Christina POV.
Me, mommy and Chloe walked into the studio.
"Hi " Chloe and I greeted ms. Abby.
"You girls are chipper this morning." Ms. Abby said, causing Chloe and I to giggle.
Today is the first day of competition season. Kind of crazy in here today. The kids are really. Really excited, especially Christina. I'm really excited too. I love competition time.| Christi lukasiak | Dance mom
"I am the artistic director and the choreography of the Abby Lee Dance Company right here in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. People around the country know me. They know Abby Lee Miller because I produce stars. I produce amazing. Employable dancers. I know how to groom these children and raise these kids. Some of them as if they were my own." Abby said in her interview.
"All right, girls, it's the first day of rehearsal for the new competition season. Ladies you all know why you're here. You are the cream of the top crop in your age group, and I have lots of new ideas in store. I am going to do something that no other studio in the country does. Every single competition we are doing a new routine." Abby explained.
Christina POV.
I sat on the floor beside Maddie and Chloe. The girls and I look at our mom's. I was kinda nervous starting a new routine.
Uh-uh-uh-uh girls, don't look at your mother's. I am the couch, I am the teacher." Miss. Abby explained.
|Sometimes when Abby yells, it makes me laugh cause her face turns red| Mackenzie Ziegler (6)| Melissa's daughter
"I can make you, or I can break you." Miss. Abby said.
|I mean, most dance studios at least practice for six months before they go on stage and perform their routines. I think it's crazy that we're going to learn a dance in a week and compete.| Kelly Hyland| Dance mom
Miss Abby turns the charm board around revealing the pyramid. I'm of course, always on top of the pyramid.
Christina
Maddie-Chloe-Brooke
Paige-Nia-Mackenzie
I looked over at my mom and seen her smiling because I'm on the top of the pyramid.
At the beginning of each week, I have kind of like a pyramid thing, where everybody's always trying to get to the top of that. Everybody wants to be on the top, of course, but you have to work for it It goes on behavior, work ethic, attendance, as well as...have they followed all the rules. You know, all of that goes into who's going to be at the top of the pyramid and who's going to get to compete the next weekend.| Abby Lee Miller| Owner
"Everybody wants to be front and center. I hear it all the time." Miss. Abby said.
|She puts these kids in the pyramid; it's a nightmare. It is a nightmare for a child and an adult because we have to stand by and take it| Melissa Ziegler| Dance mom
"Whoever is in the front and center, they can't make a mistake. The are holding that group together." Miss. Abby said.
|Everybody always wants to be on the top. Usually if you're on the top of the pyramid, you're in the front line.| Kelly Hyland| Dance mom
"So at the top right here I have Christina because she is dedicated and because of her stellar record last year and..." Miss. Abby started.
|And Christina's on the top and Nia's on the bottom, and I'm a little crashed for Nia| Holly frazier| Dance mom
"Christina, are you ready to be front and center? Can you handle the pressure?" Miss. Abby asked me.
I nodded without hesitation. Chloe grabbed my hand causing me to smile at her making her smile back.
|I always feel bad because my daughter seems to always get to the top of the top, and the girls just, you know, they don't really like it. Melissa hates it. I mean, come on, your jealous of a little nine year old girl.| Christi lukasiak|Dance mom
"Our first competition is going to be in Phoenix, Arizona. Ladies, I chose Phoenix, Arizona because I want you to experience some of the best competition teams in the country. We are going to do two new numbers a high-energy, really cute, adorable routine with Christina, Maddie, Chloe, Nia Brooke and Paige. And deservedly so a solo for my top number one girl Christina." Ms. Abby said.
I looked at my mom and saw her smiling at me, the other moms smile too. I giggled as Chloe played with my hair.
"And then also a trio with Christina, Chloe and Paige. Unfortunately Mackenzie you're too young to compete at West Coast Dance Explosion, but you're still going to go with us anyway." Ms. Abby said.
"Girls, we are going to win in Phoenix, and the next competition we're going to win and the next competition we're going to win, and that's all gearing up for Nationals." Ms. Abby said .
|Everything we do from this point forward all this training, all this competing is about the Nationals.| Abby Lee Miller|Dance Coach
"So let's get to it. We are going to begin the choreography. Moms, you can be dismissed, and girls, let's go to Nationals and bring home the winning trophy. All right?" Ms. Abby said.
Christi POV.
The moms and I went to the viewing room.
"Oh, we're back to dance jail up here." I said.
