The world of dance is seeing significant movement this week, ranging from personal milestones for reality TV alumni to major international competitions kicking off in Europe. While former Dance Moms star Chloé Lukasiak opens up about navigating a new chapter of single life and entrepreneurship, the Italian city of Riccione is preparing to host thousands of athletes for the 2026 Absolute Italian Dance Sport Championships.

Lukasiak Enters Her “Unhinged Era”

Chloé Lukasiak is embracing a period of significant personal transformation. Speaking exclusively to reporters at Variety’s Power of Women event in New York, the 22-year-old addressed her life following her split from girlfriend Brooklinn Khoury. The breakup marks the end of a relationship that began in late 2021, a romance Lukasiak had previously described as a “beautiful adventure.” Now, however, the Pepperdine University graduate says she is ready for a reset.

“It’s like a whole new era, especially with this reunion happening,” Lukasiak explained, referencing the recently released Dance Moms reunion special on Lifetime. She noted that the timing feels right to close one major chapter of her life and begin another. Describing this phase as her “unhinged era,” she emphasized a desire to keep things light. “I wanna have fun. I don’t want anything too serious,” she admitted, adding that her current priority is focusing on herself, her friends, and the adventures ahead rather than jumping back into the dating pool.

Beyond her personal life, Lukasiak is aggressively expanding her professional portfolio. She is currently drafting her first fiction novel and preparing for a move to a new city—though she hinted that her next destination is just a stepping stone toward a longer-term goal of settling elsewhere. Additionally, she has launched her own company, the Elevé Dance Competition, cementing her status as a business owner within the industry that made her famous. “I’m hoping I have my era, wherever I’m going next,” she said, teasing an upcoming announcement on her YouTube channel.

Riccione Plays Host to 2026 Championships

While Lukasiak focuses on the business side of dance competitions in the U.S., the competitive scene in Europe is gearing up for a massive showcase. Starting January 16, Riccione will confirm its reputation as a premier destination for national sports, transforming the Playhall on Viale Carpi into the epicenter of the 2026 Absolute Italian Championships.

Organized by the Italian Federation of Dance Sport and Musical Sports (FIDESM), the event is staggering in scale. Over the course of 17 competition days spanning six consecutive weekends, more than 4,000 athletes will take the floor. The event features a diverse range of competitors, from rising stars in the 8-11 age bracket to veterans over 70. Organizers anticipate a total attendance of approximately 20,000 people, including athletes, staff, and spectators, with around 3,000 daily visitors expected each weekend. To manage the sheer volume of performances, about 250 officials and 30 judges will be on rotation throughout the tournament.

A Marathon of Disciplines

The schedule for the championships is rigorous, covering 21 distinct disciplines grouped into seven macro-categories. The action begins immediately this weekend, from January 16 to 18, with the high-energy categories of Street Dance and Breaking.

Following the opener, the event shifts gears to showcase different stylistic worlds:

• January 22–25: The floor belongs to the spectacular performances of the Latin Style category.
• January 31 & February 1: A diverse weekend featuring Rock’n’Roll, Boogie-Woogie, and Oriental Dances. Significantly, this weekend also highlights the Paralympic Sector, underscoring the inclusivity of the sport.
• February 7–8: The Playhall will heat up with the rhythms of Caribbean Dances.
• February 12–15: The focus turns to technical precision with Academic Dances and Tap Dance.
• February 19–22: The event concludes with a grand finale dedicated to the classic elegance of Standard and Latin American dances.

From Lukasiak’s individual pivot to entrepreneurship to the thousands of dancers converging on the Adriatic coast, the coming weeks promise to be a dynamic period for the global dance community.