[music playing] ABBY LEE: All right,
Sarah, you have two days to learn a routine. So I need you to be smart, and
I also need you to be amazing. Sarah's routine is
entitled "Sun Goddess." It has a lot of
acrobatic tricks in it. And Sarah is one of three
soloists I have been rehearsing to go head-to-head
for Nationals. [music playing] (SINGING) --open sea. You will guard the garden
gates and open up to me. The kid is on cloud nine. And the goal for Sarah,
I know for my daughter, was to always dance
with your kids. And, I mean, look at my child. She hasn't stopped smiling
since she's walked in the door. I'm so excited that
this is our week. But Sarah definitely
has something to prove. None of the other
select ensemble girls placed higher than
a third place. So Sarah needs a win. ABBY LEE: Cross it over. Dun, dun, dun. Whoa! You OK? You sure? Tell me if you're not. Up! Knee! Chin stand! I don't think her
feet look good. That drives me crazy! Arch! Pretty! Down! Up! Get up! You're a whole set of
steps behind schedule. [music playing] Nia, you're doing spoken
word in a competition. Risky. Then make Maya Angelou proud. Sarah, you're a
guest here today, but you are going out there
representing the Abby Lee Dance Company. Nail every step. Do what you have
been taught to do. ABBY LEE: None of the
select ensemble members seem to be winning with a
solo, so Sarah really needs to prove herself to me today. This solo is her one
shot for nationals. That's all she's got. ANNOUNCER: Please welcome to
the stage Sarah, "Sun Goddess." [applause] [music playing] (SINGING) I will sound the
sirens of the wide and open sea. You will guard the garden
gates that open up to me. I am your goddess. I will sew your soul
incision so you are complete. When you've lost your way, I'm
motion underneath your feet. Goddess! I am your goddess! I am your goddess! I am your goddess. Goddess! [cheering and applause] TRACEY: I'm really
proud of Sarah. She did take Abby's corrections. She applied them, but Sarah
looked a little nervous. So, Kate, what did you
think of the solos? My honest opinion? Yes. I thought that
Sarah had sloppy feet. Her transitions were not smooth. And she had no connection
to the judges, whatsoever. That's your opinion,
but thanks for your input. KATE: She asked my opinion. I'm giving you-- I'm
giving you my opinion. But you said nothing
nice about my child. All you did was say three
mean things about my child. Abby was-- ABBY LEE: I asked her opinion. I asked her what to say. I know that you're fighting
for your daughter for a space and a spot on this team. And I am, too, for my daughter. ABBY LEE: Well, the select
team is still up in the air. I got rid of Ava. I don't want her. It didn't work out. I'm testing Sarah this week. Just don't tell other
people that I invite to my studio what's going on. Because you don't
run my business. And I don't pretend to. I just want to know what
she needs to do, Abby. What-- what more can Sarah do? It always comes down to
straightening your knees and pointing your feet. Doesn't it? We'll see how it goes,
but it's my business. I can invite anybody. I can throw anybody out. Tracey needs to realize,
first and foremost, this is my studio. Her daughter is not the only
one auditioning for me today. And if Sarah does win, do I
really want another mother who's going to be disrespectful
and question my every decision? This is the last routine
before nationals. ANNOUNCER: We have the
overall solo category. Fourth place, Sarah,
"Sun Goddess." [applause] TRACEY: Sarah's announced
as fourth place. Sarah is obviously devastated. This is her dream,
to be on this team. I don't know what
this means for her. Sarah, I think that you
could have danced better. I'm going to let you go. Tracey, you're done. What does this mean? Pack up Sarah's stuff. I will be in touch with you. Is anyone going to
stick up for Sarah? Don't you guys want Sarah here? I mean, we like Sarah. Whoa. Wait a minute. This has nothing to do
with liking a child. Don't even go there, woman. She wants to be here. I brought her to a
competition and she got beat. I'm gone. Sarah! This is ridiculous. This is not what
I signed up for. Two down, five to go. All these new moms
tell us they're are going to be different. They're going to
move to Pittsburgh. I can tell you how each
one of their stories is going to end each week, and
it's with the door hitting them on the ass on the way out. <i> JoJo, you're back.</i> You got the invitation
that I wanted you to
stay another week. Abby:<i>
I made a decision that
JoJo should come back.</i> <i> She can be
sometimes rude.</i> But can she get on stage
and be fabulous? Yes. <i> She has that
extra little spark.
