Dance Moms (2011–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - The Competition Begins - full transcript

Look at me.

Your mother is not your coach.

I am the coach.

Your mother doesn't know
what to do.

If she did, she wouldn't

bring you here.

Do you understand that?

This is where it all starts.

We are preparing for the
national competition.

Moms come from all over
to bring their children to me.

I can make you,
or I can break you.



They want to be a part
of the Abby Lee Dance Company.

What if she fell 13 stories
down and died, huh?

Stop crying,
it's making it worse.

Nia.

Shh... I can't stand her.

Go ask your nine‐year‐old if
she likes what she's wearing.

I'm the mother!

I'm an adult!

Act like one!

I need to go home.

Nobody lives here.

How many times has my daughter
beat your daughter?!

Melissa is sneaky,

and she lies.



Christi is just jealous

of me and my daughter.

I think they're both crazy.

Because I did your makeup.
I don't really care.

You don't even look good
when you got makeup on.

I'm the teacher, I'm the
mentor, I'm the professional.

If Vivi comes to me and says

that she wants to play softball,

I'll probably slit my wrists.

♪ Get up, get on the floor ♪

♪ My world is with my girls ♪

♪ Livin' on the dance floor ♪

♪ Get up, get on the floor ♪

♪ Livin' on the dance floor. ♪

Hello.

Hi, Ab.

Today is the first day
of competition season.

How are you?

Kind of crazy in here today.

Hi.
You look chipper
this morning.

The kids are really,
really excited.

I'm very excited, too.

I love

competition time.

Ready to work?

We're ready to work...

Okay.

I am the artistic director

and the chief choreographer
of the Abby Lee Dance Company

right here in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.

Sauté, coupé, chené, grand‐jeté.

People around the country
know me.

They know Abby Lee
because I produce stars.

I produce amazing,
employable dancers.

I know how to groom these
children and raise these kids,

some of them
as if they were my own.

One, and up!

Okay, stop.

I told you three times
in five minutes

it's not a step‐out.

It's a back handspring.

Two feet.

Do it right.

Start again.

Suck it up‐‐ I don't
want to see those tears.

I'm preparing them for a career.

We do it all in my studio,

so that when they get
to real life, they're ready.

All right, girls,

it's the first day of rehearsal

for the new competition season.

Ladies, you all know
why you're here.

You are the cream of the crop

in your age group, and I have
lots of new ideas in store.

I am going to do something

that no other studio
in the country does.

Every single competition

we are doing

a new routine.

Uh‐uh‐uh‐uh,

girls, don't look
at your mothers.

I am the coach,
I am the teacher.

Sometimes when Abby yells,
it makes me laugh

'cause her face turns red.

I can make you,
or I can break you.

I mean, most dance studios

at least practice for six months

before they go onstage
and perform their routines.

I think it's crazy that
we're going to learn a dance

in a week and compete.

At the beginning of each week,
I have kind of like

a pyramid thing, where

everybody's always trying
to get to the top of that.

Everybody wants to be on top,
of course,

but you have to work for it.

It goes on behavior,

work ethic, attendance,

as well as... have they
followed all the rules?

You know, all of that goes
into who's going to be

at the top of the pyramid
and who's going

to get to compete
the next weekend.

Everybody wants to be front and
center. I hear it all the time.

She puts these kids
in a pyramid; it's a nightmare.

It is a nightmare for a child
and an adult because we have

to stand by and take it.

Whoever is in the front
and center,

they can't make a mistake.

They are holding
that group together.

Everybody always
wants to be on the top.

Usually if you're on the top
of the pyramid,

you're in the front line.

So at the top right here
I have Maddie

because she is

dedicated and because

of her stellar record
last year and...

And Maddie's on the top

and Nia's on the bottom, and
I'm a little crushed for Nia.

Maddie, are you ready
to be front and center?

Can you handle that pressure?

I always feel bad
because my daughter seems

to always get on the top,

and the girls just, you know,
they don't really like it.

The moms hate it.

Our first competition

is going to be
in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ladies, I chose Phoenix, Arizona
because I want you to experience

some of the best competition
teams in the country.

We are going to do
two new numbers‐‐

a high‐energy, really cute,
adorable routine

with Maddie, Chloe, Paige,
Brooke, and Nia

and then also a trio

with Maddie, Chloe, and Paige.

