Last night, fans of Dance Moms were treated to a highly anticipated reunion episode featuring the “Original Girls” (plus a few). For those unfamiliar, Dance Moms began as a docu-series exploring the intense world of competitive dance and the bonds between mothers and daughters. However, it quickly evolved into a phenomenon centered around the controversial and demanding teaching methods of Abby Lee Miller. To put it simply, Dance Moms became synonymous with drama, and the reunion promised to unpack it all.
This is the story of seven young dancers – Brooke, Paige, Maddie, MacKenzie, Chloe, Nia, and Vivi-Anne. Brooke was the eldest, MacKenzie the youngest, and Maddie, in Abby’s eyes, the undeniable star. Over time, the original lineup began to shift. Vivi-Anne and her mother, Cathy, from the rival studio, were the first to depart early in season one. Cathy famously disliked team bus travel (until she decided to compete against Abby directly). Brooke, Paige, and their mother, Kelly, followed suit after a heated confrontation in New York City, where Abby pressed assault charges against Kelly (though perspectives on the incident vary).
The Hylands subsequently sued Abby for her treatment of Paige, though they were unsuccessful. Chloe and her mother, Christi, were the next to leave after yet another argument with Abby, sparked by Abby’s insensitive comments about Chloe’s medical condition, sinus eye. Despite a vague hint of a possible return, Chloe never came back. Eventually, Maddie, MacKenzie, and their mother, Melissa, also left ALDC, seeking better opportunities and financial prospects.
Of the original seven, only Nia and her mother, Holly, remained, fulfilling their contractual obligations. Even from the first season, Abby seemed to actively try to push the Fraziers out, but they persevered, committed to their contract.
With the departure of the “original girls,” a new generation of dancers joined the show. Key additions included Kendall and her mother, Jill (season two), Kalani and her mother, Kira (around season four), and JoJo and her mother, Jess. These were the faces that graced the reunion stage, with three notable exceptions: Maddie, Mackenzie, and Nia opted to forgo revisiting this chapter of their lives. Thus, the reunion became a platform for those seeking closure and a path forward.
Upon arrival, the girls (and some of the mothers) were greeted with glamorous wardrobes and champagne, a somewhat surprising touch given that JoJo and Kendall are not yet of legal drinking age in the US. However, as JoJo herself pointed out, “this IS California.” JoJo seemed to embrace a hosting role, and in the green room, both JoJo and Kalani displayed a hint of cattiness. This was particularly evident when the conversation turned to the absence of certain individuals and the fact that Kalani hadn’t been invited to a birthday party hosted by the Zieglers for Paige (JoJo and Paige’s friendship is a more recent development since the reunion).
When JoJo questioned why “the others should have come,” Paige firmly redirected, stating, “They didn’t need” to be discussed. Kendall’s underlying jealousy towards Maddie surfaced during the program. Chloe confessed she almost didn’t attend the reunion due to conflicting emotions about her Dance Moms experience.
The “original” girls were then called to the stage. Chloe addressed the infamous rivalry Abby manufactured between her and Maddie. Chloe shared her realization that Abby was unlikely to offer her genuine support beyond the show’s narrative. Brooke and Paige revealed they hadn’t discussed Abby or their time on the show since the traumatic New York incident. As footage of the incident played, Brooke became visibly upset, mirroring Kelly’s emotional 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 asked if she had prior knowledge of Abby’s plans, and her hesitation suggested she was indeed aware.
During Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition, Abby introduced Maddie and MacKenzie to Kalani with the words: “Maddie, meet your new partner.” Kalani confirmed that Melissa and Kira were aware of these plans, and Kalani felt sympathy for Paige, Brooke, and Kelly, who were kept in the dark. This event significantly impacted Kelly’s life, contributing to her daughters ceasing dance and her separation from her husband. Kelly publicly apologized to Paige and Brooke, leading to emotional hugs and reconciliation.
Kendall took the stage next. Similar in many ways to her mother, Jill, Kendall considers herself an “original” since joining in season two. Brooke and Paige gently corrected her, pointing out her brief stint at rival studio Candy Apples. Kendall explained this was her mother Jill’s decision. Kendall acknowledged the high stakes upon her return to ALDC. She became emotional watching a clip of Ashlee (another Dance Mom known for her intensity) making her cry, noting the similarities between Ashlee and her own mother, Jill. Jill then joined the girls on stage, asserting that the show ultimately strengthened Kendall for future challenges. Jill, unsurprisingly, stated she wouldn’t alter anything that transpired. Kendall is currently pursuing studies in political science and pre-law at James Madison University.
