Dance Moms’ Chloé Lukasiak Says 10-Year Reunion Special Made Her Realize ‘I Should Probably Go to Therapy’ (Exclusive)

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, the Lifetime alum, 22, delves deep into what went down when the cast came together for the first time to discuss their experiences on the reality dance series for its highly anticipated reunion special.

“It made me realize I should probably go to therapy,” she laughs. “I got things I need to heal from, but it was good to look back and just appreciate. I didn’t expect it at all when they brought up the idea of a reunion. I was just like, ‘Yeah, that sounds good.'”

Lukasiak says her emotions didn’t hit her until she filmed her last one-on-one interview and realized the special would be closing an important chapter of her life. Despite keeping in touch with the girls over the years, the former reality star notes that the timing of the reunion “made the most sense” as her costars needed time away to process their time on the show.

“I think immediately after the show, we all needed our space in some way,” she explains. “Whether we left in season 4 or season 5 or 8 or whatever. I think after an emotionally charged environment like that, I think you need to step away, heal, just take time for yourself.”

It was important for the girls to “be their own person outside of the show,” says Lukasiak.

For her, it was imperative to form her own identity in order to come back, “say goodbye and move on while showing my appreciation for the experience and everything it gave me.”

In November 2023, Lifetime announced that the cast of Dance Moms would be returning to screens for a special reunion episode that would premiere on May 1. Lukasiak, JoJo Siwa, Paige Hyland, Brooke Hyland, Kendall Vertes and Kalani Hilliker will come together to look back at the show’s most controversial moments and answer burning questions from fans.