That's great for Los Angeles.</i> I think the kids can learn
something from JoJo. Girls, welcome back.
This is the last week The group routine
is called "Frozen Together." <i> This is the last week
before Los Angeles,
California.</i> <i> I think it's time
to start working,
because this group dance</i> must be amazing. <i> Spread apart.</i> <i> You need to be pretty,
and you're frozen.</i> You're the frozen ice queen
that's freezing everybody, <i> and you are
the little sister
that's looking for her.</i> The group routine
this week <i> is inspired by
the Disney movie "Frozen."</i> <i> And they need to buckle down.
I don't want another
second place.</i> <i> They can't go
to California as</i> the biggest loser
on the stage. Doing this competition
team on this side <i> of the country
is stressful enough.</i> <i> Going to L.A,
a new studio,</i> and competing every weekend
as well as auditioning, <i> we're biting off way more
than we can chew.</i> Nia hardly gets Abby's attention
as it is. <i> Could you imagine going
out to L.A.-- what it's
going to be like</i> everything else going on? All right, let's see it
one more time. <i> ( music playing )</i> <i> JoJo,
turn that passe out!</i> Plie! Push!
Posture on the ground! <i> Posture! JoJo!</i> Kira, were you making fun
of JoJo's voice today? I was imitating on
what she said the girls,
it wasn't making fun of her. What were you
making fun of her for? She doesn't give a ( bleep )
what anyone does! You just yelled at me
last week for, "We don't talk about it
in front of the kids." - I was just saying the truth.
- You would be pissed. You don't say it
in front of the kids,
and that's the bottom line. So you have
a double standards? Jessalyn:<i>
Of all the moms here,</i> <i> I thought Kira
would have my back.</i> I've known her for a long time.
For her to make fun of JoJo,
that's wrong. I think you guys just can't
believe that I'm still here
and JoJo's still here. No, I actually can't
believe it because-- Actually, I don't
give a ( bleep )
who's here. Learn how to
give a ( bleep ). -<i> Learn how to show up!</i>
- Learn how to be respectful... - I am, Kira.
- ...mindful, grateful... - I am, Kira. I am.
-<i> ...and a guest.</i> I think you instigate
and you stir the pot. You plant seeds
and you say things, <i> and then you just
let it just explode.</i> Kira made fun of JoJo
in front of her. Holly, can you
teach some manners? I think some
people can't be taught.
School's out. No class. - You ready for Hollywood?
- Always. Abby's like,
"I don't know
if you're going." Or "I don't know what's
going on with you." I can tell
she likes you. JoJo wants to dance.
She wants to work.
It's who she is, <i> and I give her a lot of credit
for wanting to stick it out</i> and try to, essentially,
win Abby's heart over. I still can't even believe
we're in Pittsburgh. How long do you want
to stay here for? - Forever.
- Forever? I don't know. Just stay here
as yourself, though. Don't stay here as
someone you think
she wants you to be. Okay. I want to do big things--
do movies, do commercials,
but I would like to
be on Abby's team, and I would
like to travel with them
and do the competitions. I know I can do it. Now you're ready. Are you guys gonna
be okay with it if
JoJo goes to L.A? I don't have a choice.
I'm fine. Whatever. I think Abby knows
JoJo would do well <i> if she could
take her out there.</i> For a person who's not
even really a member
of the team, to expect that there should
or could be a space <i> moving to L.A,</i> that seems like
a really big jump to make. It's okay if you guys
are threatened by JoJo
being here. -<i> It's okay.</i>
- ( laughing ) Holly:<i>
Jess's opinions are
really irrelevant to me.</i> <i> I am not going
to give Jess</i> the satisfaction
of seeing me upset. She's not
an Abby girl, though. Oh, I think
Abby likes her. <i> -All right, girls,
do the group dance.
