Taking 20 with Nia Sioux

How have you been? Na? Doing well? Um, been very busy with life and everything, which I'm sure you guys can relate to us. Well, but it's been so good. I'm doing well. I'm doing well. How about you? We're doing really good. Nia is a call a student. I know, how has that been? How is that? Has that been so much fun? Or like so it's actually been a lot of fun. Um. Being on campus is like just definitely a different experience. And although like the first like

four weeks were online, we get to go back. We got we actually get to go back this week into in person classes. So I'm really excited about that because in personal it's just a lot better for me at least to meet people and like get to engage more with the class, like Zoom just doesn't do it for me when it comes to school, you know. But right, I feel like the main aspect is like social. You want to go and meet people at college exactly because

you know, you want to meet your people. You want to meet professors face to face, like all that fun stuff. You know. In the food. The food at U c l a. Is really good, It's really really good. Yeah, I'm hungry, I'll take I'll swipe people and Daddy in place. Literally, well we're like it's like bring your grandparents to your grand Yeah, we are your grandparents. We should we tell people how we literally used to just like me and Nia always used to say that we were twins. Why

how did I forget about that? Yeah? How did that even come up? I don't know? And what do you and Kenzie say that she's my little sister? Yeah, why did that happen? You're the big sister, Yeah, she's my little si. I mean we looked so much alike. It's crazy. Obviously. I mean people who tell the resemblance we might be for Carol, but like I think we still look so I literally just believed you for a second. I was like, wait,

are you my third sister? I mean basically, um, she just crawled away to her this other family like the day anyway, sorry anyway, but tom okay, but Na. Honestly though, like we we were talking about this, me and Kenzie

were yesterday. We're just about how like I know this is on a more serious note, but how you've just been like so incredible with being so inspiring to so many people across the world with just like I don't know you, you are like an activist, and I think it's so amazing you You've been really cool about when you first voted and just about like covid and about you do this thing on your Instagram on every Monday it's role Model Monday, right, so tell us about that?

Like right, of course, I just think you're so inspiring to so many, especially young girls who look up to you. And for what do you what made you start the role model Monday? Like how did that come about? And how do you like find who's going to be kind of like the guest of the week, Like how does

that work? Um? First of all, before I even get into that, you guys are inspirational, like just so many people you look up to you not only just like any professional lives like your wise, what you guys are doing, guys, are doing what you love, but also just like your relationship with each other. Like I'm sure there's so many like siblings and sisters I wish they had that wish they had like the same relationship as you guys. So like you guys are role models in so many different

ways that you don't even know. And that's the kind of really cool thing about role models in general and just people in general. You never know, like how much you can do for someone, Like you never realize how big big of an impact you can make in someone's life. And that's kind of like the whole point of like role model mondays because I have like a ton of people in my life mentors, family members, friends, um, who I look up to and who I consider role models

like you guys. You guys are definitely role models to me, um, But like there's so many people out there as well that don't have someone to look up to or someone they feel like they can identify with or see themselves as. So the whole point of role model mondays um basically is just to put these people out here who have an amazing story, like ordinary people who have like extraordinary stories, and you know, at least giving them a platform to

kind of share with the world their story. And even if it reaches like you know, two people, you know, it can make a difference. And some of these people, right, and like some of these people are like some people I know, some people I don't. Some people have small following, some people have large followings. Like it's all types of people. Anyone can be a role and that's the whole point. Anyone can be a role model to anyone. And um, yeah, I just want people to have someone that they can

look up to. So even though sometimes they're not like my most what like liked picture on Instagram, it's so important because every time I post one everyone people get excited and they love to see it. So that's something that I'm just going to continue doing because, um people just love seeing it and you know, they get inspired by total And not only are those role models making a difference in someone's life are impacting them, but you

are impacting those people's lives and everyone around you. It's it's really inspiring and it's kind of like the gift that keeps on giving, which is really cool to just like you're inspired by someone and then you share that person with the world, and then so many other people

