This week on Dance Moms, the drama was dialed up as the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) headed to Los Angeles for their last competition before Nationals. While Maddie Ziegler reclaimed her spot at the top of the pyramid, Brooke and Paige Hyland found themselves at the bottom, thanks to Kelly Hyland’s complaints about favoritism. Amidst costume sewing chaos and Abby Lee Miller’s signature tough love, a surprise visitor and a rival dance mom stirred the pot, making for an unforgettable episode.
To inject some much-needed attitude into the team’s new routine, Abby brought in a special guest: the one and only Shangela LaQuifa Wadley, known as LaQuifa on the show. Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race would immediately recognize Shangela’s fierce energy. She was there to teach the girls about stage presence and, most notably, the “death drop.” Nia Frazier, in a bold move, was chosen to execute this dramatic move in the routine.
Shangela LaQuifa on Dance Moms
Shangela’s appearance brought a vibrant and unexpected twist to the usual Dance Moms dynamic. Her sewing skills might have been questionable (a hat mishap provided some humor), but her lesson in attitude was spot on, perfectly aligning with the energy Abby wanted for the upcoming competition.
Shangela LaQuifa teaching dance moves
Meanwhile, personal dramas unfolded. Melissa Ziegler was absent, dealing with family matters, leaving Abby to step in as a temporary mom figure for Maddie and Mackenzie. Abby herself faced emotional turmoil upon learning about her mother’s hospitalization, adding a layer of vulnerability to her usually stern demeanor. However, true to form, Abby remained focused on the competition.
Adding fuel to the competitive fire, Cathy Nesbitt-Stein from the Candy Apples Dance Center arrived in LA, determined to challenge Abby’s team. Cathy brought with her Vivi-Anne Stein, her daughter, aiming to prove that Vivi-Anne had been underestimated when competing alongside ALDC.
Vivi-Anne Stein from Candy Apples Dance Center
Vivi-Anne, who had often appeared disinterested throughout the season, surprisingly declared that she and her partner, Justice, could outperform Nia and Mackenzie. This bold claim set the stage for a direct showdown between the two studios, intensifying the competition and personal stakes.
Nia Frazier and Mackenzie Ziegler ready to compete
Amidst the studio rivalry, Kelly Hyland sought an independent choreographer, Mike, for Paige. Despite Mike’s impressive resume, including work with major pop artists, Paige felt overwhelmed by the limited rehearsal time for her solo. The pressure led to Paige withdrawing from the competition, marking the second time that season she had pulled out.
Choreographer Mike working with Paige
Cathy attempted to unsettle Chloe Lukasiak by having her dancer use the same music for a solo, but this tactic ultimately backfired. When it came to the head-to-head challenge, Vivi-Anne and Justice did not place in their duet category, failing to live up to their confident pronouncements.
For the group dance, set to a drag queen-esque song titled “My Pumps,” Abby aimed for a win, despite acknowledging it wasn’t the strongest routine of the season. Nia’s show-stopping death drop was a highlight, seemingly guaranteeing a top placement.
Nia Frazier performing the death drop
However, in a surprising turn of events, the ALDC group dance placed third. This unexpected result left the team deflated as they headed into the season finale. The episode was packed with drama, featuring celebrity cameos, personal challenges, and fierce competition, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats and eagerly anticipating what the finale would bring, especially regarding the ongoing rivalry with Cathy and Candy Apples, and potentially, more of LaQuifa’s attitude.