-( music playing )</i> <i> Use your faces.
Let those judges see
pretty faces.</i> <i> Tell the story,
Maddie.</i> <i> ♪ Your Northern Lights,
fish can swim ♪</i> <i> ♪ And in a great flurry </i> -<i> ♪ Nights... </i>
- Abby:<i> Late, JoJo!</i> She looks like she's
thinking too much -<i> about the next move.</i>
- Melissa:<i> She's watching.</i> She watches people
in the mirror. Abby:<i>
JoJo, sickled right foot!</i> Abby:<i>
Some kids just aren't
good group dancers.</i> <i> They want to be stars.
They want to be soloists.</i> To be a successful
working dancer, you need to dance
with everybody. JoJo can't do that. What should we do?
I need to make a decision
about JoJo. <i> Or Miss USO.
Is that really a costume?</i> - Melissa:<i> Did you hear
that kid say that?</i>
- I'm, like, wow. You see, that's where you
crossed the line. She's finished.
Thank you. Go upstairs and tell your mother <i> that I don't think
you're in the group dance.</i> She said, "JoJo,
go tell your mother that you're probably not
gonna be in the group dance." But the part she says
I'm late on, I'm not
even late on. Don't you let her
make you cry. She's not worth it. Jessalyn:<i>
Personally, I think Abby
doesn't have her act together.</i> Like, who takes JoJo
out of a dance? Seriously. No one takes
JoJo out of a dance. Now, JoJo was not handling
the group choreography too well.
She was a beat behind. I think she does
just fine with your girls. You, "just fine"
is good enough. - Me, I don't like "just fine."
- No, I'm just as critical
as you are. <i> I don't like "just fine."</i> I want "fabulous." No one is perfect.
No one is. I'm not looking
for perfection. <i> That's not the point.
We're looking for</i> - a kid that's gonna book a job.
-<i> Right.</i> JoJo will book a job.
You take her to L.A,
she will book a job. - How do you know that?
- I know that. - And they will like her.
- How can you be so sure
of that? I gave up a lot
to be here for
these two weeks. Oh, I don't want to hear
what you gave up. If you feel you're
giving something up,
forget about it. You're getting something,
sweetheart. Jill:<i> What is going on here?
Abby is totally on edge.</i> I don't know what
Abby's up to. <i> All I know is
it's making me nervous.</i> JoJo! Have you learned nothing? Do not address her
until she learns to say "Excuse me"
when two adults
are speaking. Kira:<i>
I'm the first one to call out
JoJo's bad behavior,</i> but clearly, something
is up with Abby, 'cause she had no reason
to lash out on JoJo like that. - Melissa:<i> Why was Abby mad?</i>
- I think Why was Abby mad? Did you look at the program
and see anyone you notice? I think she's worried
about who's gonna come <i> and try to beat Maddie.</i> I think it's something
on social media. This is why
I'm a little upset. When we got here, and Gianna
turned the music in and got
the program, Kendall and Maddie were
in the teen division. because it's
12 to 14 here. She's 11 years old.
She isn't even close
to a teen. - Neither is Maddie.
- Barely 12. Why would they be
in the teen division? Her birthday's in December,
so she would've turned already. <i> Melissa:
Is our group a teen?</i> Yes. So our group is
a teen group as well? This competition's teen division
starts with age 12. Luckily, JoJo's birthday
keeps her a junior, <i> but Maddie and Kendall
both have to compete</i> <i> in the teen division
against much older dancers.</i> <i> That's awful.</i> <i> And it pushes
our group routine</i> into the teen division, too. Not good. A child never
has to dance older than they are. <i> I don't believe that.</i> Abby:<i>
When you do that arabesque,</i> your back leg
is not beside you. <i> It's behind you.
