It’s coming down to the wire for nationals and Abby had decided to do the opening on an unfinished studio the day before nationals. I know a lot of your were outraged last week when Nia beat Kalani and Abby still would not commit to giving her a solo at nationals but you have to understand this has become one of the most scripted shows on TV and everyone involved, even the girls are acting. They are actually very good little actors. And Abby’s bizarre behavior is being hyped up. While I do think something is going on with her, I think we are getting a very exaggerated perspective.
Abby actually points Nia on top of the pyramid. Abby has two solos for nationals. Of course Maddie gets one. The mothers fight for Nia to get the other. Abby gave Nia her first solo at nationals. Actually, Nia owned it. This years group dance is set in a hospital waiting room. Oh, Abby. Just tank them why don’t you.
At nationals, Nia has a stupid costume. I blame Holly for this. Why are they acting like Abby provides the costumes? That is a dance mom’s job. Nia is dancing in the teen division and her competition will be stiff. I’m not sure she is prepared for this. That is Abby’s fault. But I’m sure Nia will take any blame that comes and none of the glory. It’s looking like Ava might beat Maddie as well. That would not break my heart. 
During the first bit of Nia’s dance, the music skipped. We saw reaction faces from Abby and Holly rather than what Nia did, but it appears she pushed through. I didn’t like her choreography, it reminded me of her Maya Angelou routine, only this was not as good. I didn’t like her costume. And I didn’t like her facial expression which was some sort of serene smile when the song was about a struggle. I’m disappointed. Apparently, thirty seconds of her solo was skipped.
Ava’s solo was really good. She gets up higher in her turns than Maddie. I do get distracted by her extremely thin, yet extremely muscular body and her height. Abby of course insulted her performance immediately deeming it, “awful” right there in front of everyone.
Maddie’s dance was one of her best. Her turns were a lot higher than usual, her usual emotional face was spot on for the song, he costume choice and entry and exit were great. She should win.
Murrietta’s group routine was good. It captivated you and pulled you in. I found the actual target being passed around distracting from the dance steps. In their opening they were not as clean as they have been in the past. It’s definitely throwing down the gauntlet to ALDC.
The ALDC somber, fairly morbid group dance went well. I think it was better than Murietta. But it was very sad.
Nia takes second place in the teen solo! Not bad at all.
The guy calling the winners has no idea what he is doing and gave the wrong girl a trophy.
Maddie takes second place in her division! Not good at all! Ava beat her and took first.
ALDC takes second in group. Not good.
Murrietta takes first in group.
Abby has a major meltdown in the audience and has the team walk off the stage before awards are over. Way to teach good sportsmanship, Abby. Life is not always fair. This is a teachable moment and you are teaching all the wrong things.
Holly and Jess stayed behind and finished the ceremony. Once again my DVR shuts off before the final credits. Was that the finale episode? I dunno.
I agree with everything you wrote.
Murrieta wasn’t featured this episode. The team that beat the ALDC is the Broadway Dance Academy (former Candy Apples dancers).
Yes this was the final for this season. Next week ‘reunion’ time.
Yes, the final show. I think next week they have their version of a reunion show. Too bad. Would love to see what all happens after the awards. I don’t understand how Maddie can compete when she is working professionally. Is it different in the dance world?
Didn’t mean to parrot Lynn. When I went to post, there were no other comments.
The choreographer usually chooses the costume. Moms are typically responsible for making sure it fits well. Nia’s costume and head piece were hideous. Abby’s behavior at the comp was inexcusable. Apparently the whole comp was an unorganized cluster fuck, but none of these comps are real, so why get all worked up? We don’t see other dance parents behave badly when the ALDC wins over a better team. Abby gives the producers too much bad behavior to work with. You think she’d eventually learn.
Totally off topic but I was watching live tv the other night, something I rarely do. I tape everything and pass the commercials. This time I didn’t and Maddie was in a commercial for Target I think it was for back to school clothes. All the kids were dancing around. Also in it was the little girl that was in aldc for a short time that was in Mac’s age group. She was really good had great facial expressions.
Anyway back to topic I also am a bit distracted by Ava’s long lean body. She does dance beautifully though. I’m no expert but I actually liked both of the other teams dances better. Really proud of Nia. Big year for her all the way around. She is really coming into her own. She is also recognizing her strengths as a performer. It’s so much better when you embrace what your good at and not try to be a carbon copy of everyone else. Maddie is so great but I personally think she has outgrown dancing in these little comps and needs to focus on bigger ventures. She has a resume now. I also agree now that she is working professionally she should not be eligible for these comps.
By the way, what they DIDN’T show last night – As Abby was walking off, you can hear a guy chasing her saying there is one more award to give. Abby charges out of the auditorium shouting about child labor laws (irony).
What Lifetime didn’t air: The award was to the ALDC for Best Dance Studio. And since Abby pulled her dancers, they didn’t get the award.
How do you know that? Just curious. Anywho…. This comp was in Lancaster. The antelope valley is the boonies of LA. It’s dessert town outside the county. How is a national tournament going to be in such a small time environment? So weird.
It’s not the “boonies”. We’re an hour north of LA, still located in LA county, not outside. Yes we’re located in the high desert, but we have hosted many national dance comps here before. This is nothing new. We’re also one of the most highly trafficked locations for film, TV and music videos in the state and generate significant revenue for the county in doing so.
Reported elsewhere. I wonder if they will bring it up on the reunion.
I saw the Target commercial with Maddie. Did you recognize someone else….Asia had a couple of seconds. Like always….Maddie had he lead. 🙁
So are the actual competition results fixed? I know they film the dances twice, one for the camera, and one for the competition, but that’s about as much ‘interference’ I thought there would be, at least in regards to the competition itself (I.e. Not in regards to how the moms and the kids ‘act’).
I did feel in this competition that the ALDC group and Maddie were both quite a bit stronger than Ava and the Candy Apples, so it had given me pause to consider the producers are getting involved. I think Abby is simple a better choreographer than Janette. It looks more beautiful and fluid.
Note to all producers on Bravo/Lifetime. Stop involving yourself in everything. The earlier seasons of OC/NY – the best! We will still watch if you don’t manufacture the drama. Just keep hiring a steady flow of mentally unstable people, and the drama will come organically.
Dance moms hasn’t been the same since Chloe left IMO. Would love a redemption arc bringing all the girls back together (haha, just after I said to stop manufacturing things. I know, I’m an idiot. Would still love it though).
That’s her name Asia! I could not remember it for nothing.
One of our most important life lessons is that life isn’t fair. Abby did miss a good teaching moment. Unfortunately I was taught bad things happen to bad people. I must really be bad 😉 Thanks Tamara
It did look like next week at the reunion show Abby quits. Of course that could be because of her bad edit.
I didn’t get to watch, but I love the results. So glad the ALDC lost and I would have loved to see the look on Melissa’s face when Maddie lost. Happy for Nia.