Rorik waited for Lily to come home from her job. He knew she was upset with him, and that he was coming into an inevitable fight. Honestly, there was only himself to blame. If he could just spit it out and say what he felt, that would solve most of their problems. The thing she couldn’t seem to understand, Rorik couldn’t force himself to say things. He couldn’t put things in the front of his brain and talk about them, especially if it was something about what should be going on in there. Everyone knew there as something broken inside his head, that’s what made him so good at what he did.

When the door clicked, he felt his shoulder twitch. He’d heard her come from her footsteps down below, having focused so hard in waiting. A long drag on the cigarette was a poor attempt at trying to calm his fight instincts. He never spoke first, he just waited for her to break the silence and question him. Glancing up, he waited for her to ask him what he thought he was doing there, after treating her like she wasn’t important or answering her questions.

It better be a bloody nice dress.

Do I have to wear a tie?

Evans,

You dare accuse me of animal abuse? Cats can hardly be considered animals. Pray tell, how would I have access to your flat? Other than the key James gave me. And why would I merely stop at turning her fur pink and making it glow? If it were me, I would certainly assure that her meow also turned to a bark since dogs are the superior breed and I am still miffed with Potter for choosing a blasted cat over a cute little pup. I would also replace all of James’s undergarments with frilly little thongs. Go check his drawers and get Rocky to bark and then get back to me. 

I am ashamed, Lily Evans. It’s as though you hardly know me.