It's turned under.</i> We're competing
in the teen group. <i>This number needs to be amazing
in order to win.</i> Maddie, it's all about you
if we're going to win today. Jessalyn:<i> Abby,
if you replace one of your
older dancers with JoJo,</i> it'll drop it
down to junior. An older teen, or... do you mean Nia? Holly:<i> And if you were to accept
Abby's decision as
a team member...</i> Just giving her
choices. My kid has gone through
so much this week, <i> and then Jess had
the audacity</i> <i> to suggest that Nia
be pulled from the dance</i> <i> so JoJo can
take her place?</i> That's a ludicrous
statement. JoJo, would you really
want Nia not to dance
at all today? - No, I...
- Would you really think... JoJo didn't say a word.
I said it. Jill:<i> But she's saying "Nia."
Honey, just stop now.</i> If you guys want to
go to L.A. on a win, maybe it should
be a junior. Holly:<i> Enough.</i> Aren't these moms all about
putting the team first? What's more important, Nia's
feelings or the team winning? - JoJo:<i> Miss Abby?</i>
- Yes? So am I doing
the group dance? No. You don't blend well
with others. JoJo:<i> Okay.</i> We have to go.
Let's go. Let's do it. I'm shocked that Abby
didn't pull Nia. I think the group dance
would be amazing in the
junior category, but I think they're
gonna get eaten alive
in the teen category. They look like babies. Announcer:<i>
Next up is act number 72,</i> <i> "Frozen Together."</i> <i> ( music playing )</i> <i> ♪ I could walk </i> <i> ♪ Your mountains </i> <i> ♪ For miles </i> <i> ( vocalizing )</i> <i> ♪ And see your eyes </i> <i> ♪ Landscape ice </i> <i> ♪ Your Northern Lights </i> <i> ♪ Staying frozen </i> <i> ♪ Wind, the river melts </i> <i> ♪ And flows
underneath the ice ♪</i> <i> ♪ So that </i> <i> ♪ The fish can swim </i> <i> ♪ And in a great </i> <i> ♪ Flurry </i> <i> ♪ And I realize </i> <i> ♪ I need nothing else </i> <i> ♪ And in a great </i> <i> ♪ Flurry </i> <i> ♪ And I realize </i> <i> ♪ I need nothing else </i> <i> ( vocalizing )</i> <i> ♪ Just close your eyes. </i> Holly:<i>
The kids danced amazing,</i> <i> but it's definitely the same
old dance and choreography,</i> and I don't know if
it's enough to beat their
much older competition. And I would hate to go to L.A.
on a two-week losing streak. The teen small-group
category... Jill:<i>
This number needs to win.</i> We cannot leave Pittsburgh for<i> L.A. without a win.</i> For third overall, act number 70,
"Impossible." <i> Our second overall...</i> goes to act number 72,
"Frozen Together." Holly:<i>
It hurts to see the girls
lose two weeks in a row.</i> We're supposed to be gearing up
for this big adventure in L.A, <i> and now we're
on a losing streak?</i> <i> I just hope this doesn't
eat away at the girls
as we head to L.A.</i> [music playing] ABBY: Hello. CATHY: Hi, Abby. ABBY: How are you are
you ready to work? Uh-huh. ABBY: When Vivi-Anne came to
work on her solo, her mother, Cathy, dropped her off
because she was going to have lunch with Melissa. And I was thrilled to get rid of
Cathy for the hour and a half. All right.
- OK. I'll talk to you later.
- Bye, honey! OK.
Thanks, Cath. Have fun. Vivi is cute. She's a nice little girl. But she's not at the level
that Cathy thinks she is. I don't know if privates with
me are really what she needs. But, hey, if the checks
clear, let's do it. Good. Chassé, sauté. Chassé-- knee, knee--
one more, four. Vivi is not strong
in acrobatics. To the right.
To the right. To the right. Her jumps, her leaps
are not as strong. And she hasn't learned
a lot of the things. Step right, kick left. Start over. She's dancing at a five,
six-year-old level instead of a seven, eight, nine. Vivi needs to step it up. You have to keep
her knees together. She just needs to be in class
day after day after day. Once she's with
the dance company, she's going to be
more independent. And now we'll see if
Cathy can handle that. All right.
