This week’s episode of Dance Moms delivered the usual dose of drama, but as always, it was young Mackenzie Ziegler who truly captivated viewers. While the moms battled and Cathy brought the cringe, Mackenzie’s performances and reactions were the real highlights. Let’s dive into the awesome and awkward moments, focusing on why Mackenzie continues to be a fan favorite.
Awesome Moments: Mackenzie in the Spotlight
Pyramid time always sets the stage, and this week was no different. It was fantastic to see Chloe at the top of the pyramid, a well-deserved acknowledgment of her hard work, even without a first-place win the previous week. Abby’s positive reinforcement for Chloe was a refreshing change. Adding to the excitement, Abby announced solos for Chloe, Asia, Maddie, and Kendall. Although we have to wait until next week to see these performances, the anticipation is definitely building. And let’s be honest, seeing Mackenzie’s name not initially called for a solo created a moment of suspense, even though we knew she’d shine eventually.
Dance Moms Kristie attempts to appease Abby Lee Miller, causing tension among the other mothers.
The tension surrounding “The View” appearance was a major plot point. Abby initially declared Asia would fill in for Mackenzie, causing predictable outrage from Mom Melissa. Abby, in her typical manipulative style, instructed Mackenzie to tell her mom to fight for her spot – an incredibly inappropriate burden to place on an eight-year-old. While the children seemed unfazed, the moms, as usual, escalated the drama. Kelly somehow managed to insert herself into the argument, further fueling the already high tensions. It’s clear Abby enjoys orchestrating these conflicts, dragging out the New York City trip drama for maximum effect. However, amidst the mom-induced chaos, the focus remained on which of the talented young dancers would get this significant opportunity.
Then came the moment we were all waiting for: the results! Mackenzie was indeed chosen to perform on “The View.” Seeing her face light up with joy was genuinely heartwarming, a reminder of the pure passion these young dancers have for their art. Asia’s gracious acceptance of not being selected also demonstrated remarkable maturity. The group performance was a success, with Abby surprisingly offering praise instead of her usual critiques. These moments of genuine achievement and positive reactions are what make watching Dance Moms worthwhile, especially when Mackenzie is at the center of the triumph.
Mackenzie Ziegler expresses her confidence and return to form on Dance Moms with a cartwheel.
Awkward Moments: Cathy’s Chaos and Cheesecake
Of course, no Dance Moms episode is complete without Cathy Nesbitt-Stein and her Candy Apples studio bringing the awkwardness. This week, Cathy decided to hold auditions for a new dancer, implying her current team wasn’t up to par. Her judging process was, as expected, cringe-inducing. She dismissed a girl simply for having the name “Maddie,” mispronounced a child’s name as “Had” instead of Hannah, and repeatedly questioned a talented young boy’s suitability as a dancer based on his appearance. Cathy’s behavior was far from inspirational and highlighted her questionable teaching methods. Adding to the absurdity, Vivi-Anne served as a judge, offering minimal input, making her presence feel largely performative.
The awkwardness continued with a bizarre cheesecake scene featuring Cathy and Vivi. Vivi’s confession of eating five pieces of pizza in a day was a strange non-sequitur, followed by Cathy’s probing questions about Vivi’s opinions on the new Candy Apples dancer, Victoria, and her attempts to push Vivi to admit she wanted Jalen as a boyfriend. These forced, uncomfortable interactions further cemented Cathy’s scenes as the awkward low points of the episode.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
Mom Cathy: “This is hard work auditioning people.”
Vivi: “I’m hungry.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the predictable mom drama and Cathy’s antics, Mackenzie’s talent and charm shone brightly in this episode. We eagerly anticipate seeing the solos next week and continuing to watch Mackenzie’s journey on Dance Moms. What were your thoughts on this week’s episode? Share your opinions in the comments below!