Unfortunately, MacKenzie,

you're too young to compete
at West Coast Dance Explosion,

but you're still going
to go with us anyway.

Girls, we are going
to win in Phoenix,

and the next competition
we're going to win

and the next
competition we're going to win,

and that's all gearing up
for Nationals.

Everything we do
from this point forward‐‐

all this training,

all this competing is
about the Nationals.

So let's get to it.

We are going to begin
the choreography.

Moms, you can be dismissed,

and girls, let's go to Nationals

and bring home
the winning trophy.

All right?

Oh, we're back to dance jail
up here.

Here's what we're going to do.

I want each of you to do
either a chin stand

or like a side shoulder stand,

and we're going to hold it
for eight counts.

Do it from the top.

Ready, and places.

Go.

"Party, Party, Party"

is a theatrical jazz routine.

It's upbeat, it's fun,
classic jazz.

One, two, three, four.

Hold, two,

three, four.

Up and down.

Abby sometimes
has favorites in the studio,

and my daughter just happens
to be a favorite.

These are my two daughters
Maddie and Mackenzie.

Maddie's eight
and Mackenzie's six,

and they're both dancers.

Did you have a nice day?

I definitely think my girls
are like little dolls.

I love to dress them up.

There's you. There's me,

there's me, there's me.

My ex‐to‐be claims that dance
has ruined our marriage.

You're gonna be in it
probably a lot more

even this year,
and your sister, too.

Winning is everything to us.

Maddie has won everything that
she has done in the last year.

She was undefeated last year.

My boyfriend knows

how much I spend on dance
because he signs the checks,

so...

My ex calls me a crazy dance
mom, but I really am not.

I want our kids to be happy.

That's what this is all about‐‐
it's about the kids

and about them shining onstage
and about them becoming stars.

Maddie doesn't have
a normal life.

Her whole life revolves

around dance.

It's constant, but she loves it.

You do cartwheels...

I don't care, you always tap.

Abby is a star maker.

She is gonna make my daughter be
the best she can be,

and she will make her a star.

And five, six...

Girls, what are you doing?

Those legs are about
as straight as Elton John.

Watch that right elbow!

We are five days out
from competition in Phoenix.

I have a lot

of work to do, the kids have
a lot of work to do,

and it's very stressful.

Go, leap.

Oh, my God, it's
like we never left.

I have sat up here
a million times before,

I've seen a thousand dances
go on, and, you know,

I'm just kind of hoping
this year turns out

a little bit better
for, for Chloe.

This is my daughter Chloe,
who is nine.

Yes, I am.

This is her state title
that she's won,

and she's also won
a national title.

It's my job to make sure
all those little things

are taken care of
behind the scenes

so that she can be
the star that she needs

to be onstage.

Because we're

so dedicated to dance,
we have missed so much.

We had our award ceremony.

For what? School.

Oh, your grades, okay.

I do find myself at times,
you know,

putting dance before school,
and it's probably not right.

I pay Abby $16,000 a year
to teach my daughter dance,

but don't tell my husband.

This is Petite Miss
First Runner‐Up 2010,

and Maddie won.

I was her...

Runner‐up. Runner‐up.

My daughter was usually
number two,

but she was always in the mix,
but she couldn't quite,

you know, push herself
over the top.

I'd say that Maddie probably is
Chloe's biggest competition.

I think that Chloe's
biggest competition's

in her own backyard.

Do you think you'll ever make it
to the top of the pyramid?

We can hope, right?

Yeah.

If she wants to be the best,
she has to beat the best.

And Maddie's the best.

I'm not a big fan of this
new pyramid thing.

No. Because to me, that's more

like a Bermuda Triangle
than a pyramid.

Like... It's very divisive.

Someone's at the top,
someone's at the bottom.

No teacher does
that in classroom.

Like, "You're the star pupil,
and you're down here."

Yeah. No.

So, are we surprised who's
on the top of the pyramid?

My God. I would have been shocked
if someone else had been there.

That would have been
surprising. Mm‐hmm.

I'm not surprised
who's at the top.

I think they get mad

because my kid
is the star. She is

the most talented girl there.

And if anybody has
any problems with me

I'm just going to
ignore it this year.

I'm here for my daughter,
and I'm not here to make friends.

Half step. Switch foot. Good.

And then we're going to take
that piece from the old dance

that we did last year,
and let me see that hip, hip, hip. Go.

This is my favorite part.

