In 2011, reality television changed forever with the premiere of Dance Moms on Lifetime. This show wasn’t just about dance; it was a deep dive into the intense world of competitive children’s dance, spearheaded by the infamous Abby Lee Miller and her young dancers. Viewers were immediately captivated, though often horrified, by the screaming matches, the pressure-cooker environment of the pyramid, and the often-toxic feedback given to these young performers. It was reality TV at its most raw and arguably, most exploitative, yet viewers couldn’t tear themselves away, making it an instant cult classic.
Now, in 2024, we have Dance Moms New Era, a reboot banking on the legacy of the original series. And honestly? It’s easy to see why. The original formula was addictive: watching young girls pour their hearts into their performances, fueled by the relentless pressure from Abby Lee, created compelling television. Even though the stakes were often artificially inflated – a local dance competition presented as life or death – the emotional intensity was real. This new iteration, with its echoes of shows like Toddler and Tiaras (did anyone else catch that JonBenet Ramsey-themed solo?), proves that the appetite for this kind of drama, as problematic as it may be, persists. And like many, despite my reservations, I find myself strangely drawn in, already contemplating a Season 2. Maybe we, the viewers, are part of the problem.
‘Dance Moms New Era’ Sticks to the Script: Drama and Dance
When news of a Dance Moms reboot on Hulu surfaced, the initial reaction for many was likely, “Really? Why?” Having witnessed the original series, with all its ethical quandaries, the idea of revisiting that world felt questionable. Yet, there was an undeniable pull. A morbid curiosity, perhaps? And as predicted, the moment the episodes dropped, many, myself included, found themselves glued to their screens. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of trainwreck television, as P.T. Barnum famously (or infamously) understood. However, what’s most striking about Dance Moms New Era is not its novelty, but its almost uncanny resemblance to the original. It’s not a reinvention; it’s a carbon copy.
Within the first few episodes, the familiar drama unfolds with alarming speed. The introduction of Gloria Hampton, the new dance teacher, immediately sets the tone. Her subtle shade thrown at Abby Lee within seconds of her introduction was a masterclass in reality TV confrontation. Her now-iconic line, “I know that I can make these kids stars — and I can do it without them resenting me in ten years,” is both hilarious and cutting. It promises a new dynamic but quickly reveals a deeper truth: Gloria, despite her claims, operates surprisingly similarly to Abby Lee. While the humor is definitely there, the underlying issues remain, raising the question: do we really need another Abby Lee figure on our screens, even a slightly less screechy one?
Abby Lee 2.0? The Glo Hampton and Abby Lee Miller Parallels
It’s hard to ignore the striking similarities between Gloria Hampton and Abby Lee Miller. While not literally twins, their approaches to teaching and, more importantly, to manipulating the dancers and their mothers, are eerily alike. The avant-garde personalities, the dramatic flair, the subtle (and not-so-subtle) mind games – it often feels like watching a re-run of the original Dance Moms. Gloria, in many ways, embodies the spirit of Abby Lee, albeit with a slightly different vocal register.
Alt text: The new dance moms and their daughters pose with dance instructor Gloria Hampton in Dance Moms New Era, highlighting the fresh faces and familiar dynamic of the reboot.
Both instructors clearly establish favorites within the group, a tactic that breeds both resentment and inflated egos. The favoritism is blatant, with chosen dancers receiving disproportionate attention and escaping critique. In a particularly telling scene, Gloria echoes Abby Lee’s questionable coaching methods by praising a dancer, Gina, for a flawed performance, declaring it “perfect” instead of offering constructive criticism. This mirroring of Abby Lee’s techniques suggests that while the faces have changed, the core dynamics of Dance Moms, and perhaps its inherent toxicity, remain stubbornly in place.
The New Dance Moms: Still Bringing the Drama
Perhaps the most consistently entertaining, and simultaneously unsettling, aspect of Dance Moms, both original and New Era, is the behavior of the dance mothers. One might have hoped that after years of reflection and public discourse on the original series, the New Dance Moms would represent a shift, a more evolved approach to competitive dance parenting. However, Dance Moms New Era quickly dispels that notion. If anything, these new dance moms seem even more unhinged than their predecessors.
Each mother, in short order, manages to unleash a torrent of yelling, cursing, and backstabbing directed at other children and mothers. The sheer intensity of the parental drama is almost comical, if it weren’t so clearly impacting the young dancers. And this leads to perhaps the most disturbing element carried over from the original: the constant tears of the young girls. Episode after episode features scenes of children visibly distressed, pushed to their emotional limits. As a viewer, it’s genuinely uncomfortable to watch. Any parent watching would likely question if a trophy is worth this level of emotional strain on their child.
Beyond the interpersonal conflicts, Dance Moms New Era also revisits the concerning theme of physical injuries being downplayed or ignored. Echoing Abby Lee’s infamous “tape the toe together” moment, the reboot showcases instances where young dancers are encouraged to push through pain for the sake of competition. This echoes a broader societal pressure on performers to prioritize performance over well-being, a phenomenon starkly illustrated by events like Kerri Strug’s iconic vault at the 1996 Olympics on a broken foot. Dance Moms New Era, unfortunately, perpetuates this narrative, showing young girls being urged to perform while injured, all in pursuit of a national trophy. The question lingers: what is the real value of these trophies, especially when weighed against the physical and emotional health of these young dancers?
TELL US: Will you be tuning in to watch the drama unfold on Dance Moms New Era and the antics of the new dance moms?