can be inspired. And I think it's just such a great idea, and you've definitely, like, I think that's just so amazing you've done that, because I'm sure so many people look up to you in that way and are so grateful that you've been sharing these people's stories because they're so amazing. They really are. And I really love how you lift everyone up on your social media. I think it's it's very important, and I feel like you're a great role model for younger kids and older kids

and everyone. You know, Thanks guys, Thanks um Festa. I know, you know, what's actually crazy too, is like obviously, I mean, I'm guessing a lot of people know who are listening to this right now and know that we've obviously grown up together on a TV show, and we've grown up in such like a unique experience that a lot of

people can't really relate to. But we've been, you know, lucky enough that we had each other going through that experience because even though they were really good times, there was also really challenging and hard times. And you know, I think it's so important that we had each other and it's so like, how do you feel about that as well? Yeah, well I think that like it kind

of just shows how strong our friendships are. Frendship, my friendship with both of you guys, um is just because like since we've been friends for so long, since you know, we're probably like what like four, Like I probably knew you guys when I was like four, you guys are probably like three because it's probably like to you know,

like little like itt itty bitty um. So the fact that we can like still be friends first of all for that long and then also be friends considering everything else that we went through as well, I think it speaks a lot. I think it has a lot about our relationship with each other. Um, you know, like no matter like what happens in our lives, I feel like

we're still always going to have that bond. And I think that it's so important to have like people like that in your life, who you know, you've grown up with, who shared experiences with, that you can still talk to and you relate to, and like, I don't know, can just kind of like, um like go back and just see how far we've come. I think it's just kind

of beautiful to see that. So yeah, even though it was like a crazy experience that we like went through, like we just didn't grow up, like our normal was very different from like a regular like normal childhood, but our normal child are normal to us. Childhood was in some ways, I feel like really good for us because let us store we are now and we get to you know, still get to be friends and get to do what we love. So it's so I think it

all worked out. And you know what, like the biggest takeaway, even just you saying that really put everything into perspective of like what we valued when we were younger was and what we were taught by our dance teachers was winning is the most important thing. If you don't win, you're not going to be successful or whatever it may be. Or you can't cheer on your competitors or it has

to be this rivalry. It's like now, growing up, the only thing that actually really mattered and something that we will carry into our lives now is friendship and community and supporting each other, Like that actually is what mattered. Yeah, of course, and I really love that, Like, you know, the we call us the O G Girls but like, I love how we can get along and you know, get together and just act like yeah, and also act like no time has passed. I think that's the best thing.

Like we don't talk to each other for years and we get together and we just have the best time. We watch our old dances, we get to hang out, and I just think it's so special that we got to experience this with everyone around us, because obviously we would all fight at times, but that's because we were with each other every second except Nia and I, except me and I. Ni and I were straight out the bat.

Nia was just the most calm and collected one in the group, Like Nia was the one that held us all together honestly because you There was no drama from you. There was only nice. You're the only girl I could tell a secret to and know that it wouldn't get around. Very true. I will keep your secrets saved. I'm a very worthy person. Oh yeah, Nia is like a lock box. It's amazing and it's so funny because nothing has changed. And you know what really hasn't changed about you, which

is crazy? Is we all of those girls? This is this is so random. But me and Kenzie, I guess you could say we were addicted to sprite when we were little, and and Nia really just showed us all you should drink some water. I think that much of an impact as a child, like you did. Well, I mean, I'm still drinking spright. So wait, tell the story though, because this is so random. Okay, So I stopped drinking soda like ages. Okay, so sprite used to be my

favorite soda. Ever, I'd always get it with all my meals whatever I think. Do you guys remember this, like I used to love sprite? Yes, yes, okay, we all used to love sprite, Like I was like addicted to it when I was younger. And then when I started singing and stuff, Remember like my voice teacher telling me like hey, Nia, like you, I shouldn't drink so it's not really good fear of voice, like sugar and stuff is not good for your voice. And I was like, oh my gosh. I woke up the next morning like

quick culture, we're putting an end to this addiction. So literally, what's happened? And like I cannot believe, like you stuck with She's like hia Mia and I'm a dit but like it's so funny because I was like I was probably like eleven or twelve or whatever, and I was like, I'm not drinking. I'm not I'm not drinking it anymore.