When all the
moms are watching our group,

it's obvious that they
watch my daughter,

because she is the star,
and your eyes

just go go directly to her.

What's up with Maddie?

She doesn't feel well, at all.

Like, she went like this.

If she pukes,
I'm not cleaning it.

Maddie,
I know you're not feeling well,

but suck it up.

We've got to get through this,
okay?

She looks green practically,

- and pale. That's awful.
- She's crying.

From the top.

Five, six, seven, eight.

And hip, hip, hip, hip.

Sweetie, why‐why the tears?

Because my stomach's hurting.

See that picture?

That's the position
you need to be in.

You get too emotional.

You have to worry about the win.

Got it? No mishaps.

Five, six, seven, eight.

Don't tell me she's dancing.

♪ ♪

Switch.

I have to go check on Maddie.

It looks like she's
gonna throw up.

Go. Stop crying.

Stop acting like this.

My stomach hurts.

You feel like you're
gonna have to throw up?

You look like you
were gonna throw up.

No.

Okay,
stop crying. It's making it worse.

I want to go home.

What do you mean? You never leave dance,
Madd.

No. My stomach

just started to hurt,

and I don't know why.

You never miss dance.

You looked like
you were gonna throw up.

No.

Okay,
stop crying. It's making it worse.

Maddie wasn't feeling well.

Her stomach hurt really bad.

She was crying.

I can't stand a
child that's sick.

I want to go home.

What do you mean? You never leave dance,
Madd.

Maddie is a perfectionist
in everything she does.

You never miss dance.

Let's go.

She got sick maybe two years ago

at dance,
but she's never missed a day

of dance.

♪ The jet will fly
into the circus rock ♪

♪ Everyone is passing
'round the Aftershock ♪

♪ Party, party, party,
hope this lasts forever... ♪

Maddie works so hard, because

to make it to Broadway
or to a TV show,

you really need to focus
on dance all the time,

so we never stop.

Up, down, down. Switch,
split, step in.

Ball change.

And three, four, five.

We are only three days away
from competition in Phoenix.

This week, Maddie,
Chloe and Paige are doing a trio

in the musical theatre genre.

Do I understand? Yes.

Knees together,
Paige. You're bowlegged.

You need to fix that. Come on. Five,
six, seven, go.

Sharper, Paige. Hit, hit.

You're tall, you're skinny,
you're a beautiful girl.

You can do better than this.

Focus on your technique.

Shoulder down, legs straight,
feet pointed. Let's go.

People think I'm tough,

and I guess I am,

but I'd rather be the one
that makes your child cry

in the privacy of my studio

instead of crying in
front of 800 people

at an open audition.

Sloppy foot.

You're right in the middle of the stage,
Paige.

♪ My 15 minutes of fame ♪

♪ I want it, I want it ♪

♪ My 15 minutes of fame ♪

Stop. ♪ I want it, I want it. ♪

I want to be
the first one that tells them.

I want to fix their
shoulders and their ribcage,

distended neck, their turnout,

everything that's wrong
before somebody else

in the professional
world has to tell them.

Paige, come here.

I'd have your head on a platter,
yes?

Do you understand? All right.

Man up. Get out there.

If I see flaws that
haven't been corrected,

I correct them. That's my job.

And sometimes, that's offensive.

I think that's where
the tough comes in,

but it's like tough love.

Here comes my baby.

Oh... She makes me want to...

Don't cry, angel.

Abby was so... Shh.

It's okay. It's okay.

Don't worry about it.

These are my two daughters.

This is Paige. She's ten,
and Brooke is 13.

Improv. One, two...

I'm very proud of my daughters.

Brooke has been winning
awards since she was six years old,

and Paige, also, last year,

she won first
place for interview.

I'm want to show
you guys something.

This is Mommy

when she was your age, Brooke.

I was a dancer
when I was younger.

I have been with Abby
since I was two and a half.

I have danced with
her for 37 years,

and I think that's why
when I had two girls,

I couldn't wait for
them to be dancers.

I want to try competitive
cheerleading.

Do you know how many
kids in your class would like

to be Junior Miss
Dance of Pennsylvania?

I don't want Brooke
to quit dance,

because she's 13,

and that's when
all the trouble starts.

I mean, when you were younger,

you used to get first
place all the time.

Like, does it matter to you

that you're not getting
first and second anymore?

Not really.

I hope that my daughters
appreciate everything

I do for them for dance.