Let's take it from the top, kid. [music playing] CATHY: I decided to invite
Melissa to lunch today. Information is power. And I think if Melissa
wants to be my friend, then I can get some very useful
dirt about the other dance moms. Now do you know
the other husbands, like Christi's husband and-- Yes. What do they do
professionally? Kelly's husband, he works
for a family business. And then what about
Christi's husband? Christi's husband works
for Children's Hospital. - Oh, really?
- Yeah. He's like, a--
- Is he a doctor? - No.
- Oh. - He's a writer.
- Oh. I'm not really sure. And then what about
Holly's husband? What does he do? He just got a new job. He was working in, like,
nonprofit organizations. OK. So what does your husband do? I'm-- I'm going through a
divorce right now, so I'm not-- Oh. Yeah. Yeah. The girls are OK
with the divorce? Mm-hmm. Melissa did not tell
me that she was living with another man who was
paying for her daughter's dance lessons. I got that from the other
moms, so I already knew that. It doesn't seem, Melissa, like
you're like really, really, really close with some
of those other moms. No. You can't trust anybody. [music playing] CATHY: Melissa's in charge of
scheduling private lessons, so I may need a favor
from time to time. I told her if she needed to talk
about anything that she could definitely come
and confide to me. But I'm busy. I'm not going through a divorce. I have a new BFF. I think so, too! [laughs] CATHY: I feel sorry
for people that are going through divorces,
but I'm happy with my life. Thank you.
It was wonderful. Thank you. We'll be back.
We'll be back. Hi, guys.
Hi, ladies. Hi, Melissa.
MELISSA: Hi. I'm Rita.
MELISSA: Hi. Hi. I have "My Pumps" first,
and that's Vivi-Anne. Right? ABBY: No. It's not "My Pumps." It's called "Bumblebee." "Bumblebee?" But what's-- Yeah. You want to come in me? What is this? That's what I'm
confused about. We need to-- OK. Cathy. CATHY: Yes? What is with this
little "Rock It" music? Um-- Vivi was uncomfortable
with the solo that we worked on because she had such
a lack of rehearsal time. And so we are going to go ahead
and do a piece that she already knows. ABBY: Our whole team is
there to root for Vivi-Anne, so that she feels like
part of the company. Cathy informs me that she's
going to do another routine. I'm like, what? I'm just going to change
this to independent entry. You're doing what? You're changing
it to independent? Yes. She's not going to be
going underneath your name? I didn't do this number. But she's-- but she's
going to be representing you. Not with a number I didn't do
in a costume I didn't design. OK. Can I see you outside, please? We kind of went against
the philosophy of Abby, so consequently we had
the wrath of Abby upon us. Please, we need to change this
independent thing because it's important to us. I have never seen
her even do the number. I know. You're going to
have to trust me. Abby, listen to me. I'm not one of these dance moms. Yeah, I'm Vivi's mom and
we're involved in dance, but I'm not that
hysterical dance mom. I know what is correct
to take to stage. You and I are over here. And if I have to make
an executive decision, then you have to trust me
just as I will trust you. Cathy, I came through. I got the costume finished. The dance was finished. Any other kid, whether their
mother is a dance teacher or their mother's
a swimming coach, would have had that
dance nailed down. She could not do a dance that
Abby Lee Miller has never seen and pretend she came
from Abby Lee Miller. I have to put into perspective
what my child's mental capacity is, that if she--
- I don't-- --gets up on stage
and she cracks-- I don't want it to be
detrimental for any child. But I'm just saying, you don't
have the faith in your kid that I do. If you would have just ran
it maybe 10 times a day for three days-- We tried with the bribery. We tried with getting
her to get an iPad. You don't need to bribe her.
You're the mommy. - I know that.
- Just say, you're doing it. I realize that. - I want to see her dance first.
- OK. So you will-- Give me that respect. And when she goes out for
awards I want her and something red and black or a costume. OK.