"I want each of you to do either a chin stand or like a side shoulder stand, and we're going to hold it for eight counts. Christina your front and center. Do it from the top." Abby said.
Christina POV.
"Ready and places. Go." Ms. Abby said.
I did a chin stand.
|Party, Party, party is a theatrical jazz routine. It's upbeat, it's fun, classic jazz.| Abby Lee Miller|Dance Coach
Ms. Abby counted us in as we did the routine.
|Abby sometimes has favorites in the studio, and my daughter just happens to be the favorite. Melissa just needs to except it and stop being a bitch to my daughter| Christi lukasiak| Dance mom
"And five, six... Girls what are you doing? Why is Christina the only one who has straight legs? Those legs are about as straight as Elton John. Watch that right elbow!" Ms. Abby criticized.
|We are five days out from competition in Phoenix. I have a lot of work to do, the kids have a lot of work to do, and it's very stressful.|Abby Lee Miller|Dance Couch
"Go, leap." Ms. Abby instructed.
Christi POV.
"Oh my god it's like we never left." I said.
|I have sat up here a million times before, I've seen a thousand dances go on, and, you know, I'm just kinda hoping this year turns out a little bit better for Chloe and Christina| Christi lukasiak|Dance mom
Christi, Chloe and Christina interview:
"This is my daughter's Chloe and Christina who is nine. They are twins." Christi said.
"Yes we are." Chloe said and we giggled.
At home interview:
"This is Christina's room and these are her first place trophy's and crowns. She has won first place in everything that she has done and she never gets third place or forth because Abby thinks she's the best." Christi said.
Chloe's room:
"This is Chloe's state title that she's won, and she's also won a national title." Christi said.
Christina placed a crown on Chloe's head and they both posed in front of Chloe's mirror.
|It's my job to make sure all those little things so that she can be the star that she needs to be on stage and Abby needs to stop comparing my daughters because at the end of the day they are both little girls who needs attention and Abby is going to make my daughter Christina a star. Because we're dedicated to dance, we have missed so much.|Christi lukasiak|Dance moms
"We had our award ceremony. They called Christina's name but she wasn't there so I got her, her award for her." Chloe said.
"For what?" Christi asked.
"School." Christina replied.
"Oh, your grades, okay." Christi nodded.
|I do find myself at times, you know, putting dance before school, and it's probably not right. Christina had private so I'm thinking about homeschooling her because I want Christina to have more opportunities. I pay Abby 16,000 a year to teach my daughter's dance, but don't tell my husband.|Christi lukasiak|Dance moms
"This is Petite Miss First Runner up 2010, and Christina won. I was her...." Chloe started.
"Runner up." Christi said, annoyed.
The twins are playing while their mom are talking to the produces.
"My daughter Chloe was usually number two, but she was always in the mix, and she couldn't quite, you know, push herself over the top. I'd say Christina is probably Chloe's biggest competition. I think Chloe's biggest competition's is her own twin sister. I just hope that this doesn't drive a weige between them because they love each other very much. If she wants to be the best she has to beat the best. And her sisters the best." Christi said in her interview.
End of interview:
Christi POV.
"I'm not a big fan of this new pyramid thing. Because to me, that's more like a Bermuda Triangle than a pyramid. Like, it's very division." Melissa said.
"Someone's at the top, your very talented daughter and than someone's at the bottom. No teacher does that in classroom. Like, "You're the star pupil, and you're down here." Holly said.
"Yea." I said.
"So, are we surprised who's at the top of the pyramid?" Melissa asked.
"No, I would have been shocked if anyone else was there, but I can't really blame Abby she is a talented little dancer." Holly said.
Melissa rolls her eyes.
"But still her daughter gets special treatment while my daughter gets crap." Melissa argued.
"Melissa my god shut up your really jealous of a nine year old girl grow the hell up." I said.
|I think Melissa gets mad because my kid is the star. She is the most talented girl there. Maddie doesn't hold a candle stick to Christina and that drives Melissa crazy. She tries to get her kid ahead but sorry, sister she can't beat my kid even if she tried. And if Melissa has anything to say about I'm going to step in because nobody talks about my daughter's and gets away with it. I'm here for my daughter and I'm not here to make Melissa my friend.|Christi lukasiak|Dance mom
Solo rehearsal
Four days to competition
"All right, babe your solo is a lyrical theatal called rainbows and it's really adorable and I think it's perfect for your age category." Ms. Abby said.