I mean,
I put a lot of time in it,

and a lot of times,
they're mean to me,

and don't show me
that they appreciate it,

but I think, deep down inside,
I know that they appreciate it.

That's her.

That's her.

Four, five, six,

- seven, eight. - I'm optimistic

that Nia will have a
great year. I want nothing

but the best for her,
but I also know

that Abby's
looking at last year's

Nia!

Close and taut arms.

I do worry that

Nia won't have a fresh slate.

New year,

same old, same old.

Nia has a lot

of confidence, and I think

Nia has a lot of
ability and talent.

My goal for Nia
this year is really

for Nia to grow as a dancer.

Hi, Ab. This is Holly.

I went to Carnegie‐Mellon
for my masters,

and I'm currently at
University of Pennsylvania,

and I'm also a principal.

People say I look
like Michelle Obama.

That's awesome to be
equated to the first lady.

I'll take that compliment any day,
absolutely.

I expect Nia, this season,
to have an amazing year in dance.

Ideally,
we would love for her to have a title win.

This is my crown,

but I just bought it
because I had to have one.

I haven't won one in dance.

You haven't won it yet,
but it's coming, right? Yeah.

Yeah, it's coming. Nia is not

a featured dancer,
and that continues to be

an issue, and I don't want Nia
to always be the backup dancer.

You're going over
there. It's forward!

Abby can be tough.

She knows her business very,
very well.

I think she produces
excellent dancers,

but she demands a lot.

Okay, Nia, Nia, let me see you.

I am not a doormat,
and people cannot walk over me,

and they cannot
walk over my child.

And that's where
we draw the line.

Oh, give me a hug. I love you.

One day, it will be

her turn to shine.

Pull. I have no hands. Pull.

Okay. Oh, my goodness.

Oh, yes.

Hi. Oh, that hand's wet.

Sorry. Oh, that's okay.

Hi, sweetie.

Hi. What's your name?

Vivi. Hi, Vivi.

We want to sign up for classes,
and we want to do competition.

Dance has been in my life
since I've been three years old.

My mom danced,
my grandma danced, so,

Vivi has to dance.

I think you like dance.

Five, six, seven,
eight. Get it up. Two, three.

I own

Candy Apples Dance Center.

I have been a dance instructor

since 1998.

And four, five.

This is what you
keep forgetting.

Why do you keep
forgetting this? Just

twist, twist.

Ugh! Ugh!

I am absolutely
loaded with quirks.

I love bunnies.

They're soft, and they're cuddly,
and they're cute.

I like carrots, too.

I think carrots are neat,

because they go
hand‐in‐hand with bunnies.

Pink is my ultimate favorite color,
and

I like to say that pink is not a color,
but

it is a way of life.

I don't like pink.

I'm an older mom...

You.

...who is very interested in...

Am I allowed to say it?

Botox and Restylane.

It's important that I look good,

because I don't want people
to think that I'm Vivi's grandma.

You'll like me.

I'm flamboyant, and I'm funny,

but just don't push my buttons,

and we won't have
any altercations.

With Vivi being six,

and I've coached her now
since she's been 18 months old,

I think that it's time that
we bring somebody else in,

because if I say
something to Vivi,

and she's gonna bust out in tears,
my heart

is gonna break,
because I don't want to do that to Vivi.

But if another coach says to her,
"Look, Vivi,

you've got to straighten
your knee on that Y‐scale..."

And that's... You
have no options.

I own Candy Apples Dance Center.

Does that ring a bell?

Oh, so you're the dance teacher?

I am the dance
teacher. I'm sorry.

And this is... your daughter?

This is my daughter.

So you're here as the mom?

I am here as the mom.

Not the dance teacher? No,
I'm...

You're not looking for a job?

Oh, no. Okay, okay.

Yet. All right.

We just wanted
to give her a boost.

I would like to see
her compete with you,

this weekend. This weekend?

This weekend. Um...

we can do it. We can do it.

Okay. Can't we? We...

You go,
girlfriend. We can do it.

Moms come from all
over to bring their children to me.

They want to be a part of
the Abby Lee Dance Company.

They come for me.

Do you want
to do tricks first? Want to lay

on your tummy and show me
touch your feet to your head?

I see Vivi having

some talent.

And she's extremely flexible.

She's got a beautiful point.

I'm hoping she has
a dancer's body.

How about your front limber?

Uh....

Handstand. To a backbend.

