The second episode of Dance Moms: Miami has aired, and it’s clear this spin-off is bringing a unique flavor to the dance mom drama we love to watch. While the original Dance Moms had its iconic moments with Abby Lee Miller, Dance Moms: Miami introduces us to Victor and Angel, instructors who are just as passionate but perhaps a tad less… explosive, at least until they interact with these mothers. They’re not shy about calling the moms “insane,” and honestly, it’s part of the captivating charm of this series.
This week’s episode kicks off with the rankings from the previous competition, and Lucas, a clear favorite, tops the list, mainly for his impressive duet with Kimmy where he managed not to drop her. Kimmy’s mom is pleased with second place, though Kimmy herself felt a tie with Lucas would have been fairer. Sammy isn’t thrilled with third, and Susan is visibly upset that Jessi is in the bottom two, despite placing second in her solo last week. Hannah lands in fourth, acknowledged for her improvement by Angel and Victor. Jessi’s dramatic drop from first to last place sets the stage for the episode’s escalating tension.
Victor attributes Jessi’s low ranking to her poor sportsmanship. Jessi is tearful and silent, while her mother, Susan, is furious. Susan brings up the incident where Jessi snatched the trophy from Hannah, justifying it because Hannah initially didn’t hand it over when asked. This logic is lost on everyone, especially considering Jessi is fourteen and Hannah is only ten. Susan tries to engage Debi, Hannah’s mom, blaming both their daughters, but Debi isn’t having it. The moms’ argument escalates into shouting, prompting Angel to step in, calling them “psychotic b*tches” in frustration, a sentiment many viewers likely share. Susan, realizing the public spectacle, takes Jessi outside, scolding her for past embarrassing behavior. The irony is palpable – Jessi might be thinking the same about her mother at this moment! Susan forces Jessi to apologize to Victor, Hannah, and the rest of the dancers.
This week’s competition takes place in Long Beach, California. The group dance will revisit jazz-funk, and Lucas, Sammy, and Hannah are all awarded solos. Debi is particularly excited about Hannah competing against Sammy, her perceived nemesis. The group dance theme revolves around Lucas as the “party boy” new to the city. Jessi returns to the studio, and Angel makes sure she apologizes to the group for her previous behavior. Victor tries to comfort Jessi, acknowledging the difficulty of having a “cuckoo mother.” Angel, however, feels Victor is enabling bad behavior. Susan attempts to apologize to Angel, but he unleashes his true feelings, making it clear he thinks she is utterly unreasonable.
Following a lackluster group dance practice, Angel threatens to withdraw from the competition if there isn’t significant improvement. Hannah’s solo is contemporary, described as reminiscent of “Chuck Norris choreography,” highlighting the subjective nature of dance interpretation. Sammy will perform a jazz solo, complete with bright red lipstick, a detail that irks Angel, adding to the tension. Angel criticizes Victor’s choreography, and their disagreements increase the pressure on Sammy. Lucas’s lyrical solo, titled “I Believe in Something,” is described as “sad dancing,” while the mothers observe from their sofas, offering what’s deemed “meaningless commentary.” Victor, however, praises Lucas as “amazing.”
The jazz-funk group dance rehearsal remains chaotic. Susan suggests Victor is experiencing PMS, while Ani sees no issue with Victor yelling at Kimmy, comparing it to football coaches. Angel, fed up with the group’s lack of synchronization, dismisses them, unable to even stand looking at them. Victor is frustrated, knowing they need the practice time, but Angel’s decision prevails.
Adding another layer to the drama, Debi’s older daughter is home from college, and Debi reveals that Abby has joined the studio. This “scandalous” news leads to Debi, her daughter, Hannah, and her sister engaging in gossip, criticizing dancers from Hannah’s former studio, highlighting the competitive and sometimes petty nature of the dance world and the Miami Dance Moms.
Angel attempts a team-building exercise, encouraging the dancers to share their feelings about each other, a concept foreign to the observing mothers. Then, in a bold move, Angel instructs Jessi to tell her mother, Susan, what behavioral improvements she needs to make. The tension is palpable.
During Hannah’s rehearsal, both Debi and Abby’s competitive sides emerge, showcasing their intense rivalry, seemingly more invested in their daughters’ competition than the girls themselves. Sammy’s practice is cut short due to a disagreement between Victor and Angel over choreography adjustments, highlighting the creative clashes within the studio. Kimmy’s mom, ever observant, lip-reads the argument through the studio partition, keeping the other mothers informed of the unfolding drama.
The team arrives in Long Beach, and Angel expresses concern about the fierce competition from nearby Hollywood studios. Hannah is the first to perform her solo, driven to beat Sammy, a competitive spirit likely fueled by her mother. Her music malfunctions, but Victor instructs her to improvise, which she handles admirably. Jessi, Lucas, and Sammy are waiting backstage, ready to offer praise, displaying a supportive camaraderie amongst the young dancers. Lucas’s solo impresses the judges, and Sammy feels the pressure after the strong performances from Lucas and Hannah. Sammy’s mother confidently declares Sammy’s inevitable top placement, adding extra pressure. Sammy delivers a powerful performance, described by Lucas as “stunning.”
After the solos, Angel is noticeably harder on Sammy’s performance compared to Lucas and Hannah, raising eyebrows. Susan confronts Victor and Angel in front of everyone, asserting Sammy’s superior talent and requesting Jessi be allowed to perform an improv solo. Victor refuses, citing fairness to the others and sticking to the original plan. Abby becomes agitated by Susan’s public comparisons, and Victor, growing impatient with Susan’s persistent demands, eventually leads to Susan storming out.
Hannah places fourth in the solos, just shy of a perfect score, which she is thrilled about. Lucas secures second place, sporting his signature Bieber-esque cap and Victor’s hairstyle. Sammy takes first place, much to her mother’s satisfaction. Abby is quick to point out that her daughter, Sammy, beat Hannah, reigniting their ongoing rivalry. Victor is simply pleased that his choreography took the top spot. Victor’s mother, Mayra, expresses her preference for Jessi, stating she should have been at the top. Sammy retorts, asserting she can perform all of Jessi’s moves, leading to a brief confrontation before the group dance. Kimmy expresses anxiety about remembering the group choreography.
Lucas, ever the performer, shines in the group dance, which appears flawless and indeed earns them first place. Ironically, Jessi ends up holding the trophy again. Kimmy is praised for remembering her choreography. Mayra delivers a backhanded compliment to Hannah, triggering Debi’s protective instincts, who then insults Bridgette and Abby. Bridgette retaliates with a harsh comment about Lucas potentially placing fourth, escalating the mom-on-mom conflict.
Looking ahead to the next episode of Miami Dance Moms, Abby and Susan are set to clash, while Victor and Angel will focus on building the kids’ self-esteem amidst the chaotic mom drama. Abby questions Angel and Victor about Debi allegedly attempting to sabotage Sammy’s solo, promising more Miami Dance Moms drama to unfold.
What are your thoughts on this episode of Dance Moms: Miami? Are you enjoying this spin-off? And most importantly, who do you think brings more chaos: Debi or Susan?