Ms. Abby and Ms. Gia start choreographing my solo. And I really like it.
|My solo is a lyrical theatrical mystical and I really like it and I hope I win because I don't want Ms. Abby to be disappointed in me|Christina lukasiak (9)|Christi Lukasiak daughter
After I finished my solo, Ms. Abby hugged me.
"Good job, babe you just learned your solo in less than 20 minutes and I know your going to win the whole competition." Ms. Abby said.
I laughed and hugged her back. I was going to thank her but I heard yelling upstairs
Christi POV.
"She literally only favors her daughter and your allowing it to happen!" Melissa screamed at me.
"Melissa shut up! You're literally jealous of a nine year old girl grow up!" I yelled back.
"And it's not Christi's fault that her daughter works harder than all the other girls." Kelly added.
I saw my daughter looking up at me sadly.
"Look at that Melissa your making my daughter upset , why don't you shut up and watch the dance instead of talking about my daughter." I said.
I saw my daughter walk out looking upset, Abby must of sent her out. I looked at Abby and mouthed thank you to her and she gave me a small smile and nodded. A few seconds later the group dance was still practicing.
"Can you believe that Christina has a solo, a trio and a group dance to do?" Melissa asked.
I rolled my eyes
Here we go again. I thought.
"She deserves it. She beat Maddie last year and she's the national overall winner. Don't talk about my daughter." I said.
Christina POV.
"Half step. Switch foot. Good. And then we're going to take that piece from the old dance that we did last year, and let me see that hip, hip, hip. Go." Ms. Abby instructed.
The girls and I stood in a line and did a hip hip hip as Ms. Abby told us to do
Christi POV.
"This is my favorite part." I said.
Christina POV.
I spun around.
Christi POV.
|With all the moms watching our group, it's obvious that they watch my daughter, because she is the star, and your eyes just go directly to her.|Christi lukasiak|Dance mom
"What's up with Christina?" Kelly asked, as I watched my pale daughter to the dance.
"She doesn't feel well, at all. She threw up right before we came here and I told her she can miss a day of rehearsal but she thought that Ms. Abby Will get mad at her for missing a day of rehearsal." I explained.
"Poor baby." Holly said.
"Like, I explained to her that Ms. Abby will understand but she, she still wanted to go to dance." I added.
Christina POV.
I swirled on the floor and did a head role with the rest of the girls.
Christi POV.
"If she pukes, I'm not cleaning it." I said.
Christina POV.
I slide and stood up as the music stopped.
"Babe, I know you're not feeling well, I told your mother to keep you home because she told me you threw up right before you came to dance but she told me that you wanted to come and I love that about you even though you're sick you still manage to make it to dance. We gotta get through this, all right?" Ms. Abby said.
Christi POV.
"She looks paler than ever practically, that's awful." Holly said.
"She's crying." I said.
I stood up just in case my daughter ran out of the room.
Christina POV.
"From the top. Five, six, seven, eight. And hip, hip, hip, hip." Ms. Abby instructed.
I did the dance in tears.
"Sweetie, why-why the tears?" Ms. Abby asked me.
"Because my stomach hurts." I replied.
"See that picture?" Ms. Abby pointed to my spot on the top of the pyramid.
"That's the position you need to be in. You get too emotional. You have to worry about the win and if you're still not feeling well go home I'm not going to be disappointed. No mishaps." Ms. Abby said.
I went to my spot in front of Paige to restart the dance.
"Five, six, seven eight." Ms. Abby counted.
Christi POV.
"Don't tell me she's dancing." Melissa asked.
Christina POV.
I ran and did a leap and ended my dance with the hip. I felt like I was going to throw up.
Christi POV.
"I have to go check on Christina. It looks like she's going to throw up." I said, getting up.
I went downstairs.
Christina POV.
I ran out of the room and to the bathroom and threw up. When I finished throwing up I opened the door and there stood my mom. She picked me up and rubbed my back.
"You okay sweets?" Mom asked.
I shook my head and started crying.
"My stomach hurts." I cried.
Mom shushed me and rubbed my back. She took me in the dressing room and sat down with me on her lap.
"Did you throw up again?" Mom asked.
"Yes." I started crying harder.
"Okay, stop crying. It's making it worse." Mom said.
"I wanna go home." I told my mom.
"Alright, I'll tell Abby that I'll be taking you to the doctor to get you checked out." Mom said.
"Get dressed I'll let ms. Abby know." Mom said, walking away.
Christi POV.
|Christina wasn't feeling well. Her stomach hurt really bad she threw up for the third time. She was crying. I can't stand when a child that is sick. So, I decided to take my little girl to the doctors because I want to make sure she was okay.|Christi lukasiak|Dance mom
I went into studio A where the girls was in rehearsals. I pulled Abby to the side.