No.

No?

We actually prepared
a little piece for you to see,

it's just a little duo that
we started this year,

but she'll just do it as a
solo for you? Is that okay?

Okay,
that's... you want to do that?

Cathy came into my studio,

and her daughter
Vivi auditioned.

I thought it was ridiculous.

She demanded that she be in
this competition this weekend.

That's not realistic.

There is no way Vivi‐Anne is
ready to compete this weekend.

I need to work with her a
lot more before she's ready.

Here's the thing‐‐
and you know this from

having your own school‐‐ Yes.

I have people that want
to be in the dance company

just to get the outfit.

"The money doesn't matter,
here's my kid,

do whatever you want."

I need Mom to step
out of the picture.

So I'm going to be the teacher,
all right?

You're going to look at me.

Maybe it's just time
for me to be the mom,

and for somebody
else to be the coach.

Mom?

I'll take you out front, Okay.

And we'll get you signed
up and ready. Oh! Okay.

And you're,
you're sure we're good on this?

We are,
we're going to get signed up?

Yep. What do you say?

Go give her a big hug!

I think that Abby is
the one that's going to really

be making out when it comes to

me and Vivi being
a package deal.

I may be just able to
interject with that one little,

"Well,
maybe a ciseaux here would work."

All right? Did you‐‐ okay.

I'll see you soon, Vivi.

I'm going to be able to
bring things to the table.

A‐five, six, seven,
eight and one and two...

Five, six, seven, eight and...

Make sure that your
supporting foot is turning out.

I want everyone to watch.

♪ ♪

Dawn's daughter
was called into my class

for a routine that she
was picked special for,

and she had socks
and a T‐shirt on.

I don't care if you're
taping; I'm going in to kill her.

They were to wear
tights and a leotard.

I made two other children
change their clothes.

Because it's acro‐‐ we're
doing a lot on our knees‐‐

and they have to
be in their bare feet.

May I speak to you a minute?

I want to speak to you.

You don't throw my kid
out of class‐‐ I paid for class.

I'm looking at every single kid out here,
Abby!

They all look like children!

Isn't that crazy,
that children look like children!

She's dressed appropriately!

Yes, I am a minister!

Let's play the Bible game, Abby!

When Jesus saw
things that were wrong,

he went after it!

And I'll tell you what,
you're not gonna do this to my kid!

Out of the room. Out. Out.

Regan? Good‐bye. Out, out.

You're not throwing her out.

Oh, yes,
I am. And you with her. Go.

No, you're not. Yes.

Every week we put
the trash out. Go.

Then take yourself out!

'Cause you're the biggest
piece of trash there is!

You cannot
take acrobatic class in socks.

I told you the clothes to take
are your two‐piece costume.

There's a big difference.
How can you remember that,

and you can't remember
to turn your feet out? Huh?

That's pathetic.

Go somewhere else.
Take your money,

take your kid, take your socks

find another school.

Does it not hit in your head

that maybe you're wrong? No.

Do you not get it?

I don't get it. I
know I'm right.

Why are you right?

It's my building. My name
is on the front of it. So what?!

You keep telling
her how stupid she is.

She's not stupid.
She just can't read.

The... the apple doesn't
fall far from the tree.

Oh, so you're saying I'm stupid?

Are you? Well, you don't...

I've got more education
than you will ever have!

Than you will ever have!

Because I went to school.

Unfortunately,
you didn't. May I have your phone?

Call the police!

Go for it!

Go for it!

I'm sorry,
class. There's a psycho in every batch.

A psycho,
yes. Her name's Abigail Miller!

Hi,
I need police at 7123 Saltsburg.

Are you okay, Dawn?

No, no, no.

Are you okay?

No! I'm not! Okay, shh.

We have a... a parent
that's out of control.

I can't stand her! Shh.

Pardon?

She does not have
weapons. Just her mouth.

Call the police.

Go for it!

Dawn came in the
studio screaming.

She just was going
from room to room.

Pardon?

She does not have
weapons. Just her mouth.

She was just at the brink.

I don't know if
she went outside.

I walked into a room.

My senior company is
warming up in another room

and I went into there.

Bye, Regan. Bye.

Let's go,
guys. Let's get in the other room.

Thank you.

Sorry you had to see that.

We just want
you to leave the property.

All right, you got to go.

Take your daughter
somewhere else then,

if you don't like the
dance company here.

