Hey Dance Moms fans! After what felt like forever, Dance Moms is finally back for Season 3! And with a new season comes new drama, new dances, and of course, Abby Lee Miller being… Abby. For those of you who might have missed it or just want a fresh take, let’s dive into a recap of the season premiere. Right off the bat, I have to say, this episode felt a little less sparkly without Mackenzie around. It’s like when your favorite ice cream is missing its sprinkles – still good, but something’s definitely missing.
The episode kicks off with the infamous pyramid, and unsurprisingly, the Hyland sisters are at the bottom once again. Abby immediately zeroes in on Brooke’s recent solo loss, and Kelly, in true mom-ager fashion, is quick to blame the choreography. Now, while Abby’s known for rushing choreography when she’s got an agenda, this time it was actually Gianna who choreographed Brooke’s solo. To throw shade at Gianna, especially after she went to bat for Brooke by giving her a solo in the first place, feels like a low blow, Kelly. Maybe focusing on the limited rehearsal time due to the last-minute decision would have been a more constructive approach.
Kendall also finds herself on the bottom of the pyramid, and Abby doesn’t hold back with her critiques about inconsistency. However, Jill takes a different approach than Kelly. Instead of deflecting blame, Jill actually seems to absorb Abby’s feedback, hoping Kendall will use it to improve. It’s a refreshing change of pace to see a mom take Abby’s criticism in stride and encourage growth.
Moving up the pyramid, Maddie lands in the middle row, and surprisingly, Abby’s feedback isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Abby tells Maddie she needs to set higher goals. And honestly? Abby has a point. For someone as talented as Maddie, constantly pushing for improvement is key to staying on top.
When Asia and Maddie both appeared in the middle row, alarm bells started ringing! Chloe hasn’t been on top for a while, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that Abby is trying to sideline her – a storyline that sadly continues throughout season 3. Is it frustrating to watch? Absolutely!
True to her word (or maybe just to stir the pot), Abby announces that the Hylands will indeed get solos every week, but with a twist – they’re bringing in another choreographer. If you remember season 1, that duet situation with a guest choreographer didn’t exactly go smoothly, so this already feels like a recipe for disaster. Kendall also gets a solo (yay!), and Asia, predictably, gets one too. Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The episode makes it seem like Chloe is solo-less, which is a major disappointment. But plot twist! Chloe does get a solo, and Maddie gets one too! Why they decided to hide this, especially with the whole Maddie vs. Chloe narrative and Mackenzie’s absence (ruling out an Asia vs. Kenzie face-off), is a mystery. More on that later, for sure. Anyway, Abby assigns the group dance, and it’s called “Rat Pack.” Initially, I misheard it as “Brat Pack,” but “Rat Pack” it is! And if you know me, you know I live for novelty numbers! Dances like “Reputation” and “Head Over Heels” are my absolute favorites – they’re always so entertaining and cute!
While the team is in Las Vegas, Kelly and Brooke get approached about an interview to promote Brooke’s new album (which, by the way, is on iTunes and you should totally check it out!). Initially, I braced myself for Abby to blow a gasket. I was ready to write about the hypocrisy of Abby being okay with Asia doing LA gigs or Maddie being on Drop Dead Diva but losing it over Brooke promoting her music. But surprise! Abby… says nothing. Absolutely nothing. Which at first seems bizarre, but then it clicks – it’s probably just Abby’s latest passive-aggressive tactic: the silent treatment towards the Hylands.
Overall, this season premiere of Dance Moms Season 3 sets the stage for another season of drama, competition, and questionable decisions from Abby. While missing Mackenzie’s energy, the episode still delivers the Dance Moms chaos we’ve come to expect (and maybe secretly love?). Stay tuned for more recaps as we dive deeper into Dance Moms Season 3!