"Abby Christina threw up again and I want to take her to the doctor to get checked out to make sure she's ok." I said to Abby.
Abby nodded.
"Okay just bring her in for her privates and make sure she's ready for the competition." Abby said.
"Thanks, Ab." I said walking out.
I walked upstairs to the dance jail to grab my things.
"Chris bug isn't feeling well so I'm taking her to the doctor." I told the moms.
They nodded.
"I'll take Chloe home for you." Kelly said.
"Thanks kells." I said.
I went downstairs Christina was waiting for me. I took her hand and guided her to my car. I opened the door for her and placed a plastic bag in front of her just in case. I closed her door behind her and I got into the drivers seat.
|Christina is a perfectionist in everything she does. But when my child is sick and she's throwing up I'm sorry I'm not going to make them dance like Melissa and they throw up again. She got sick maybe two years ago at dance, but she's never missed dance that is until she threw up. Christina works so hard, because to make it to Broadway or to a TV show, you really need to focus on dance all the time,so we never stop.|Christi lukasiak|Dance mom
I drove to the nearest ER. When we got there. I got my daughter out of the car and led her into the ER. The receptionist lady told me to sign in and wait for my daughter's name to be called. I signed my daughter's name and went to go sit down. I placed my daughter on my lap and rocked her back and forth. A lady smiled at me as I smiled back.
"My name is Charlotte and may I say that your daughter is adorable what's her name?" Charlotte asked.
"Awe thank you and her name is Christina. She's nine years old and have a twin sister named Chloe." I replied.
"She's adorable." Charlotte said.
"Christina Lukasiak." A doctor said.
I stood up, picked my daughter up and followed the doctor to his office.
"I'm doctor Blake, what seems to be the problem?" Doctor Blake asked.
"She's sick. She threw up twice today and I wanna make sure she's okay because she's a dancer at Abby Lee Miller Dance company and if it gets worse I don't want her to overwhelm herself." I explained.
"Let's take a look shall we." Doctor Blake said.
I placed her on the bed in front of doctor Blake. Doctor Blake checked her heartbeat with a stethoscope. Then he looked in her ears and made funny faces causing my daughter to laugh. I smiled because I haven't heard my daughter laugh since I took her from dance and to the doctors. After he checked her out he looked at me.
"It's seems that Christina has the stomach bug it's nothing too serious she can still dance but she needs to take medicine." Doctor Blake said.
I nodded and signed the paperwork.
"So I'm going to make her another appointment to check her weight out to make sure she's ok." Doctor Blake said.
I nodded. Christina hopped down from the bed. I discharged her out and left the ER. Christina and I got in the car and went home. I gave her, her medicine and made her dinner before we all went to bed.
Three day to competition.
"And three, four, five." Ms. Abby instructed.
|We are only three days away from competition in Phoenix. This week, Christina, Chloe and Paige are doing a trio in the musical theatre genre.|Abby Lee Miller|Dance Coach
"Knees together, Paige. You're bowlegged. You need to fix that. Come on. Five, six, seven, go. Shaper, Paige. Hit, hit. You're tall, you're skinny you're a beautiful girl. You can do better than this. Focus on your technique. Shoulder down, legs straight, feet pointed. Let's go." Ms. Abby said.
|People think I'm tough, and I guess I am, but I'd rather be the one that makes your child cry in the privacy of my studio instead of crying in front of 800 people at an open audition.|Abby Lee Miller|Dance Coach
"Sloppy foot. You're right in the middle of the stage, Paige." Ms. Abby said.
🎵My 15 minutes of fame I want it, I want it my 15 minutes of fame🎵
"Stop." Ms. Abby said.
|I want to be the first one that tells them. I want to fix the shoulders and their ribcage, distended neck, their turnout, everything that's wrong before somebody else in the professional world has to tell them.|Abby Lee Miller|Dance Coach
"Paige, come here. I'd have your head on a platter, yes? Do you understand? All right. Man up. Get out there." Ms. Abby said.
|If I seen flaws that haven't been corrected, I correct them. That's my job. And sometimes, that's offensive. I think that's where the tough comes in, but it's like tough love.|Abby Lee Miller| Dance Coach
Kelly POV.
"Here comes my baby " I said.
"Oh... Don't cry, angel." I said.
"Abby was so..." Christina started.
Christi shushed her.
"It's okay. It's okay." I said.
Paige came and hugged me, I hugged her back.