A little shaky.

I have to get myself together.

Get back into rehearsal

and worry about the
competition this weekend.

Every weekend we go

to a new competition.

All this competing is
about the Nationals.

This week happens to be

Phoenix, Arizona.

West Coast Dance Explosion
is an amazing convention

and competition.

It's a big deal.

The stage, the lights,
the sound‐‐

everything is top‐notch.

And they're very,
very qualified judges.

All right,
let's get this luggage moving.

When we walk
in anywhere for a dance

competition, we're like the
glammed‐up Beverly Hillbillies.

I mean, we've got Dream Duffels

and rolling makeup cases
and light‐up makeup mirrors.

Don't just stand there.

Take something out,
ladies. Let's go.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

No. No, no, no, no.

She has two pieces of luggage,
Abby.

She brings it, she carries it.

Remember,
the competition starts right now

when you walk
into this building.

Do you understand me? Let's go.

Every time the Abby Lee

Dance Company
walks into a competition,

they're representing a legacy‐‐

kids who've danced before
them that were amazing‐‐

and so much is at stake because
we don't want to be the ones

who... lose.

Whoa.

Shh.

Ladies.

Library voices.

Okay, listen to me.

I don't want any flip‐flops.

I don't want booty shorts
walking through here.

You make sure you are covered
and dressed appropriately.

Do you understand?

And then Abby
starts with her rules.

"Girls!"

Everyone straighten up.

That's where I'm going.
This is where I'm going.

We were here first, Christi.

Settle down there, hot pants.

Whenever we go to competitions,

it's a whirlwind of hair,
makeup, mayhem.

Who's going to
get the best spot?

Whose hair is going
to get done first?

Who's going to look the best?

It is beyond crazy.

Hey. Hi.

How we doing, guys? Good.

I hate this last‐minute crap,
ladies.

Okay, where are the hats?
Can I see the hats? It looks nice.

I think that's great. No,
that's good.

Look what Christi did. Oh,
oh, okay.

Listen, get them in hair and
makeup and get ready to go.

The fact that the hats
weren't done an hour before

we were going on
stage is very typical.

We are always stoning costumes

five minutes before we go on.

Or doing the hats.

Everything is
always last minute.

Same thing,
over and over, every time we compete.

I told you about the nails.

I don't care if you
have fake nails,

but the nail polish‐‐
the white draws attention

to your hands.

And everybody doesn't have it.

Girls... I told her I
wasn't taking it off.

So why?

Because I just paid
to have them done.

But you... They're French.

It's not like she has pink,
purple nail polish.

I don't think this is where
we're supposed to be going.

I think I was supposed to
be talking about the group

and our dance. Whatever. But...

It's not whatever.

It's not whatever.
You brought it up.

Right. You need to listen to me.

Then you can give me
the $20 to take them off

of her nails and off
of her sister's nails.

Can you hand me my purse?

Give me 20 bucks.

Did you want to get a drink?

Let's sit down and have a drink.

Nobody will know where we
are. We're missing in action.

If she screams at those kids one more time,
I'm gonna lose it.

I know you need to get Maddie seen,
I understand, but it's like

the whole goal of all of us
doing anything is for that.

Oh,
my God. I am not getting Chloe's head shot.

You spend $30
billion to dance for her,

and then you get all over.

Cheers. To dance. To dance.

Wait, can I have another
glass of wine real quick?

Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me.

I cannot believe it.

These moms are ridiculous.

They are in a bar drinking,
and their kid needs to be on stage

in 20 minutes.

Bad Parenting 101.

Good Lord. Hey, what's going on?

We're having a cocktail.

Am I babysitting?
Do you want a drink?

No,
no. I don't drink while I'm working.

Are you two good to go?

Yeah, we're going to
leave in a minute. All right.

We're double
fisted. It's not good.

I don't double fist
when I'm with my kids.

I double fist when
I'm in college.

Oh, you guys,
you're beautiful. Yeah.

Go, just... let's go, let's go. All right,
good‐bye you guys.

Let's go.

Oh, my God,
we're not even allowed to talk.

No more makeup, honey.

You like that makeup mirror.

All right, let's go in here.

Let's check out our
kids and let's go back.

Hello.

I was wondering
where you guys went.

Where were you?

We were at the
bar making friends.

I should have guessed
that's where you were.

Brooke, stay right here.

