If you spent any time on the internet between 2012 and 2017, you probably remember Kendall Vertes as the quiet, green-eyed girl frequently caught in the crossfire of Abby Lee Miller’s legendary rants. She was the one "My Little Kendall" that Jill Vertes was always campaigning for. But if your image of Kendall is frozen in a 2014 Lifetime episode, you’re missing the actual story.
Honestly, the "crybaby" edit she got on TV was just that—an edit.
Now, in 2026, Kendall is 23 years old. She isn't just a former reality star; she’s a college graduate, a podcast host, and someone who has spent the last few years quietly unlearning the trauma of being a child star. It’s wild to think about how much we saw of her childhood and how little we actually knew about the person behind the sequins.
The Dance Moms Hangover is Real
You've probably heard the rumors that the girls from the show don’t dance anymore. For Kendall, that was basically true for a long time. After leaving the ALDC in 2017, she almost completely walked away from the studio. She’s been open about how the show "ruined" dancing for her, turning a passion into a high-stakes source of anxiety.
But things changed when she got to James Madison University (JMU).
Instead of going professional or moving to LA to be a backup dancer, she did something surprisingly normal. She joined the college dance team. She also cheered. Watching her on the sidelines of a basketball game was a total 180 from the intense, pyramid-focused atmosphere of the Lifetime show. It was the first time she really got to enjoy the sport without a camera crew waiting for her to mess up a turn.
The Political Science Pivot
Most people expected her to major in musical theater or film. Nope. Kendall graduated with a degree in Political Science.
Why? Because she wanted a "real" life. She’s mentioned in recent interviews that she considered law school for a while. It’s a move that feels very deliberate—a way to prove she has a brain that functions outside of "jazz funk" and "lyrical" categories. While she hasn't pivoted into a career in Washington yet, the degree served as a mental break from the entertainment industry.
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Not So Little: The New Era
In late 2025, Kendall launched her podcast, Not So Little, under Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network. If you want to know what she’s really like, this is where you find out. She’s dropped the "perfect" persona.
On the pod, she’s talked about things that would have been off-limits on Lifetime:
- Navigating "past trauma" without having been to traditional therapy (yet).
- The "culture shock" of moving back to Pittsburgh after college.
- Living with her parents as a 20-something adult.
- The reality of dating when your entire childhood is on YouTube.
One of the most relatable things she’s discussed is the "post-grad scaries." Even with millions of followers, she’s had those "what am I doing with my life?" moments. It turns out, having a famous face doesn't protect you from the weird, liminal space of your early twenties.
Why the "OG" Debate Still Rages
If you’re a die-hard fan, you know the drama. Is Kendall an "OG"?
Technically, she joined in Season 2 to replace Vivi-Anne. The fandom has been arguing about this for over a decade. Honestly, it’s a bit silly. She spent more time in the trenches of that show than almost anyone else. She was there for the Candy Apples rivalry, the move to LA, and the eventual formation of "The Irreplaceables."
She might not have been in the very first episode, but she’s an OG in the ways that actually matter: the shared history and the collective recovery.
The Friendship Circle
Despite the screaming matches between the moms, the girls stayed tight. Kendall was recently at Kalani Hilliker’s wedding in Lake Como, Italy. Seeing that group together—Maddie, Nia, Chloé, Kalani—feels like a weird time capsule. They are the only people who truly understand what that environment was like.
Business, Beauty, and the "1-Step" Routine
Kendall’s skin is always a topic of conversation. Fans are obsessed with her "one-step" skincare routine, which she admits her college roommates hated her for. Basically, she’s used the same face wash since she was a kid and rarely touches anything else.
But her business sense is sharper than her skincare regimen. She’s moved away from the "influencer" trope of just posting tea detoxes. Instead, she’s been smart with partnerships, working with brands like Jergens on college tours and focusing on long-form content.
She isn't trying to be the next Maddie Ziegler in Hollywood. She seems perfectly happy being a high-profile creator who still lives a somewhat "normal" life in Pennsylvania.
What's Next for Kendall K?
The "K" stands for her cousins, by the way. A little trivia for you.
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As of early 2026, Kendall is leaning heavily into the "lifestyle expert" space. She’s traveling, she’s vlogging, and she’s using her platform to talk about mental health and the reality of the "reality TV" industry. She’s also a dog mom and a frequent traveler (Lake Como, NYC, Philly).
If you’re looking to follow her journey, keep an eye on these areas:
- The Podcast: Not So Little is where the real tea gets spilled.
- YouTube: She still does vlog-style content that feels way more authentic than her old TV segments.
- The Pivot: Don't be surprised if she eventually goes back for that law degree or enters the business side of the beauty world.
The biggest takeaway from Kendall’s post-show life? You can survive a high-stress childhood and come out the other side fairly well-adjusted. She’s proof that you aren't defined by the worst 45 minutes of your week that a producer decided to air on television.
To stay updated on her latest projects, checking out the Unwell Network's lineup or her Instagram stories is usually the best bet for real-time updates.