Dance Moms Reunion: Original Girls Spill the Tea in Explosive Episode

Last night, fans of Dance Moms were treated to a highly anticipated reunion episode featuring the “Original Girls” (plus a few more who joined later). For those unfamiliar with the show, Dance Moms began as a docuseries intended to capture the unique bond between mothers and daughters navigating the competitive world of dance. However, it quickly evolved into a phenomenon centered around the controversial teaching methods of Abby Lee Miller. To put it simply, Dance Moms is a story unlike any other, and the reunion episode proved just as dramatic and revealing as the original series.

The Original Team: A Look Back

The narrative of Dance Moms initially revolved around seven young dancers: Brooke Hyland, Paige Hyland, Maddie Ziegler, Mackenzie Ziegler, Chloe Lukasiak, Nia Frazier, and Vivi-Anne Stein. Brooke was the eldest, while Mackenzie was the youngest, and Maddie was consistently positioned as the star by Abby Lee Miller. Over time, the original lineup began to shift. Vivi-Anne and her mother, Cathy Nesbitt-Stein, from a rival studio, were the first to depart before the end of season one, with Cathy famously disliking team bus travel (until she started her own competing team against Abby). Brooke, Paige, and their mother, Kelly Hyland, were the next to leave after a heated confrontation in New York City. This incident resulted in Abby pressing assault charges against Kelly, though many viewers felt Kelly was acting in self-defense.

Dance Moms original cast members Brooke, Paige, Maddie, Mackenzie, Chloe, Nia, and Vivi-Anne, highlighting the young stars at the heart of the show.

The Hylands subsequently pursued legal action against Abby for her treatment of Paige, though they ultimately lost the lawsuit. Shortly after, Chloe and her mother, Christi Lukasiak, also left the ALDC (Abby Lee Dance Company) following yet another argument with Abby, sparked by insensitive comments about Chloe’s medical condition, silent sinus syndrome. Despite a vague suggestion of a possible return, Chloe never came back. Eventually, Maddie, Mackenzie, and their mother, Melissa Gisoni, departed in pursuit of better opportunities, including more lucrative projects and programs.

This exodus of “original girls” left Nia and her mother, Holly Frazier, as the only remaining original members. Despite facing consistent pressure from Abby to leave from season one onwards, Holly and Nia chose to honor their contract.

Reunion Revelations: Who Showed Up and Who Didn’t

With the departure of the initial cast, Dance Moms introduced new dancers, most notably Kendall Vertes and her mother, Jill Vertes (season two), Kalani Hilliker and her mother, Kira Girard (around season four), and JoJo Siwa and her mother, Jessalynn Siwa. These were the faces that largely comprised the reunion episode, with three notable exceptions. Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler, along with Nia Frazier, opted out of revisiting this chapter of their lives. The reunion, therefore, became a platform for those seeking closure and a way to move forward from their Dance Moms experiences.

The atmosphere of the reunion was immediately set with a somewhat incongruous tone. The girls, dressed in glamorous attire, were greeted with champagne upon arrival. This detail raised eyebrows, considering JoJo and Kendall were still underage. However, as the saying goes, “This IS California.” JoJo appeared to take on a hosting role, and a slightly catty dynamic emerged in the green room, particularly when the conversation shifted to the absences of Maddie, Mackenzie, and Nia, and the fact that Kalani hadn’t been invited to a birthday party hosted by the Zieglers.

Behind the scenes in the Dance Moms reunion green room, capturing the initial interactions and unspoken tensions among the cast members.

When JoJo questioned why “the others should have come,” Paige interjected, firmly stating, “They didn’t need” to be discussed. Underlying jealousy towards Maddie surfaced from Kendall during the program. It was also revealed that Kalani was not invited to Paige’s birthday party (JoJo and Paige’s friendship was a recent development at the reunion). Chloe confessed she almost didn’t attend the reunion herself due to mixed emotions about her time on the show.

Confronting the Past: Original Girls on Stage

The “original” girls – Brooke, Paige, and Chloe – were called to the stage to unpack their shared history. Chloe addressed the manufactured rivalry between herself and Maddie, orchestrated by Abby. Chloe admitted that she realized early on that Abby would not offer her genuine support once the show gained traction. Brooke and Paige revealed that they hadn’t discussed Abby or their Dance Moms experience since the traumatic New York incident that led to their departure. As a clip of the incident played, Brooke became emotional, mirroring her mother Kelly’s reaction in the green room. Kelly joined her daughters on stage, expressing regret and stating she would handle things differently if given a second chance.

Kalani was questioned about her awareness of Abby’s plans, and her hesitation suggested she had some prior knowledge. The discussion centered around an incident during Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition where Maddie and Mackenzie were introduced to Kalani by Abby with the words: “Maddie, meet your new partner.” Kalani confirmed that Melissa and Kira were aware of this arrangement, leaving Brooke, Paige, and Kelly completely blindsided. This event was a pivotal moment for Kelly, contributing to her decision to stop dancing and ultimately leading to her separation from her husband. In a moment of reconciliation, Kelly publicly apologized to Paige and Brooke, leading to heartfelt hugs between the family members.