I'm going to do a couple curls
in her hair and then a couple

curls in your hair. I think I'm
going to hold these hats hostage,

and you guys each have to buy me

one cocktail each
for making the hats.

Oh, kiss my.

I already gave you
your cocktail today.

Oh, my God, are you okay?!

What happened? Oh, my God.

What happened? She walked
right into the curling iron.

She walked right into the curling iron. Oh,
sweetie.

Oh.

It's okay.

It's okay.

What happened?

She walked into
the curling iron.

When we were cleaning
up for the competition,

I was putting away
my curling iron

and I was wrapping up the cord.

And I don't know if I
turned or Paige bent down,

somehow my curling iron
burned Paige on the arm.

Here's some ice.

Here, use this.

The kids and the moms

were just great trying to help her out,
make her laugh

and you know,
make her feel better.

You know,
Holly was getting her ice.

MacKenzie.

It really got her good,
huh, Paige?

You did really get it good.

It's okay. You're going to live.

I think it made
Paige feel a lot better.

I feel so bad.

Don't cry. You did
so good dancing.

Today is the competition,
and it's going to be hectic.

I have a trio,
and a group number.

And next up to the stage,
it'll be Junior Jazz.

The judges are
going to be looking for

flawless technique,
innovative choreography,

perfect precision,

and fabulous costumes.

See those girls down there?

Look at those girls,
with the legs.

You're going to be against them.

So you need to step it up.

We're getting ready
for the group dance.

And I am under a lot of stress.

For parents,
this is an afterschool activity.

For me, it is my livelihood.

Is it in? If it's not in,

when you're ready to go on that stage,
you tell Linda Diamond

or somebody backstage
that you need a bobby pin.

And they'll give you one.
Do you understand me?

Open your mouth and
ask somebody if you need

something backstage.

Chances are,
they have it laying...

or there's probably 10
bobby pins laying on the floor.

It fell out when she
did her side aerial,

it went down. I know.

But that's dangerous.

What if she was at
Radio City Music Hall?

And the thing was open for
the ice skating rink to come out,

and she did a side aerial and
fell 13 stories down and died?

Huh?

Let's go, girls.

I may be perceived as a little
edgy in my teaching methods.

However,
when you walk into my classroom,

it's a professional environment,

and I'm going to
give it to you straight.

Just like you're going
to get it in the real world.

Pay attention to me, yes?

Yes? So turn, so tight,

right around yourself
and get down there.

The one person that can mess
us up backstage is Abby, because

she just always comes
back and like frustrates us.

She's like, "Don't forget your
dances! Straighten your legs,

point your feet,
and you'll be fine."

And so it kind of
makes us really nervous,

and so we don't really like
her being backstage with us.

And next up to
the stage will be Junior Jazz Group‐‐

"Party, Party, Party."

Go, go. Go, go!

♪ ♪

♪ Party, party, party ♪

♪ Let's get on the subway,
hold us on the runway ♪

♪ Hope they didn't
shut the party down ♪

♪ Party, party, party ♪

♪ Now's the time to do it,
we can start a movement ♪

♪ Me and my girls,
you know we rule this town ♪

♪ This place is stretching ♪

♪ My cup is filled
up to the brim ♪

♪ Just once,
I hear you will find ♪

♪ A night that's
filled with sin ♪

♪ The jet will fly
into the circus rock ♪

♪ Everyone is passing
'round the Aftershock ♪

♪ Party, party ♪

♪ Oh, party, party ♪

♪ Hey ♪

Come on, Brooke.

♪ Shut the party down ♪

♪ The flashing lights
are spinning 'round ♪

♪ This isn't cool, man ♪

♪ We just got here ♪

♪ What's with all of
the fascists here? ♪

Come on.

♪ Party, party, party ♪

♪ Let's get on the subway,
hold us on the runway ♪

♪ Wish they didn't
shut the party down ♪

What I'm thinking about

is how much talent

my daughter has,
and how beautiful she is in that dance.

I just find so much joy
when I see her dancing

on stage, and I know she's
going to be a star someday.

♪ Party, party ♪

♪ Party, party ♪

♪ Hey, party, party ♪

♪ Party, party ♪

♪ Hey ♪

Even though the number was easy,
they still did great.

And our girls always win.
No matter where we go,

it seems like we place.

Okay. So, here we go.

We're going to
start with the juniors.

Our Junior Musical
Theatre. In third place,

with a scored of 274, goes to...

