Photo: instagram
Meet your new favorite couple!
By Alison Cerri — Written on Oct 31, 2018
Who else was obsessed with Dance Moms when it first premiered in 2011?
Dance Mom's Maddie Ziegler is a notable name for many reasons. Her legacy in the drama on the show is being Abby's favorite, as her picture was often at the apex of the pyramid every week, and thus got more solos and attention than the other girls. Despite the drama, Ziegler is extremely talented and has been recognized for her abilities outside of the show. For example, she's been featured in many Sia music videos.
Ziegler, now 16 years old, is back in the headlines, but this time it's not for dancing — it's for her rumored relationship with Kailand Morris.
Though she was last noted to be dating Jack Kelly, it appears the two broke up in August 2018. “They still talk and there has not been a defining reason behind it, just that it’s becoming more difficult to maintain the relationship between the distance and both their schedules,” a source said at the time.
So who is Kailand Morris? Here's what we know.
1. They met on the Dancing with the Stars: Juniors set
Maddie's younger sister Mackenzie is on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, which is exactly what it sounds like. Most fans of the youthful spin on the show are currently furious after Honey Boo Boo was eliminated in its latest episode, but others are excited by the interactions between not only the contestants but their families as well.
Morris, on the other hand, is related to DWTS: Juniors contestant Mandla Morris. According to a source, the two met on set, but have yet to really define their relationship and are more focused on just having fun together.
2. He is Stevie Wonder’s son
Kailand and Mandla Morris’s mother is Kai Millard Morris, a.k.a. Stevie Wonder’s second wife. They were married for 11 years, from 2001 to 2012. The mega-talented musician has been married three times. Kailand and Mandla have seven other half-siblings.
Wonder is currently married to Tomeeka Macy.
3. He’s a model
Photo: City Models
Though his father is a star on stage, Morris shines on the catwalk. He has walked for Dolce and Gabbana, Iceberg, Comme des Garçons, and others. And he’s only 17. Pretty impressive, considering that by 17, I had my driver's license... and that was about it.
4. He's popular on Instagram
There’s a reason why he has 68K followers at the time of this writing! Morris posts pictures from his modeling gigs, but also his life in general. It’s pretty clear why he’s a model — even his casual selfies in ugly sweaters look professional-level.
He's also taken his relationship with Ziegler Instagram-public, posting a picture with Ziegler and some friends at Disney — very similar to one Ziegler posted on her own, which sparked speculation about their relationship.
Photo: Clevver.com
5. He celebrated Ziegler’s Sweet Sixteen with her
Ziegler posted a series of photos from her 16th birthday on Instagram in front of her new Audi. And Morris was in one of those pics!
Their relationship was only recently confirmed, but their close friendship started at least a month ago.
Alison Cerri is an editorial intern at YourTango. When she's not writing, she can be found on a run or at rugby practice.