Then she'll go out in costume. ABBY: Moms that go against
me don't last very long. They are hurting their children. [music playing] CATHY: In changing Vivi's
solo, I knew the response I was going to get from Abby.
Face! Face! Her and I are going to
have to work together. Clear it up and step. Look. She likes to say that
I'm her colleague. Three, four, guns! I may have to have
special favors that's different than the other moms. [laughs] That woman is crazy! Shake.
Shake. Shake.
Shake. Shake.
Back. Keep going. The eyelashes are up here. Let me see your eyelashes. ABBY: She has bodyguards that
are silver and gold and brown and black, all in
the kid's head. She's a hot mess. And my name and my
reputation are on the line. [music playing] CATHY: You ready? [cheering and applause] You ready? ANNOUNCER 1: Number 431
featuring Vivi-Anne Stein, "This Little Girl's Now." [cheering and applause] CATHY: Shake it out. [music playing] And walk, two, three, four,
five, six, seven-- four, five, six, seven, eight. One, two, three, out, five six-- high kick. ABBY: When I'm judging, I look
at the level of difficulty. Scoot back! ABBY: I think that Vivi-Anne is
capable of doing more difficult choreography than she was given. [cheering and applause] [laughter] Oh, you made one boo-boo. It's OK. It's OK. ABBY: I am going to pry
her away from her mother. I am going to cut
those apron strings. And I am going to make
that child a better dancer. [music playing] ANNOUNCER 2: At
this time, I would like to have the following young
ladies please step forward. Number 431, Vivi-Anne. [cheering and applause] Good job. Congratulations. And who taught you this number? And the name of
your dance studio? Vivi-Anne said
her mother's studio. I don't know if
that was on purpose or if her mother didn't rehearse
her on Abby Lee Dance Company. I apologize. Not all competitions
ask those questions. And I just didn't even think
about it, so I apologize. All I have in this
world is my name. Whether it be in a--
CATHY: It won't-- - --in a local competition or--
- It will not happen, again. --in a Broadway
audition, it is my name. I know, Abby, and it
won't happen, again. OK.
- Because that was embarrassing. You need to move on.
We're going to move on. We moved on from the-- (SINGING) We can
move-- yeah, look. Look.
ABBY: --from the wrong costume. We can move on. We've moved on from
the wrong outfits. - We're moving on up.
- We've moved on-- I know, but Cathy-- - Abby, Abby, I know.
- --this is my name. - I know how you are.
- OK. I know how you are.
I know. Abby and I have kind
of been at each other all morning, all because of
this whole choreography thing. We are actually going to
be leaving early today. All right, guys, we
will see you later. HOLLY: Are you leaving?
- Yes. We're leaving.
HOLLY: Oh, I didn't know that. Yeah.
We're going to take off. You're leaving? Yeah, we're leaving. We have a long drive home,
much longer than you guys. But we all came
early to watch her. I know. I know. So we want to use
you guys good luck. I know you'll do a great job.
OK? OK. Good job, Vivi. Thank you. Glad we woke up
at 6 o'clock to-- - Six?
