On the season premiere of Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition, we were introduced to this season’s 11 competitors from around the country. The dancers competed in a challenge and fame-themed duos and trios.
Abby met with the girls and their moms on their first day in LA. She warned them that this is a fierce competition, but the winner will receive $100,000 in cash and a scholarship to the Jeffrey ballet school.
They started right away with a challenge. After being quickly taught some choreography, the dancers had to perform a combination in front of the judges. Ten-year-old blonde JoJo was eliminated first. After doing the combination several times, Abby had eliminated everyone but 13-year-old Trinity and 12-year-old Kalani. Trinity ended up winning the challenge, and for her prize she got to pick the two other dancers who would be in her trio for the main competition. Trinity chose 13-year-olds Ally and Chloe.
The dancers were sent to start learning their fame-themed dances, and the moms were sent to work on costumes. The moms had to meticulously glue rhinestones onto their daughter’s outfits, but it must have been hard to concentrate with all the fighting. JoJo’s mom Jessaylnn argued with the other moms who called her and her daughter a “circus.”
Meanwhile, all the dancers were struggling to pick up the choreography as fast as they were being taught. Most notably, one of the dances was being choreographed by Anthon, who, any Dance Moms fan knows, used to be a choreographer at Candy Apples. Anthony yelled at the kids, “No, no, no!” when they kept doing a step the wrong way.
After a rough day of rehearsal, it was time for the competition, which is performed for a live audience as well as the judges. In addition to Abby, the other judges this season are Richy Jackson and Rachelle Rak. Richy was looking for a passionate dancer, while Rachelle, who has a background in Broadway, wanted technique as well as sass.
The first dance of the evening was inspired by Madonna, and featured Kalani, Gianna, and McKaylee. The girls wore silver and black costumes and looked completely fierce. That is, until Gianna slipped and fell. Gianna had a quick recovery, though, and the rest of the dance went smoothly.
The next was a Beyonce inspiration with dancers Trinity, Ally, and Chloe. At the end of their number, Abby critiqued their sickled feet and told Trinity, who won the challenge, that it was dumb to let Ally take all the attention in a red costume.
Next, Travis and JoJo danced in a Gene Kelly inspired duet. The pair was adorable, with JoJo in a big hat and Travis in a suit. At the end of the routine, though, the judges reminded JoJo that sometimes less is more.
The final number was the one Anthony choreographed – a tribute to Michael Jackson with dancers Sarina, Haley, and Tyler. At the end of the dance, the judges tore them apart. The dancers weren’t in sync and one even forgot part of the routine.
The judges sent the dancers away so they could deliberate. They agreed that they wish they could duct tape JoJo’s mouth shut. They also said Ally’s feet were too flat, Sarina had bad recovery when she messed up, and Haley was everything that should not be on stage.
When they called the dancers back out, the bottom four were Trinity, Sarina, Gianna, and Haley. Sarina’s mom immediately blamed Anthony for being too tough on the kids. Abby retorted that you do not “throw the choreographer under the bus!” Then, she announced that Sarina was going home.
Next week, the 10 remaining dancers will compete in a Lady Gaga themed show! Catch it at 9/8 c on Lifetime.