Kendall Vertes

Kendall Vertes is an American dancer, actress, singer, and content creator who first captured national attention on the Lifetime reality series Dance Moms. She became a fan favorite for her sharp technique and polished performances, and she later expanded into music under the stage name Kendall K, releasing singles like "Wear 'Em Out" and "Out Loud."

Today, Kendall is a college student at James Madison University, where she cheers on the dance team, and she hosts her own talk show, The Kendall K and Friends Show, on CBS. With over 10 million Instagram followers and a strong presence on TikTok and YouTube, she has built a loyal Gen Z audience who follow her dance content, college life, and lifestyle vlogs. Her blend of relatable charm and professional polish keeps her a standout from her reality TV roots. [edit]

Kendall started dancing at just 18 months old at Roger's School of Dance in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. By 2008, she had switched to Studio 19 Dance Complex, where she trained seriously in multiple styles. Before her Dance Moms debut, she was already a competitive dancer at the Abby Lee Dance Company and had a taste of TV as part of the singing and dancing group The Glitter Girls, who appeared on the show Party Rockers in 2011.

Her early life balanced dance with typical childhood activities. She played softball for a while but gave it up to focus on her growing dance commitments. Kendall attended public school until sixth grade, when filming schedules forced her to switch to homeschooling. She returned to public school in 2017 and graduated from Penn-Trafford High School in 2021.

The big break came when she joined the ALDC competition team on the second season of Dance Moms in 2012. She briefly left to try Candy Apple's Dance Center but quickly rejoined, becoming a mainstay on the show for six seasons. [edit]

Kendall's time on Dance Moms made her a household name among reality TV fans. She appeared from season two through season seven, leaving in 2017 along with other elite dancers to form "The Irreplaceables." During her run, she won numerous regional and national titles, including the 2015 National Miss Preteen Sheer Talent in Las Vegas.

In 2015, she launched her music career as Kendall K with the single "Wear 'Em Out," which hit number one on the iTunes Pop Music Video charts. She followed with "Out Loud" and "Where Would I Be Without You," and even released a Christmas album called K-mas. Her music was featured in films like Rapunzel: A Princess Frozen in Time and Anastasia: Once Upon a Time.

After leaving the show, Kendall kept building her brand. She joined the James Madison University dance team and won a National Champion title with them in 2024. In 2022, she premiered her own talk show on CBS, The Kendall K and Friends Show, interviewing celebrities and fellow Dance Moms alumni. Her social media presence has become a major part of her career, with millions of followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. [edit]

Kendall is known for her charismatic and down-to-earth personality, which shines through in her social media content. She posts a mix of dance videos, college vlogs, and lifestyle content that feels both fun and relatable. Media has often described her as a sweet yet fiery competitor on Dance Moms. Her fan base is primarily Gen Z and dance enthusiasts, and she has a clean reputation, with only a minor controversy over her political views. Her current vibe is that of a college girl and podcaster, and she often shares behind-the-scenes looks at her life as a student and content creator. [edit]

Kendall Vertes commands a massive digital footprint with 11 million followers on Instagram and 8.7 million on TikTok, yet iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person without assigning her a placement in the published rankings. She is currently unranked in the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list, standing as a highly visible cultural figure who remains outside the specific numerical hierarchy of global celebrity. Her audience does not operate under a formalized name; instead, fans engage through a direct creator-to-consumer relationship across platforms rather than a structured ecosystem. While media outlets often highlight her transition from reality TV to professional aspirations, the lack of a unified fanbase means there are no organized campaigns, charity drives, or ritualistic behaviors documented in connection with her name. The most prominent narrative shaping her recent public identity emerged in May 2026 when she told PEOPLE magazine she felt destined to become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. This statement marked a significant shift from her reality TV roots to professional sports aspirations, generating headlines but failing to spark a new collective movement among her followers. Later that year, her appearance on the MLB All-Star Game red carpet further cemented her status as a mainstream figure, though her journey remains defined by individual resilience rather than group mobilization. Unlike stars with dedicated legions, Vertes navigates her post-Dance Moms career as a solo entity, relying on personal content and podcasting to maintain relevance without the backing of a named fandom.[edit]

Kendall's middle initial 'K' honors her cousins Kiley and Kara. A natural athlete, she is left-handed like her mother and learned tennis from her dad. Her favorite dance styles are contemporary and jazz, and she gravitates toward teal, baby pink, and baby blue. In fourth grade, she maintained straight-A grades and was restricted to just 30 minutes of internet time daily. She once owned guinea pigs named Juicy and Bebe and a dog named Lulu. If she hadn't pursued performing arts, she has expressed a desire to become a dentist or join Broadway. A defining moment in her recent public narrative occurred in May 2026 when she told PEOPLE magazine she felt destined to become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, describing it as her personal closure. This statement marked a significant shift from her reality TV roots to professional sports aspirations. Later that year, she attended the MLB All-Star Game red carpet in July 2026, discussing the event on camera. Despite her cheerleading ambitions, she has clarified that she avoids NFL cheerleading tryouts specifically to distance herself from reality TV tropes. She also recently tied the knot, joining other Dance Moms stars in marriage updates during 2026. Fans still retell the story of her departure from the show as a natural progression into adulthood, contrasting with peers who left due to conflict. Her journey from the youngest child on the team to a potential professional cheerleader represents a mythos of redefining oneself after growing up in the spotlight.[edit]

Kendall is the youngest of three daughters born to Erno and Jill Vertes. Her older sisters are Charlotte and Ryleigh. She has Italian and German roots and was raised in the Christian faith. Her family has been supportive of her dancing career, with her mom Jill appearing alongside her on Dance Moms. Kendall is currently dating baseball player Andrew Ciufo, and they have been together since 2022. She has no children. [edit]

Kendall competed against Brooke Hyland on the second season of Dance Moms. She also appeared alongside fellow cast members like Maddie Ziegler and Chloe Lukasiak, and she has interviewed many of them on her talk show. [edit]

Kendall's dating life has been a topic of interest for fans. In 2017, she was rumored to be dating actor Dylan Kingwell, though neither confirmed it. In 2019, she dated John Rink, but the relationship ended in October of that year. She then had a relationship with Austen Swankler from 2020 to 2021. In April 2021, she went Instagram official with TikTok star Caden Woodall, but they split in May 2021. Since 2022, she has been dating baseball player Andrew Ciufo, who was born on September 7, 2000. As of 2026, they are still together. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Kendall Vertes' net worth at $1.5 Million. Her financial portfolio spans multiple revenue streams that have evolved since her days on *Dance Moms*. During her tenure on the Lifetime series, top cast members reportedly earned substantial salaries, with figures reaching up to $300,000 per season. Today, her social media dominance serves as her primary income engine. She commands thousands of dollars per sponsored post on Instagram and TikTok, with estimated yearly earnings from Instagram alone ranging between $367,000 and $503,000. Brand collaborations with companies like Bloom Nutrition and Dunkin' supplement her earnings, alongside ad revenue generated from her podcast and YouTube channel. Her role hosting *The Kendall K and Friends Show* on CBS adds another layer to her financial success. Music sales and merchandise, including her Kendall KMoji emoji app, further diversify her revenue. Estimated annual income from endorsements sits around $240,000.[edit]

Kendall has won numerous dance competition titles throughout her career, including multiple regional and national titles in various categories. Her single "Wear 'Em Out" topped the iTunes Pop Music Video chart. She also earned a National Champion title with James Madison University in 2024. [edit]