Kendall, Kalani, and JoJo: Their Evolving Stories

Kendall’s segment highlighted her unique perspective as a season two addition who often considered herself an “original.” Brooke and Paige gently corrected her, pointing out her brief stint at rival studio Candy Apples. Kendall explained that the move to Candy Apples was her mother Jill’s decision. Kendall acknowledged the high stakes upon her return to ALDC. A clip showing Ashlee Allen making Kendall cry (Ashlee being likened to “Jill 2.0”) triggered Kendall’s tears. Jill then joined the girls on stage, asserting that Dance Moms had strengthened Kendall for future challenges. Jill infamously stated she wouldn’t change anything that happened during their time on the show, a sentiment that likely surprised few viewers. Kendall is now pursuing political science and pre-law at James Madison University.

Kendall and Jill Vertes sharing a moment on stage during the Dance Moms reunion, reflecting on their journey and experiences on the show.

Kalani shared that her family felt well-treated by Abby. Kira’s compliance with Abby’s demands seemed to contribute to this perception, but Kalani acknowledged the emotional toll it took on her. She addressed the personal hurt she felt when people attacked Kira. Kalani bravely spoke about experiencing body shaming after the show, though she didn’t specify the source. She noted that body changes are a natural part of puberty, a point emphasized later by producer Bryan Stinson, who mentioned a “Suicide Hotline” in relation to the severity of the body shaming Kalani endured.

Kalani briefly left the stage to compose herself in the restroom, joined by JoJo and Jessalynn. It became evident that Kalani has struggled with significant issues. The suicide hotline number proved helpful to Kalani during a difficult period. Her willingness to share her story was commendable, and the dance organization associated with the hotline reported a surge in calls after the episode aired, indicating the impact of Kalani’s vulnerability.

JoJo’s segment was marked by her candid self-assessment. She openly admitted that Abby’s harsh labels, such as “obnoxious” and “greedy little monster,” were accurate. She argued that this tough environment prepared her for Hollywood and taught her resilience. Having watched Dance Moms before joining, JoJo felt she had an advantage in knowing what to expect. However, Kendall questioned JoJo’s reasons for leaving the ALDC. Jessalynn joined JoJo on stage to clarify that the departure was driven by lucrative opportunities with Nickelodeon and Abby’s potential interference in those deals. Communication was ultimately cut off. Jessalynn maintained that the decision to leave was mutual and that she, too, wouldn’t alter their past experiences. JoJo expressed a positive relationship with Abby, appreciating the tough lessons learned.

Abby’s Absence and Lingering Feelings

The conversation shifted to Abby Lee Miller herself. Chloe offered a critical perspective, urging viewers not to give Abby credit, arguing that Abby manipulated situations for dramatic effect. Kelly revealed that Abby still occupies her thoughts. Chloe’s feelings towards Abby remain complex, expressing a desire to forgive Abby but acknowledging she is only in the initial stages of forgiveness. Paige stated she has achieved closure regarding Abby. The news of Abby’s cancer diagnosis shocked the former cast members. JoJo shared that she visited Abby in the hospital (contrasting with reports that Abby refused a visit from Nia).

During discussions about Abby’s hospitalization and past indictments, Paige and Brooke were visibly emotional, while Kalani remained stoic. The Hilliker family seemed to view Abby’s health struggles as karmic retribution. Jill recounted Abby’s volatile behavior, describing her as a “screaming banshee” and “complete mess,” adding that she had warned Abby about her behavior but was ignored.

Looking Ahead: Legacy and Future

JoJo believes Dance Moms still has relevance, inspiring young dancers. She defended Gianna Martello, a choreographer on the show, against criticism from Christi, calling Gia a “rock” for the girls, a sentiment not shared by others. Chloe defended Christi’s right to her own opinions, pointing out that JoJo never personally knew Christi.

Producer Bryan Stinson inquired about the infamous Pyramid ranking system. None of the girls had positive memories of it. Paige, however, acknowledged that it inadvertently contributed to her current confidence. She recognized that Dance Moms was not solely about dance and that growing up on the show was challenging. In a lighter moment, JoJo jokingly proposed to Kalani, eliciting laughter from the group.

Today, Chloe is content with her life in college and beyond. She spoke about her three-year relationship with her girlfriend, Brooklynn, and her self-acceptance. Christi initially struggled with Chloe’s same-sex relationship but has since become fully supportive. A video message from Christi expressed her pride in Chloe’s kindness and strength. As the reunion concluded, Chloe revealed her future plans: launching a dance competition called Releve. Paige shared that “The Last Text,” one of their dances, now serves as a reminder to disconnect from her phone while driving. Kalani acknowledged the girls as her “sisters,” and the episode ended with a reenactment of the iconic “Boss Ladies” dance.

Unresolved Drama and Lasting Impact

The reunion episode provided some resolution to past conflicts, but it also highlighted lingering tensions and untold stories. The constant body shaming by Abby was mentioned, and the well-known (within the Pittsburgh dance community) rule about dancers being benched for gaining 10 pounds was alluded to. The author acknowledges deeper insights into ALDC from various sources, including former dancers and Pittsburgh locals, that couldn’t be fully disclosed. The decision of Nia, Maddie, and Mackenzie to abstain from the reunion is understandable, as they have moved on and built successful lives. Nia and Mackenzie are both actively engaged in dance, acting, and singing, as is Kendall. The author envisions Kalani becoming a spokesperson and possibly writing a book. And humorously cautions against a future presidential run for Kendall.