Movement became her native language before most children learn to read. Growing up in Oakhurst, New Jersey, she started dance classes around age four or five. Her mother, a former dance teacher, guided those early steps.
By nine years old, she understood professional discipline. The repetition, the expectations—these shaped her childhood. Her career quickly expanded beyond the studio.
Today, at twenty years old, she balances multiple roles. Performing, teaching, and creating content fill her days. She moves between Broadway stages, television appearances, and viral social media choreography.
This conversation captures her journey from local studios to international audiences. It reveals what cameras missed during reality television. Her story shows the dedication behind the spotlight.
She built this life through early mornings and relentless drive. Not from luck or one viral moment. Her career refuses to fit into any single category.
Early Beginnings and Broadway Breakthrough
The rhythm found her early, a natural inheritance from a mother who lived for dance. Joanne Paolantonio taught dance her entire life, making the studio a second home.
Childhood and Early Dance Influences
By age four or five, she absorbed choreography faster than children twice her age. Her family documented this rapid growth, calling it “GiaNina’s Journey.” The recordings captured a prodigy in motion.
Before Broadway, she performed with professional dance teams. She danced for the New York Knicks City Kids at Madison Square Garden. She also joined the Brooklyn Nets Kids Dance Team at Barclays Center.
Matilda the Musical: A Broadway Debut at Nine
At nine years old, she landed the role of Amanda Thripp in Matilda the Musical. This marked her official Broadway debut in March 2015. She learned the two-hour show in just six weeks.
The schedule demanded professional discipline. She performed seven shows weekly, arriving hours before curtain. Costume fittings, wig preparation, and warm-ups filled the time before each show.
Her grandmother Mimi passed away during this period. The loss later inspired a heartfelt tribute performance. She left the show in September 2016, having lived a dream while still in elementary school.
Dance Moms and the Reality TV Experience
When the Dance Moms opportunity arrived, it came with a level of intensity that redefined her understanding of performance. The show represented a complete departure from structured theater work.
Her connection to the program began years before joining the cast. She and her mother appeared briefly in Season 3, waiting to audition. That early exposure planted the seed for what would eventually become her reality.
The Journey to Dance Moms
In summer 2018, choreographer Gianna Martello reached out during her first LA trip. The timing felt destined—they shared the same birthday. After three Skype interviews and one in-person audition, she joined the cast.
The selection process involved multiple phone calls and careful consideration. Within months, her life transformed completely. The structured world of theater gave way to reality television’s unpredictable pace.
Behind the Scenes: Pyramid, Auditions, and Long Hours
Filming demanded relentless commitment. The kids worked every single day with minimal breaks. Mandatory school hours had to fit within the shooting schedule.
Pyramid sessions that appeared brief on screen stretched to four hours in reality. Dancers learned routines in two hours maximum. Costumes and concepts were decided at the last minute.
GiaNina stood out as one of the few kids willing to speak up for herself. This eighth grader from New Jersey brought a distinct perspective to the West Coast-dominated team. The experience taught resilience amid public scrutiny.
Choreography and Social Media: Crafting Viral Success
The digital stage became her new theater, where choreography could reach millions in seconds. This shift transformed dance from local studios to global platforms.
TikTok as a Catalyst for Dance Trends
Joining Vibe Crew in August 2020 marked a turning point. The platform grew from hobby to business with over 4 million followers. Her choreography for a Jennifer Lopez track alone generated half a billion views.
Billions of views demonstrated TikTok’s power. Music labels now recognize how viral dances can change a song’s life.
Strategic Choreography and Viral Mechanics
Her approach to choreography blends artistry with strategy. She designs routines with viral mechanics embedded from the start.
Accessible moves and memorable hooks invite participation. People want to film themselves doing these dances. The rhythm encourages repetition across feeds.
The Role of Social Media in Shaping a Star
She manages social media like her own house. Blocking negativity and filtering comments protects her space.
TikTok serves for spontaneous content while Instagram builds her professional resume. This dual-platform strategy keeps audiences engaged without locking into one niche. Social media offers both opportunity and requires careful navigation for mental health.
From Stage to Screen: Dance, Music, and Acting
The silver screen called next, expanding her performance world beyond Broadway’s footlights. Film required a different kind of presence, one that translated through camera lenses.
Transitioning to Film: The Greatest Showman Experience
Her film debut came in 2017’s The Greatest Showman as a principal ballerina. Production faced a severe blizzard that turned a simple commute into a four-hour journey for the entire cast.
She spent seven continuous hours on pointe during one filming day. This endurance test showcased her professional discipline. On set, she met Hugh Jackman and watched the iconic aerial sequence with Zac Efron and Zendaya take shape.
Musical Ventures and Upcoming Singles
Before her film career, she had already performed for massive audiences. She toured with Mariah Carey, appearing at the NBC Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting in 2014.
The experience continued with Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You residency. This included shows at New York’s Beacon Theater and Las Vegas’ Colosseum in 2017.
Her music career has produced four singles: TALK, Everything But You and Me, TIME, and Boy Next Door. Each track blends movement with melody, creating stories people can dance to.
She approaches music with the same strategic eye as choreography. Her ultimate goal involves touring as both singer and dancer. She hopes to join Jennifer Lopez, her career inspiration, on a future show.
Resilience and Vision: GiaNina Paolantonio’s Journey
For a young artist, the biggest challenge isn’t always the choreography, but the environment. Her journey through reality television tested her character as much as her talent.
Overcoming Challenges on Reality TV
A defining moment came during a solo dedicated to her grandmother. As she performed, real snow began to fall. Winning that competition felt like a sign.
The greater struggle was personal. Standing up for herself led to labels like “brat.” She learned that silence could be more damaging than criticism.
Balancing eighth grade with long filming hours forced early maturity. This period shaped her resilience.
Inspiration, Mentorship, and Future Aspirations
Her family remains the constant anchor. They provide the support needed to navigate a demanding industry.
She continues sharpening her skills at Millennium Dance Complex. Weekly classes with choreographer Dexter Carr keep her technique precise.
Her advice to young dancers is direct. Stand front and center at every audition. Show your personality; perfection is secondary.
Long-term goals are clear. She aims to tour as a recording artist and dance backup for Jennifer Lopez. She believes the only limit is the word “no.”
| Category | Key Elements | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Training Studios | Middletown Dance, Broadway Dance Center, ICON, Abby Lee, Millennium | Diverse foundation from top choreographers |
| Commercial Work | Reese’s, Pace Salsa, Simon Premium Outlets | Expanded presence beyond performance |
| Recognition | Capezio Ambassador, Reality Television Awards Presenter (2020) | Industry validation and brand partnerships |
Reflecting on an Unstoppable Talent
Her career blueprint defies convention, built across stages, screens, and social feeds. At twenty, GiaNina Paolantonio teaches, performs, and creates content with relentless energy. She sells out tours and releases music, all while connecting with millions online.
Her mom remains a constant partner, managing a career that most kids only dream of. She logged countless hours in rehearsal from a very young age. This dedication shaped a life in the spotlight.
She now mentors young dancers who see her journey as proof anything is possible. Her advice is clear: build a strong support system and never accept “no” as a final answer.
This story is not about luck. It is about showing up, time after time, with unwavering belief. Her many years of hard work have created an artist just getting started.
