Michele Gisoni: The Step-Sister of Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler

When people hear the name Gisoni, they almost always think of Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler — the young dancers who became household names through Lifetime’s hit show Dance Moms. But there’s another member of this blended family who’s stayed far from the spotlight. Michele Gisoni, now known as Michele Lynn Grant, is the step-sister of Maddie and Mackenzie. Unlike her famous step-siblings, Michele has chosen a quieter, more private life. Here’s what we know about her and how the Gisoni-Ziegler family came together.

Who Is Michele Gisoni?

Michele Gisoni is the biological daughter of Greg Gisoni, a longtime executive in the energy sector. She grew up as Michele Lynn Gisoni before eventually taking the surname Grant, likely through marriage. She’s also been referenced under the name Michele A. Gisoni in certain records.

While her step-sisters have millions of followers across social media and have built careers in entertainment, Michele hasn’t pursued public fame. She’s maintained a low-key presence, and very little information about her personal or professional life is available online. That’s clearly by design — Michele appears to value her privacy and has kept a healthy distance from the media attention that surrounds the Ziegler name.

It’s worth noting that Michele was already an adult by the time her father married into the Ziegler family. She didn’t grow up alongside Maddie and Mackenzie in the way younger siblings might. Their relationship is one that formed through a blended family later in life, which may partly explain why she hasn’t been pulled into the public eye the same way.

The Gisoni-Ziegler Family Connection

The Gisoni and Ziegler families came together when Greg Gisoni married Melissa Ziegler. Melissa had previously been married to Kurt Ziegler, with whom she had two daughters: Maddie (born September 30, 2002) and Mackenzie (born June 4, 2004). After Melissa and Kurt’s divorce, Melissa eventually began a relationship with Greg Gisoni.

Greg and Melissa’s marriage merged two families. Greg brought his children — including Michele — into the fold, while Melissa brought Maddie and Mackenzie. The result was a blended household that, thanks to Dance Moms, would soon find itself under intense public scrutiny.

Greg Gisoni appeared occasionally on Dance Moms during its run, usually in the background of family scenes. He was supportive of his step-daughters’ dance careers but didn’t seek the spotlight himself. That same reserved approach seems to run in the Gisoni side of the family, with Michele taking an even more private stance than her father.

The blended family dynamic wasn’t always easy to navigate under the cameras. Melissa Ziegler often had to balance the demands of the show, the expectations of dance coach Abby Lee Miller, and the realities of raising children in a newly combined household. Through it all, the Gisoni side of the family largely stayed behind the scenes.

Michele’s Famous Step-Sisters

If you’re reading about Michele Gisoni, chances are you already know about Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler. But here’s a quick recap for context.

Maddie Ziegler rose to fame as the standout dancer on Dance Moms, which premiered on Lifetime in 2011. She quickly became known for her technical skill, emotional performances, and fierce competitiveness. Maddie’s career exploded when she starred in Sia’s music video for “Chandelier” in 2014, which has since been viewed billions of times. She went on to appear in several more Sia videos, acted in the film Music (2021), and starred alongside Pete Davidson in The Fallout. Today, Maddie is an established actress, model, and author.

Mackenzie Ziegler, the younger of the two sisters, also competed on Dance Moms and built her own following. Mackenzie has pursued a career in music, releasing several singles and EPs. She’s also appeared on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors and has a strong social media presence with millions of followers.

Both sisters have been in the public eye since childhood, which makes Michele’s decision to stay private all the more understandable. Growing up adjacent to that level of fame — even as a step-sibling — likely gave Michele a firsthand view of the pressures that come with celebrity. Her choice to maintain distance from that world speaks for itself.

Personal Life

Michele Gisoni — now Michele Lynn Grant — has been connected to Hawaii in recent years. She appears to live on Oahu’s North Shore, a region known for its laid-back surf culture and tight-knit community. It’s a far cry from the bustling entertainment hubs of Los Angeles or New York, and it suggests that Michele has built a life centered around peace and privacy rather than public attention.

Beyond her location, there’s genuinely very little publicly known about Michele’s day-to-day life. She doesn’t appear to maintain a public social media presence, and she hasn’t given interviews about her connection to the Ziegler family. That’s entirely her right, and it’s a boundary worth respecting.

What we can say is that Michele’s story is a reminder that not everyone connected to fame wants or needs to be famous themselves. In a world where people often chase visibility, there’s something refreshing about someone who’s content to live quietly — even when their last name carries significant public recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Michele Gisoni related to Maddie Ziegler?

Michele Gisoni is the step-sister of Maddie Ziegler. Michele’s father, Greg Gisoni, married Maddie’s mother, Melissa Ziegler, which made Michele and Maddie step-siblings. They didn’t grow up together from childhood — Michele was already an adult when the families blended.

What is Michele Gisoni’s real name now?

Michele Gisoni now goes by Michele Lynn Grant. The name change is believed to be the result of marriage. She’s also been known as Michele L. Gisoni and Michele A. Gisoni.

Where does Michele Gisoni live?

Michele has been connected to Hawaii in recent years, specifically the North Shore area of Oahu. She appears to live a quiet, private life away from the entertainment industry.

Is Michele Gisoni on social media?

Michele doesn’t appear to maintain any public social media accounts. She’s kept a very low profile compared to her step-sisters Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler, who have millions of followers across platforms.

Was Michele Gisoni ever on Dance Moms?

No, Michele Gisoni was not a cast member or regular presence on Dance Moms. The show primarily featured Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler along with their mother Melissa. Michele’s father, Greg Gisoni, made occasional background appearances, but Michele herself stayed out of the spotlight.

Related Celebrities

Michele Gisoni’s most notable connections are to her step-sisters, Maddie Ziegler and Mackenzie Ziegler. Both rose to fame through Dance Moms and have since built successful careers in entertainment. Maddie is known for her work with singer Sia and her acting roles, while Mackenzie has focused on music and social media. Their mother, Melissa Ziegler-Gisoni, also gained recognition through her appearances on the reality show. Through her father Greg Gisoni’s marriage to Melissa, Michele is connected to one of the most well-known families in reality television history.