- --support her. Five. I'm offended. Like, I really am offended. I am, too. Those parents are not happy. They didn't have to be
here for another two hours. They could have had
a nice breakfast. They could have
taken their time. But, no, they all
jumped out of bed and ran over here
to support her. And she took off. Oh, my god. [upbeat music] [MUSIC - CASSANDRA KUBINSKI,
"ECHOES"] (SINGING) Drizzle,
drizzle falls the rain. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, up. ABBY LEE MILLER: Ava's doing
a contemporary solo called "Drizzle." Immediately, when I heard the
lyrics talking about the rain drizzling down, that was it. An umbrella. This is really going
to put Ava to the test. Can she handle the pressure
of going up against Maddie? Feel your back working
in your muscles working, trying to
control the umbrella. Yes, good. Think of a big mind
coming, like Mary Poppins. [dissonant music] Ava's excited about her solo. And I'm very proud of
her, because I thought she'd be a little bit nervous. But she's not. She's excited. I think you're more
nervous than her. This is Ava's time. This is Ava's time to
show that she can do it. I would make it very clear
to Ava-- like, her best, of the best, of the best is
probably not designed for her to win. And she needs to know that. Christi seems a little bitter. I refuse to believe that
Ava's being set up to fail. This is Ava's opportunity,
with this solo, to really show Abby that she
can be a strong competitor, for Nationals and now. Use the umbrella. [tense music] Put in your hand. Other hand. Circle it. But it circles. On a technical level,
I know Ava can beat her. The umbrella does concern me. Absolutely. The umbrella concerns
me, because it's huge. Right. It is huge, and there is a
big silver thing sticking out of the side of it. ABBY LEE MILLER: 4-- just put the umbrella
on your shoulder! Quit-- you're holding it
like it's a golf club. [dramatic music] Put it up there. Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh. Oh, my god. Bum. Oh! Ava just poked out her eye! And Maddie, you're dismissed. My biggest concern
this week is Ava. I'm hoping this umbrella is
going to help hide the flaws, but she's having trouble
maneuvering the prop around. If she doesn't fix this,
and isn't fabulous on stage, she won't even be considered
for a solo at Nationals. [MUSIC - CASSANDRA KUBINSKI,
"ECHOES"] (SINGING) Drizzle
falls the rain. ABBY LEE MILLER:
Don't kick the prop. Flexing. [tense music] She's so worried about
opening and closing the umbrella that she's not doing it. Like, Ava doesn't have a choice. She's just going to have to
do the best she can with it. And if it breaks onstage,
it breaks onstage. I-- there's nothing
else I can do. [dramatic music] Oh, oh! The umbrella just broke. I think at this point, I mean--
you know Avis not winning? Like, you do know that? If you don't want her to dance
with it, like stand up for it. There's nothing to lose. Abby doesn't expect her to win. I'm going to go talk to her. I'm curious on why Abby
is not either changing the choreography, or
changing the umbrella. I'm hoping that Abby is at
least open to the options. [tense music] I am concerned-- as a
parent, as a dance teacher, as everything-- because
some of the mistakes that she's making in here,
she doesn't do normally. ABBY LEE MILLER: I know that
she's the daughter of a dance teacher. I'm kind of questioning
your training, though. I think she's so concerned
about that umbrella. She had-- they had
problems with it yesterday. One of the ends came off, and
almost scraped her in the eye. So I think she's
worried about it. I think Jeanette is
more irritating than any of the moms, because she claims
to be a dance instructor. She should sit back
and say, hey, here's one of the best
teachers in the country. I should be grateful for this. But instead, she
sounds like a mom that thinks she knows something. And that is most
irritating of all. [dramatic music] What do you think, Gianna? She doesn't do the solo? GIANNA: Yeah, the solo
comes with the prop. The solo and the prop,
are no-- you're nothing. ABBY LEE MILLER: The solo
and the prop are a thing. Your kid needs a gimmick. Your kid's arms are horrendous. They're like gargantuan. She looks like a praying mantis. They are not horrendous. So-- yes, they are horrendous. So giving her the
umbrella, it all goes away. We don't have to do this. I understand-- Abby. Christi, you sent our
girl into the lion's den. Ava can't do anything
about her long limbs. There's nothing-- Yes, she can! We can control them. We could fix them. The umbrella is
not going anywhere. Out! Go, out. She is on my last nerve. Jeanette, what's the
name of your studio again? Broadway Dance. Maybe the name