It's bad for me. I'm not gonna drink it. Like, girl, like you're so young, Like like if that's the worst you're drinking, I think you're okay, right that you're also the girl that has like the best skin and honestly, like water is the secret in here. Yeah, so don't

feel bad for drinking. For not drinking. Wait, Mattie, I also wanted to say something because you said something earlier about like how we like grew up, like what we were taught growing up being competitive and like not cheering each other on is like or like cheering each other on is a bad thing, Like you know, you won't be successful if you like push others down and stuff, And I think, like something that kind of just like I don't know, I just wanted to say because I

thought it was kind of interesting. Was like I feel like are like vision of like success like back then was just like winning, Like what you said, like that was like that was the goal, but like as we grew up, we kind of like figured out like individually like what success means to each of us and like you know, and I think like a lot of people people forget that as well, Like success looks different for like so many different people, you know, like for everyone,

And I feel like we grew up in this way where it's like if you don't win, like you know, you're like, that's that's success. Winning is the only thing, no matter how you get there, and like, which is it's not true? I mean maybe for that one, but it's true, but like for everyone, people probably the whole planet to not think that way, you know. So it's been really cool to see everyone you know now doing their things and like seeing everyone being like you guys,

Like I love seeing you guys. You guys are so successful, but like you guys do different things, which I love. Like you guys aren't the same even though you guys look very similar and literally sisters, you guys literally do everything that you love and like you guys don't do anything because you don't want to do it. It's like there's a lot of passion behind what you do. You know,

thank thank you, and same same with you. And I think it also goes to show like even for you, you've accomplished so many things, Like you did you acted on a soap opera and that was so cool, and then you did like an off Broadway show, and you have music, and you just did a movie for Lifetime that we all watched. It's just like you were finding success in so many different categories as kind of we all are as well, and it's just like really rewarding to know that you don't have to be put in

one box. And also, I don't know about you guys, but like personally, for me, and this might sound kind of like cheesy, but I find success in like really little things now, Like I'll clean the entire house and I'm like that felt really rewarding, or like I'll go do an errand that I've put off for a while and I'm like, wow, I really like feel accomplished. Like things like that are actually more important than having like a trophy or crown. Where are all of our our

I was going to talk about that earlier. They're not good for the environment. Classic trophies. Yeah, I just cannot believe how, especially Maddie, I feel like it was just like if you didn't get that one trophy, it was just the end of the world, and I feel like I was always just like how am I going to take this home? Like I don't even want to. It's like I'm going to have to carry this on the air, playing all the way back home. Like about me. I

remember the one time what place I get? I think I got like a ninth place and something in something, and like one of our teachers was like, NA, that's great, like you know what you gotta stry for next time, and I was like, yes, eight. She was like that is so funny, that's true, Like that's the thing. I was like, little stops. You know, you're like eight place, that's great, but hey, that is also great, and it also would have been fine if you got tenth place

the next time. You know, it's like that too. I don't know. And also no one's asking us now if we got first place. Yeah, you know Miss Sparkle Dance Competition, you know, like because we could go literally on and I'm sure everyone doesn't want to hear us ramble for something. We do an episode called take an Hour, literally take take an hour. Um, thank you so much NIA for coming on. Um you guys should all stay tuned for part two with her, because we have more to talk about.

Thanks so much for taking twenty with us. If you had fun, please give us five stars. You can follow us on Instagram at Take twenty podcast, email us at take twenty at i heeart radio dot com, or you can call us at eight four four or Take twenty. See you next time,