The D’Amelio family has become a household name, captivating audiences worldwide with their engaging personalities and relatable family dynamics. Comprising of parents Marc and Heidi D’Amelio, and their daughters Charli and Dixie, this family unit rose to prominence through the explosive popularity of TikTok. Charli and Dixie were among the platform’s earliest viral sensations, and their online success paved the way for numerous opportunities, including their own Hulu reality series, The D’Amelio Show. This show offers viewers an intimate look into their lives as they navigate fame, business ventures, and personal relationships, all while based in the bustling city of Los Angeles after relocating from their Connecticut roots.
The D’Amelio Show delves into various aspects of their lives, notably highlighting how Marc and Heidi provide unwavering support to Charli and Dixie. Both sisters have openly discussed their experiences with mental health, adding a layer of authenticity and relatability to their public personas.
“You want to take away the hurt or the pain that they’re feeling,” Heidi poignantly shared in a 2022 interview with PEOPLE, emphasizing a parent’s natural instinct to protect their children. “But the only thing we could do is be there for them and let them know that we’re here for whatever it is that they need. … Outside of that, we find professionals that can help them in other ways.” This sentiment resonates deeply with many parents navigating the complexities of raising children in the digital age.
Charli has publicly acknowledged and appreciated her parents’ dedication, stating in May 2023, “There’s no one in my life that I know who works as hard to protect me as my parents. I know they’re always looking out for the best in me and us as a family. I love that.” This mutual respect and familial bond are central themes in the D’Amelio family narrative.
In a significant milestone, the entire family, including Dixie, Marc, and Heidi, rallied to support Charli’s Broadway debut in October 2024. She took on the role of Charmion in & Juliet, marking a new chapter in her multifaceted career.
From their modest beginnings in Connecticut to chasing their dreams in Los Angeles, the D’Amelio family’s journey is one of adaptation, ambition, and strong family ties. Here’s a closer look at each member – Charli, Dixie, Marc, and Heidi – and their collective rise to fame as the D’Amelio family.
The Beginning: Marc and Heidi’s Meet-Cute in NYC
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Marc and Heidi D’Amelio’s love story began in a classic New York City setting – a gym. In 1997, their paths crossed, initiating a relationship that would become the foundation of the D’Amelio family. At the time, Marc was building his career as a salesman for Mitchell & Ness, a sportswear company, while Heidi had recently arrived in the city to pursue a career in modeling.
Heidi reminisced about this period during an episode of Dancing with the Stars, describing 1997 as a transformative year where she not only began falling in love with Marc but also with herself. Their connection deepened, culminating in their marriage on May 13, 2000, marking the official start of the D’Amelio family unit.
Marc D’Amelio: From Apparel to Family Brand CEO
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Marc D’Amelio’s professional journey has largely been rooted in the apparel industry. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has dedicated a significant portion of his career to this sector. In 2000, he ventured into entrepreneurship, founding Madsoul Clothing Company. After seven years, in 2007, he moved on to establish Level 4 Collective Showroom, where he continues to hold a leadership role.
Currently, Marc serves as the CEO of D’Amelio Brands LLC, a company that encapsulates the family’s expanding business interests. This umbrella brand includes D’Amelio Footwear, DAM FAM MERCH, and ZitsAllright, showcasing the family’s diverse ventures beyond their individual careers. Marc’s business acumen has been instrumental in navigating and capitalizing on the family’s fame.
Heidi D’Amelio: From Louisiana to the Runway
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Heidi D’Amelio’s journey to fame took a leap of faith when she decided to leave her hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana, to pursue a modeling career in New York City. During her time on Dancing with the Stars, she shared her motivations, “To leave home, leave my family, go out on my own — anybody who knows me back in Louisiana would know that just wasn’t something I would do, but I didn’t want to wake up in 40 years still in Louisiana and never have tried.”
This bold move paid off as Heidi found success in the competitive modeling world. She described the necessary mindset for success, “To make it in the modeling world, I had to be fierce.” Her first booking was surprisingly for runway, despite considering herself shorter than typical runway models. This early success marked the beginning of her professional journey before transitioning into motherhood and reality television.
Marc D’Amelio’s Foray into Politics
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Beyond business and family life, Marc D’Amelio also ventured into the political arena. In 2018, he ran for election to the Connecticut State Senate, representing District 25 as a Republican candidate. He also cross-filed as an Independent party candidate, demonstrating a desire to appeal to a broader electorate.
