'Dance Moms' Star Zackery Torres Comes Out As Transgender, Following Pressure From Dance Teachers To Perform Like 'A Man'
June 1 2021, Published 11:58 a.m. ET
The 22-year-old University of Southern California graduate announced the "life update" on TikTok, telling their fans and followers that they are in the process of transitioning and will be using the pronouns they/them and she/her moving forward.
"Hi, everyone! It's me, Zachery Torres, and you might know me from Dance Moms," Zachery said in the announcement video. "And I realize I have't posted on TikTok anything of like myself since like December, and like UPDATE: I'M TRANSITIONING! That means I'm transgender, if you didn't know. My pronouns are they/she, which means that 'they' or 'she' are totally fine."
"And I'm just hopping on here to tell you that I'm gonna be posting more on TikTok, and I'm excited about it," Torres added. I don't know why I'm doing all these awkward moves, 'cause I'm rusty. Hey, everyone. Great. Life update. Muah!"
Taking to Instagram to express gratitude for the subsequent outpouring of love and support from the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond, the dancer shared, "Don't really have a ton of words to express how I am feeling right now, other than grateful. Grateful to everyone who has supported me and continued to help me be my full self. Grateful for the outpour of love and support. Grateful to all the advocates who made this possible."
However, Zachery made sure to note that not every trans individual receives the same type of positive response.
"As I sit here with my mount still open, it is important to recognize the amount of LGBTQIA+ individuals who do not receive this loving response," they wrote. "There is still work to be done, and I cannot wait to be a part of it. Much love, and HAPPY EARLY PRIDE MONTH!"
Today, June 1, marks the first day of Pride Month.