Dance Moms Recap: Video Victims

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Last night was the ALDC’s final week in Los Angeles on Dance Moms…somehow I feel like I’ve typed that more than once! As usual, Abby Lee Miller was her normal horribly hateful self…with a few (very few!) moments of compassion. The episode was the battle of the video vixens, except (sadly), in this case, the “vixens” are preteens. Don’t get me started on age appropriateness! Much like MacKenzie was transformed into MackZ, Kendall is no longer Kendall. She’s Kendall K. As she and Jill arrive to the set of her military inspired music video, the first words out of Abby’s mouth are “take that, Holly!” Such class with this one! Abby goes on and on about how Holly has extracted Nia from the group by choosing to work with Aubrey O’Day. Let’s be honest…had she not, is there any one of you who thinks Nia would have gotten the same attention that Abby is now giving Kendall…K? Jill chooses to sleep at night by telling herself that Holly created the ultimate betrayal by not blindly trusting Abby to have her daughter’s best interests at heart. As long as Kendall is finally Abby’s golden child, Jill doesn’t mind potentially losing a friend. I think she’s forgotten just how fickle Abby can be!

At pyramid, JoJo is on the bottom for not standing out in the group routine. MacKenzie joins her for not living up to her potential while in LA. Nia and Kalani make up the middle rung for impressive performances in the group number. Kendall is in the second spot for a stellar video shoot, and Maddie regains her top spot for getting winning the overall solo routine at last week’s competition. This week, Maddie is performing at the Grammys, and she shares that she and Sia have become like family. Kendall and JoJo are granted solos, and JoJo will be dancing in a straight jacket. The group number is entitled Platinum, and Abby likens it to Kendall’s musical future. Nia stands stone-faced, getting zero recognition from her lifelong dance teacher. Abby reveals that this week’s competition will be judged by their peers. 

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As the girls rehearse the group routine, Jill brags that she is Abby’s new BFF. I don’t think that’s something to get so excited about! Jill adds that after her wonderful day at Kendall’s shoot, she’s thrilled for Holly and Nia to have a similar positive experience. Holly beams that she can’t wait to see the producer’s vision, and Jill can’t help but think her friend has become a name-dropper. Kendall K didn’t have any of Aubrey’s famous connections. So, is that Holly’s fault for going with Aubrey or Jill’s issue for staying loyal to Abby? During a break in rehearsals, Nia approaches Abby and says she really wants her to be at her video shoot. Abby accuses Nia of being a sell-out, and Nia stands her ground, responding that she doubts anyone else feels the same. Holly is appalled by Abby’s treatment of her daughter, and while Jill agrees that Abby’s behavior is deplorable, she thinks Holly made her own bed. Nia isn’t ruffled by Abby’s ugliness (she’s got to be used to it by now!), and Holly vows to take her cues from her calmer, more mature, daughter. 

The following day, Kendall is working on her high-speed jazz solo. Abby reminds her that there is a price that comes with being one of her favorites. Kendall tries to implement the critiques that are being hurled at her relentlessly. Jill hopes her daughter will step it up a notch and remind Abby that she’s worth the extra attention. Across town, Holly can’t believe that Nia is being coiffed by Katy Perry’s hairstylist. The video shoot is legit, and she is on Cloud Nine. Nia looks gorgeous, and Holly is documenting every second on social media…probably not the best decision if she’s trying not to make the video situation a competition. Aubrey arrives, gifting Nia with flowers, and Holly unloads on Abby’s behavior. Aubrey admits that she can’t stand Abby, and she feels she’s really showed her true colors. Back at the studio, Melissa is quick to share Holly’s Instagram feed with Abby, and Abby chastises Holly’s willingness to change her daughter’s image so drastically. She doesn’t approve of the transformation, and she won’t have it linked to the ALDC. While I think Nia doesn’t needs to be dolled up like an eighteen-year-old, she looks absolutely stunning, and this video is definitely of a different caliber than Kendall’s. A teary Holly is so grateful that people are finally recognizing and supporting Nia’s great talent. 

Video drama aside, can I just tell y’all how much JoJo has grown on me this season? Her straight jacket number is going to be phenomenal even though Abby has nothing nice to say. Jessalyn takes offense to Abby criticizing JoJo’s technique when the poor girl is trying to dance without using her arms. Melissa interjects (of course she does) to say that Abby is clearly reacting to Nia’s video shoot being broadcast all over social media, and she’s taking it out on their daughters. The moms are shocked at how much Holly is posting, because they totally would have gone radio silent if it was one of their girls. They find a tweet where Aubrey O’Day makes reference to Nia’s video slaying any other Dance Moms music video with the hashtag Team Nia. Holly didn’t want a competition, but her “people” clearly weren’t informed of her wish. Now Jill believes Kendall’s solo is now compromised by the pressure. Kira cites that Holly is doing what she always claims to want to rise above. 

Abby is sharing her new studio space with the ALDC girls, and she shares her vision. The moms wait outside and dish on Holly’s day with Aubrey. When Melissa brings up Aubrey’s post, Holly responds that she didn’t have anything to do with it. She and Jill go head to head, both accusing the other of doing the same thing they are defending themselves against. Abby interrupts to chastise Nia’s costumes in the video, and Holly storms off to cry in the car. I sincerely believe that Holly wanted both Nia and Kendall to shine, but she didn’t realize that she reached a breaking point–and her behavior backfired. Heck, I would have passed that point seasons ago, so kudos to her for lasting so long. It’s easy for Jill to forget just how horribly Abby used to treat Kendall. I just have to keep reminding myself that this is terribly scripted. 

At the competition, the girls are treated like rock stars, and Jill hopes her tension with Holly won’t affect the dancers. Holly excuses herself to take a call from Aubrey, and she shares her frustrations about her friends’ complaints about over-posting. Abby arrives late and agitated, and she lays in on her soloists. They must win. JoJo is first to dance, and I think she is absolutely amazing. JoJo seconds my sentiment. I just hope the tween judges recognize the difficulty level that comes with performing in a straight jacket. Kendall also does a fabulous job, although I don’t love her choreography. Abby credits a strong finish, but she seems to have forgotten bits and pieces of her routine. She leaves the stage in tears, knowing Abby is going to be so mad at her. Abby needs Kendall to suck it up for the group routine. Platinum is beautiful and only proves how talented these girls are as a team. Kendall places fifth in the solo division, and Jill is concerned it could mean the end of Abby’s favoritism. JoJo doesn’t place (she was robbed…those tweens didn’t see what I saw!). Thankfully, the ALDC wins the group competition, and deservedly so. Backstage, JoJo is choking back sobs for disappointing Abby and Gia. However, Abby praises JoJo’s performance, and tells Kendall that she needs to be less of an open book…but there is something to be said about wearing her heart on her sleeve. 

TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF LAST NIGHT’S EPISODE? IS THIS VIDEO DRAMA ALL FOR SHOW? SHOULD JOJO HAVE PLACED IN THE COMPETITION? 

[Photo Credit: Lifetime]

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