Kalani agreed that her family was generally treated well by Abby. Kira’s compliance with Abby’s demands contributed to their positive dynamic, but Kalani admitted to paying an emotional toll. The online attacks directed at Kira deeply affected Kalani personally. Kalani then bravely addressed the body shaming she endured after the show aired, without naming specific perpetrators. She noted that body changes are a natural part of puberty, a reality often overlooked in the demanding world of dance. Later, during a segment on favorite dances, producer Bryan Stinson mentioned a “Suicide Hotline,” highlighting the severity of the body shaming Kalani faced.
Visibly distressed, Kalani left the stage for the restroom, joined by JoJo and Jess. It became clear that Kalani has struggled significantly with these issues. The Suicide Hotline proved to be a lifeline during a difficult period, offering crucial support. Kalani’s willingness to share her story is commendable and hopefully will resonate with others facing similar struggles. The hotline experienced a surge in calls following the episode’s airing, demonstrating the impact of Kalani’s vulnerability.
JoJo was next to share her perspective. She candidly admitted that Abby’s harsh labels, such as “obnoxious” and “greedy little monster,” were, in some ways, accurate. However, she believes these experiences toughened her up for Hollywood and taught her valuable survival skills. Having watched Dance Moms prior to joining, JoJo felt prepared for the environment. She expressed her desire to be on the show, but Kendall questioned JoJo’s reasons for leaving. Jess joined the discussion, explaining that lucrative opportunities with Nickelodeon were emerging for JoJo, and Abby’s potential interference prompted their departure. Jess emphasized that the decision was joint and, like Jill, wouldn’t change their journey. JoJo maintains a positive relationship with Abby, appreciating the lessons learned.
The conversation shifted to Abby herself. Chloe offered an insightful perspective, urging viewers not to give Abby undue credit, suggesting her actions were often calculated for dramatic effect. Kelly revealed that Abby still crosses her mind frequently. Chloe described her feelings towards Abby as complex, stating she is in the process of forgiving but not yet fully there. Paige expressed choosing closure regarding Abby. Abby’s cancer diagnosis shocked them all. JoJo visited Abby in the hospital (reportedly, Abby declined a visit from Nia).
During Abby’s hospitalization discussion, Paige looked at Brooke, both visibly emotional, as was Kelly. Kalani remained stoic. The Hylands seemed to perceive Abby’s health struggles as a form of karmic retribution. During a segment on Abby’s indictment, Jill recounted Abby’s volatile behavior, describing her as a “screaming banshee” and “complete mess,” adding that she had warned Abby, but Abby disregarded her advice.
JoJo believes Dance Moms still holds relevance and inspires young dancers. While JoJo criticized Christi (Chloe’s mom) for speaking negatively about Gianna Martello (another ALDC instructor), JoJo praised Gianna as a “rock” for the girls. The others disagreed with JoJo’s assessment of Gianna. Chloe defended Christi’s right to her own opinion, pointing out that JoJo never personally knew Christi.
Producer Stinson brought up the infamous Pyramid ranking system. None of the girls expressed fondness for it. Paige, however, acknowledged that it inadvertently contributed to her current confidence. She also recognized that the show wasn’t solely about dance; growing up on camera presented unique challenges. In a lighter moment, JoJo playfully 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 Brooklynn and expressed pride in her personal growth. Christi initially struggled to accept Chloe’s same-sex relationship. Stinson then played a video clip of Christi expressing her immense pride in Chloe’s kindness and strength, signaling her acceptance of Chloe’s choices. As the reunion neared its conclusion, Chloe revealed her future plans – a dance competition named Releve. Paige shared that “The Last Text,” a dance routine from the show, now serves as a reminder to disconnect from her phone while driving. Kalani reiterated the girls’ sisterly bond, and the show concluded with a reenactment of the iconic “Boss Ladies” routine.
The reunion episode undoubtedly resolved some long-standing drama, but much remained unsaid. Abby’s constant body shaming of the girls was a pervasive issue. It was subtly alluded to on the show and widely known within the Pittsburgh dance community that dancers faced competition restrictions for gaining as little as 10 pounds. Having connections to former ALDC dancers, college dance programs, and Pittsburgh natives, the author acknowledges possessing more insider knowledge than was revealed in the reunion. The decision of Nia, Maddie, and MacKenzie to abstain from the reunion is understandable, as they have successfully moved forward. Nia and MacKenzie are both actively involved in dance again, as is Kendall, alongside pursuing acting and singing careers. Kalani shows potential as a spokesperson, and a book from her would be impactful. And Kendall, well, perhaps president is a bit ambitious!
