This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 Pink Issue of Showstopper Magazine.
Chandler Kinney has been lighting up our screens and stages for years, but her journey began where so many young dancers’ stories start—in the studio. Her training at prestigious institutions like the Los Angeles Ballet Academy and Debbie Allen Dane Academy shaped not only her dance technique but also her approach to life and performance. “I believe one of the greatest skills training in dance at a young age instilled in me was commitment to improvement,” Chandler shared. That dedication to growth has carried her through an impressive career spanning dance, acting, and everything in between.
Full-Circle
Six years ago, whee we first interviewed Chandler Kinney, she shared her biggest goal: “to have a part in many projects that make people think and make people feel.” Looking back now, she reflects on how much that vision has shaped her journey. “[It] warms my heart to hear that I said that because I absolutely do feel as though I’ve achieved that goal in so many of the projects I’ve done in the last few years.”
Chandler’s ability to connect with audiences—whether through dance, acting, or a mix of both—has remained central to her career. “At the core of my job, I aim to reach people and connect with them in a way that makes them feel seen and understood,” she explained.
Over the years, her goals have evolved to include personal growth through her work. For Chandler, it’s not just about what she can give her audience—it’s also about what she learns about herself along the way. “I focus on discovering new parts of myself through my work, and challenging my perception of what I believe I’m capable of.”
One of the greatest skills training in dance at a young age instilled in me was commitment to improvement.
Storytelling
Chandler shifted gears from dance to acting at just 9 years old, excited by the chance to step into new worlds and bring characters to life. She explained, “I decided to pursue acting because I loved storytelling, and while that can be a big element of dance, I enjoyed the idea of fully diving into that world in a more direct way.”
But her years of dance training weren’t left behind—they came in handy in helping her bring characters like Willa, the fierce werewolf in Disney’s Zombies franchise, to life. “I remember working on the way she walked, her posture, how she held her hands (or claws to be exact!), and how all of those elements changed based on how she was feeling.” For Chandler, movement wasn’t just part of the performance—it was essential to making Willa’s presence powerful and memorable before she even spoke.
Dancing with the Stars
In 2024, Chandler returned to her dance roots with Dancing with the Stars Season 33, paired with pro Brandon Armstrong. While her early dance training gave her an edge in picking up choreography and having “a bit of musicality,” ballroom dancing proved to be a completely different challenge. “Not a whole lot translates into ballroom,” she admitted, laughing about how many of her instincts had to be rewired. “I’ve found many of the ‘dancer’ instincts I have are the exact opposite of what is correct [in ballroom].”
Another hurdle was learning to rely on her partner, a staple of ballroom dancing that was entirely new to her. “Partner dancing requires so much trust between both people, physically and mentally,” she shared. “If that key element is missing, it shows in the dance. I struggle with being a ‘follow’ and allowing my ‘lead’ to guide my movements…if you and your partner are not connected, so many dance moves become impossible to properly execute.”
Despite the challenges, Chandler found joy in partner dancing, especially in styles like the Cha Cha. “It was the first time I really felt like I allowed myself to dance with Brandon,” she shared.
One of her favorite partner moments? Performing a Paso Doble inspired by her Zombies character for Disney Night. “It was such a special moment for me because it was an opportunity to readapt a character in a whole new medium and dance to a song that I sang in a movie I filmed. It’s an incredibly rare experience!”
Support Systems
The pressure of live performances, especially on Dancing with the Stars, is no small feat. From the fast pace of rehearsals to the unpredictability of live TV, the experience pushed Chandler in ways she never expected. “You’re always talking about three weeks at a time—actually working on the choreography of one, figuring out the creatives (hair, makeup, wardrobe, etc) for the next, and picking music and conceptualizing for the week after—that’s a lot to hold in your brain all at once,” she laughed. “[And] ballroom is the complete opposite [of a film set]. Anything could happen…and millions of people all around the country are watching in real-time as it all unfolds.”
Anything could happen…and millions of people all around the Country are watching in real-time as it all unfolds.
Between the intense pace of the show and stress of live performance, Chandler learned an important truth. “The show has been a lesson in leaning on your loved ones and accepting help. […] I wouldn’t be able to get through without them.”
Pretty Little Lessons
And leaning on your support system goes both ways, as Chandler explored in her role as Tabby in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. Playing Tabby gave Chandler the chance to dive into themes of loyalty and resilience that hit close to home. “Her unbreakable loyalty to her friends…it was easy for me to understand why she made the choices she did for her people because I would do the same.”
Tabby’s journey resonated deeply with Chandler in many ways, particularly in her strength and resilience. “She had so much heart, and was a true fighter, through and through. That was my way into her mind…I resonated so deeply with her grit and determination to keep pushing forward, no matter the circumstance,” she shared. “Her story of being a survivor, in every sense of the word, is what was most important for me to do justice. I wanted people to see themselves in her, and in turn, feel seen.”
For Chandler, her time on the show wasn’t just about the role—it was about the friendships and lessons that came with it. “I met some of my best friends filming PLL, and learned some of my biggest life lessons so far,” Chandler said. “I learned so much about myself…my capabilities and strengths, my insecurities and weaknesses, and so much in between. I learned to trust myself better, which, in a lot of ways, paralleled Tabby’s arc over the course of the show.”
I learned so mcuh about myself…My capabilities and strengths, my insecurities and weaknesses, and so much in between.
Looking Ahead
Chandler’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary, and she’s not slowing down anytime soon. Although she’s keeping her upcoming projects under wraps for now, she’s committed to keeping dance a part of her life. “My time on Dancing with the Stars has reinvigorated my love of dance, so I will definitely find a way to keep a meaningful part of my life!”
And for young dancers dreaming of a life in the spotlight, Chandler’s advice is simple but powerful: “Follow your heart and know that it will never lead you astray! If you have a real love and passion for whatever it is you’re pursuing, follow it wherever it may lead you!”