His campaign website articulated his approach: “When elected, I will stand up to Democrats, Republicans and the President if I disagree with policies that are not in the best interest of the majority of the people I represent. With that stated, we need elected officials that look past political party and can find common ground without special interests guiding their decisions.” Despite his efforts and intentions to serve beyond party lines, he was unsuccessful in his bid, losing to the Democratic incumbent Bob Duff.
Welcoming Dixie and Charli: The D’Amelio Sisters Are Born
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The D’Amelio family expanded with the arrival of their daughters, Dixie and Charli. Dixie D’Amelio was born on August 12, 2001, in Norwalk, Connecticut, just over a year after Marc and Heidi’s wedding.
Celebrating Dixie’s 22nd birthday in 2023, Heidi shared a heartfelt Instagram video montage of Dixie through the years. Her caption read, “I am so incredibly proud of you and so insanely lucky I get to be your mom! 🩵 I love you so much and getting a front row seat to your journey is the best place I get to be 🩵.” This public display of affection highlights the close-knit relationship within the D’Amelio family.
Charli D’Amelio, the younger sister, was born on May 1, 2004, also in Norwalk, Connecticut. To mark Charli’s 19th birthday in 2023, Heidi again took to social media, sharing photos from the celebrations and writing, “I love you to pieces!! I’m so unbelievably proud of the young woman you are 💗 I’m so proud to be your mom💗 I hope this is your best year yet 💗.” These warm parental acknowledgements offer insight into the supportive environment that nurtured Charli and Dixie’s burgeoning careers.
Charli D’Amelio: TikTok Trailblazer
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Charli D’Amelio’s rise to fame is closely linked with the TikTok platform. She began posting in May 2019, primarily sharing dance videos and lip-sync content. Initially, Dixie was hesitant about her sister joining the platform, as Charli recounted in a 2020 interview with The Guardian: “I remember Dixie was so embarrassed to have a sister on TikTok.”
However, as TikTok gained momentum among their peers, Dixie’s perspective shifted. Charli described the turning point: “And then … all my friends started making TikToks. They asked me for help copying some of the dances. They said, ‘Oh, you’ve got to teach us.’ And I said, ‘I don’t want to, it’s weird, I don’t even have my own account.’ But then I started making videos and I guess I started having a lot of… fun?”
This fun translated into viral fame. By November 2020, Charli achieved a monumental milestone, becoming the first TikTok creator to reach 100 million followers. Her reaction on X (formerly Twitter) encapsulated her disbelief and gratitude: “[IS THIS REAL LIFE RIGHT NOW] 100 MILLION PEOPLE SUPPORTING ME!! I TRULY CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS REAL.”
Even amidst growing fame, Charli remained focused on using her platform positively. She told Vogue U.K. in April 2020, “It’s important, since I’ve been given this platform, that I use it to spread good, important messages that teenagers need to hear. I just think: ‘Who would I be listening to if I didn’t have this platform? What would I want them to say to me?’ ”
Dixie D’Amelio: Finding Her Own TikTok Niche
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Dixie D’Amelio’s entry into the TikTok world was somewhat influenced by Charli’s burgeoning success. As Dixie explained to The Guardian, “Every conversation was about TikTok. ‘Oh my God, Charli has 100,000 followers. Oh my God, she has 200,000.’ I said, ‘I’m done! If Charli hits 1 million followers, I’ll start posting because I’m done being left out like this.’ “
True to her word, when Charli reached one million followers, Dixie began creating her own content. She initially appeared in Charli’s videos before establishing her individual presence on the platform. As of September 2023, Dixie has amassed nearly 57 million followers on TikTok, while Charli’s follower count exceeds 151 million.
Dixie has consciously differentiated her content from Charli’s, emphasizing her personality over dance routines. She told Insider in April 2020, “I just try to show my personality, because I’m not a dancer, and a big portion of [TikTok] is dancing. And also, Charli and I are two different people, and we’ve always tried to never be in competition. I don’t want to do what she’s doing. I don’t want to be a dancer, because that’s her thing and I have my thing.”
Initially, both sisters briefly joined the Hype House, a collaborative content creator collective, in December 2019. However, they departed a few months later in May 2020, citing business reasons. Their representative clarified to The Hollywood Reporter, “When the Hype House started to become more of a business, [Charli and Dixie stepped away] from that aspect. While their businesses are separate, their friendships with the members continue.”