"Party, Party, Party."

A second place, with a score...

Um, I was undefeated,

and I won 11 competitions,
and I don't really know

what it's like to lose, like...

I never got third and
lower. I've always got

second and first.

Losing never really feels good.

It's not the greatest feeling.

I really need these
girls to get their act together.

If we end up third place at
the next few competitions,

we're going to be
doomed at Nationals.

"Party, Party,
Party" was such a disappointment.

It's win with the trio,
or go home losers.

We only have till the next
number. We need to hurry!

It had to be raining. I
wore the worst shoes!

Is it good? Yes, it was good.

You did great.

Go. Fast. As fast as you can.

What am I doing? What am I
doing? It was at the beginning?

They've never lost. Ever.

We are not used to this,
it doesn't feel good.

We're used to coming in and
winning. I get a little nervous

about the trio now.

The pressure's on.

They're well‐prepared.

The only thing they
need to worry about is

their performance.
If they go out

and do it like you
know they can do it,

they'll do well. We're
still a little nervous.

Oh!

Come on, girls!

♪ ♪

♪ My 15 minutes of fame ♪

♪ I want it, I want it ♪

♪ My 15 minutes of fame ♪

♪ I want it, I want it ♪

♪ My 15 minutes of fame ♪

♪ I want it, I want it... ♪

Oh, my God.

Oh my God, I'm gonna lose it.

Oh! She can't see!

Pull your headband up,
please, darling.

Oh,.

♪ My 15 minutes of fame,
I want it... ♪

Oh my God, I'm gonna lose it.

♪ My 15 minutes of fame... ♪

Chloe's doing her trio,
and her headpiece is falling off.

Oh, my God.

She can't even see right now.

♪ I want it ♪

♪ My 15 minutes of fame ♪

♪ I want it, I want it ♪

Oh,
now it's right in front of her mouth. Oh...

Oh, poor girl.

♪ My 15 minutes of fame ♪

♪ I want it. ♪

It's okay. Listen to me,
you did great.

She's not nervous at all,
it was awesome!

I know, you did great.

You, you, you, get off stage.

You, I will deal with later.

Go!

What's your deal?

We need to talk.

Go.

It came forward. What
did you want me to do?

You're in the bar
having a drink,

and her headpiece
is falling off.

Her headpiece didn't fall off,
It fell. Yes it did.

It came forward. Whatever.

It didn't fall on the
stage. Whatever.

She's fine. She's fine?

It's my number. It's
my name. It was fine.

It was fine. They
didn't miss a beat.

Winning means a lot to me,
because it feels really good,

and it feels like, ooh, yay!

I never get tired of winning.

Okay, teams, listen up!

Starting off, in duo‐trio,

a second place‐‐ they
scored 266‐‐ goes to "Money."

Abby,
mistakes happen. We're human.

You are! Mistakes like
that don't happen to me.

I'm not going to have
you treat me like this.

I'm an adult.

Act like one!

You act like one! Get
your act into shape.

You're screaming at me
in front of all these people.

You screwed up. If you're gonna
come on the trip, she's yours.

Stay out of the bar,
stay in the dressing room.

When she goes on stage,
the headpiece

is sewed in the head.

Do you understand?

Next time, have it right.

Yeah. I'm not going
to put up with this.

Remember, I pay your bills.

You work for me.

I pay you to teach
my daughter dancing.

I'm not going to have
you treat me like this.

Our remaining
overall high score duo‐trio‐‐

with a score of 282 out of
a 300‐‐ first place goes to

Abby Lee Dance
Company: Pin Up Girls!

We won
first place with our trio,

and that means we were the best.

Whoo!

It'll never happen
again. It better not.

That's right. This
conversation is over. I'm done.

And you pay your bill late,
by the way.

I do not pay my bills late. Yes,
you do. Yes, you do.

We'll talk.

Christi is
going to be the death of me.

That woman is going
to cause her child

to be expelled from my studio.

I don't know how much longer

I can put up with Abby.
I don't care if Chloe

ever dances again. I can't put
up with this woman anymore.

The new number will be hot,
it's gonna be sexy.

Guess she's setting us up for
another Maddie‐Chloe showdown.

Chloe is my biggest competitor.

I think I'm a little
bit better than her,

because I've won many awards.

That was over the top.

Inappropriate for little girls.

Smacking her butt? And...

When a parent opens their mouth,
they are ruining their child.