should have been, like, Off-off-off-off-off-Broadway. [runway music] ABBY LEE MILLER: Oh, pretty. Oh, I like the
little rhinestones. Oh, very pretty. Wow. So, you two guys are
against each other. But you're both representing me. You're new to the group. You're going up against
a seasoned veteran here. Gianna and I are going
to be watching, yes? It's time to go. All right? Let's go, when you're ready. [dance music] [pensive music] [tense music] She thinks you're good
enough to go up against Maddie. Don't be Maddie, be yourself. But be amazing. Jeanette has not developed
her daughter Ava's arms. So with that, I
chose an umbrella that has some weight to it. So that she would learn
to use her arms correctly, from her back. Can she handle the weight? I don't know. ANNOUNCER: This is going to be
entering number 12, please help me welcome Ava and "Drizzle. Entry number 12. [MUSIC - CASSANDRA KUBINSKI,
"ECHOES"] (SINGING) Drizzle,
drizzle falls the rain. Head down, I finally found the
pain that resonates from inside out tonight. And too many voices from
before, they grow too loud. They're just echoes in my mind. Echoes of a time when the
climb was not so steep. And I'm hoping the
echoes will let me sleep. Because I hear the cheers, the
years I thought I had it all. But champions can't rise. But it won't stop. Calling to me. Echoes in my mind. [suspenseful music] JEANETTE: Ava showed that
she's a true professional. She got out there, something
drastic happened to her prop, and she didn't flinch. She finished a dance
with a smile on her face. That makes a good dancer. [dramatic music] CHRISTI: Your
daughter was a champ! JEANETTE: Thank you. I am so proud of her. Aren't you annoyed that you
said that the umbrella was a problem from the get go,
and it was a problem on stage. JEANETTE: Absolutely. You should hold
Abby accountable. JILL: Here goes Christi
egging Jeanette on. If there's one person on
this team who knows what it's like to confront Abby when
their kid does something wrong, it's Christi. She's setting Jeanette
up for failure. I want to address
the umbrella situation. JEANETTE: We knew it'd break. No! You have this attitude! "We knew it would break!" Listen, honey-- no child of
mine has ever gone on that stage and had that happen,
completely inside out. She did not miss
a beat, and did it with a smile on her face. That is a sign of someone
that can handle the pressure. Well, that's great if
you want to think that. I think it's a kid who didn't
know how to open her umbrella. [tense music] [applause] It's not worth it to put all the
work in, and all the practice in, and then go out and
have something go wrong. So learn from it. You need to buck
up, little camper, because I'm not putting
up with that crap. Sorry. I just really wanted to
do really good for you. And I feel like I kind
of disappointed you. And I never wanted to do that. OK, I have to do this. I'm sorry. Get off your mother's lap. Stand up. Grow up! Abby. You are 11 years old. I can hold her-- Just sitting on
your mommy's lap. Smile, all right? There's a lot of kids in this
world that are not as fortunate as you are. They should be crying,
not you, sweetie. You've got to suck it up, or you
won't be doing the group dance. Your overall, 9 to 11, solo,
regional, elite top three-- third place champion,
puts your hands together for Ava, entry number 12. [applause] JEANETTE: When Ava dances
with me, she gets first place. Is it the choreography? Is it Miss Abby? Is it the props? What is it? Because Ava doesn't
get third place. ever. [triumphant music] Woo-hoo! Yay! [squealing] All right, now. Ava. I gave you the opportunity to
do a solo, and you were third. It's not looking good. I told Jeanette all week how
this was going to end for her and Ava, but that doesn't make
it any easier to watch Ava's heart being broken by Abby. Why? She was on the winning team. I don't think
you're the right fit. Tea', would you like
to stay this week? Yes ma'am, I would. Tammy, you will report
to the studio on Monday. Tea', so will you. Deal. Oh, wait. When I was here, you called
me a traitor when I did that. Yep. I think we all did. We didn't. I wasn't just named. LOREE: OK, but you said
that you wouldn't do it. And now you're saying you would. Tami, you said at lunch
you'd never do that. You're only going to stay
with the select team. Who's the traitor now? Take from this
experience, learn from it. If I see you again, great. If not, make sure I'm
not on the other side of that judging table. [sad music] Let's go. MELISSA: They love
to be with you. Thank you. JEANETTE: I'm done
listening to Christi, because she has no
idea what she is doing. OK. Stop. Take a deep breath. You look at me. You have got everything,
and she is dumb if she does not recognize that.