Music Ventures: Dixie and Charli Expand Their Talents
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Beyond their social media careers, both Charli and Dixie D’Amelio have ventured into the music industry. Dixie launched her music career with her debut single, “Be Happy,” released in June 2020. The song candidly addresses her mental health struggles, resonating with many listeners. She explained at the time, “[I remain so grateful] for the people that surround me and the opportunities I’ve been given, but some days, as we all know, it’s not easy to be happy.”
Dixie has since released other singles, including “Psycho” and “Older,” and in June 2022, she released her first full-length album, a letter to me, featuring 13 tracks.
Charli has also followed suit, releasing her debut single, “If You Ask Me To.” In a 2022 statement, she expressed her long-standing passion for music, “[I’ve always loved music and performing. Once my online following started growing I was able to showcase my passion for dance, but I felt that with so many other people entering the music space there wasn’t room for me.” She initially pursued singing as a personal hobby but eventually decided to share her music professionally.
The D’Amelio Show: Reality TV Stardom
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The D’Amelio Show, which premiered on Hulu in September 2021, brought the D’Amelio family into the realm of reality television. The series offers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of Charli, Dixie, Marc, and Heidi as they navigate the complexities of fame, business, and relationships in the spotlight. Season 3 delves deeper into the family’s experiences managing public life and its pressures.
In a trailer for the show, Marc encapsulates the double-edged sword of fame, “Hollywood could chew you up and spit you out, but this is the life that everyone asked for.”
Season 3 also highlighted the unique experience of Charli and Heidi competing against each other on Dancing with the Stars season 30. Charli described this mother-daughter competition as “hard.” They made history as the first mother-daughter pair to compete on the show. Heidi was eliminated in week 8, while Charli and her partner Mark Ballas ultimately won the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
Charli D’Amelio’s Relationship with Landon Barker
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Charli D’Amelio was in a relationship with musician Landon Barker, son of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, from June 2022 to February 2024. Barker publicly expressed his affection for Charli in a now-deleted Instagram post celebrating her birthday in 2023, “[Since the first day] we ever started talking you have changed my life! [You’re] such a kind, strong loving person and that has brought me and so many others so much happiness and love. I love you so much hope you have the best day ever you deserve it so much ❤️.” Their relationship was closely followed by fans and media alike until their amicable split.
Dixie D’Amelio’s Past Relationship with Noah Beck
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Dixie D’Amelio was also in a high-profile relationship with fellow social media personality Noah Beck from September 2020 to November 2022. Beck’s publicist confirmed their amicable separation to The New York Times, stating, “[We can confirm] that the pair are no longer together but remain close friends.”
Months later, Beck reflected positively on their relationship during a podcast appearance on The School of Greatness in July 2023, referring to Dixie as his “first true love” and emphasizing that they ended on “good terms.” He added, “Everyone has their first true love. And she was mine. It’s life. Things just don’t last, always. Things aren’t forever. I still have so much love for her. It’s just one of those things where we both have stuff to figure out and we both have a lot of growing to do.”
Mental Health Advocacy: An Open Dialogue
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The D’Amelio family has been commendably open about mental health, using their platform to foster important conversations. All four members have spoken candidly about their experiences with mental health challenges and online bullying. Charli has publicly shared her struggles with panic attacks and disordered eating, while Dixie has discussed her experiences with anxiety and depression. These topics are also frequently addressed on The D’Amelio Show, providing a platform for greater understanding and empathy.
Dixie explained in a 2021 interview with PEOPLE the importance of addressing mental health on their show, “I think it’s important because it’s hard to talk in a YouTube video or a TikTok [about my mental health] because it’s just not everything, I could never show every part on like a short-form platform. So being able to do this on the Hulu show has really shown every step of the way, and I’ve seen my personality change and how I am as a person.”
Marc added a parental perspective, “I think young people are starting to talk more about mental health, and it comes over truthful and it’s exactly what happened. As a dad, as a parent, you’re always try to fix things — that’s the hardest part about mental health is you can’t just wave a magic wand, and you have to be supportive.”
In conclusion, the D’Amelio family’s journey is a compelling narrative of modern fame, family dynamics, and entrepreneurial spirit. From their TikTok beginnings to reality television and beyond, the D’Amelio family continues to evolve and engage with audiences worldwide, all while maintaining a strong family core and using their platform to address important social issues.