"Don't worry about it." I told her.
"Abby was yelling at me." Paige cried.
Kelly POV.
|These are my two daughters. This is Paige. She's 10, and Brooke is 13. I'm very proud of my daughter's. Brooke has been winning awards since she was six years old, and Paige, also, last year, she won first place for interview.| Kelly Hyland| Dance mom
"I want to show you guys something. This is mommy when she was your age, Brooke." I said, showing my daughters a picture of me when I was 13.
|I was a dancer when I was younger. I have been with Abby since I was two and a half. I have danced with her for 37 years, and I think that's why when I had two girls, I couldn't wait for them to be dancers.| Kelly Hyland| Dance mom
"I want to try competitive cheerleading." Brooke said, as she ate her food.
"Do you know how many kids in your class would like to be Junior Miss Dance of Pennsylvania?" I asked my oldest daughter.
|I don't want Brooke to quit dance, because she's 13, and that's when all the trouble starts.| Kelly Hyland| Dance mom
I mean, when you were younger, you used to get first place all the time. Like, does it matter to you that you're not getting first or second anymore?" I asked Brooke.
"Not really." Brooke replied.
|I hope that my daughters appreciate everything I do for them for dance. I mean, I put a lot of time in it, and a lot of times, they're mean to me, and doesn't show me that they appreciate it, but I think, deep down inside, I know that they appreciate it.| Kelly Hyland| Dance mom
|That's her.| Paige Hyland| Kelly's daughter
Paige and I laughed.
Christina POV.
*Three Days before competition*
"Hey there, lovebug, are you ready to learn your solo?" Miss. Abby asked me.
I nodded.
"You're the only solo that I entered and you were undefeated last year so do you have another win in you? Let's see." Miss. Abby said.
"Okay, remember your solo is called "Rainbow" and it's about a little girl searching for her Rainbow and I want to see her facial expression as you compete." Miss. Abby said.
Miss. Abby explains the dance to me and I got to say it was beautiful and pretty.
I started running my solo without any mistakes and when I was finished Miss. Abby clapped.
"Good job, Lovebug, I think we have a winning number. Go get the group." Miss. Abby said.
I nodded and went to get the girls. Brooke counted down as we danced.
Holly POV.
|I'm optimistic that Nia will have a great year. I want nothing but the best for her, but I also know that Abby's looking at last year's track record| Holly frazier| Dance mom
"Nia! Close and taut arms." Abby instructed.
|I do worry that Nia won't have a fresh slate. New year, same old, same old. Nia has a lot of confidence, and I think Nia has a lot of ability and talent. My goal for Nia this year is really for Nia to grow as a dance.| Holly Frazier| Dance mom.
"Hi, Ab. This is Holly." I said.
|I went to Carnegie-Mellon for my masters, and I'm currently at University of Pennsylvania, and I'm also a principal. People say that I look like Michelle Obama. That's awesome to be equated to the first lady. I'll take that compliment any day, absolutely. I expect Nia, this season, to have an amazing year in dance. Ideally, we would love for her to have a title win.| Holly Frazier| Dance mom
"This is my crown, but I just brought it because I had to have one. I haven't won one in dance but Christina did give me her crown because she kinda felt bad for me being 3rd place to her and she wanted me to feel special." Nia explained.
"You haven't won it yet, but it's coming, right?" I asked.
"Yeah." Nia nodded.
"Yeah, it's coming." I said.
|Nia is not a featured dancer, and that continues to be an issue, and I don't want Nia to always be the backup dancer.| Holly Frazier| Dance mom
"You're going over there. It's forward!" Abby said.
|Abby can be tough. She knows her business very, very well. I think she produces excellent dancers, but she demands a lot.| Holly Frazier| Dance mom
Nia was crying.
"Okay, Nia, Nia, let me see you." I said.
|I am not a doormat, and people cannot walk over me, and they cannot walk over my child. And that's where we draw the line.| Holly Frazier| Dance mom
"Oh, give me a hug. I love you." I said.
|One day, it will be her turn to shine.| Holly Frazier| Dance mom
Third person POV.
*Two Days To Competition*
|Dance has been in my life since I was three years old. My mom danced, my grandma danced, so, Vivi has to dance. I think you like dance.|Cathy nesbitt-stein| Vivi-Anne's mom
"Five, six, seven, eight. Get it up. Two, three." Cathy said.
|I own Candy Apples Dance Center. I have been a dance instructor since 1998.| Cathy nesbitt-stein| Vivi-Anne's mom
"And four, five. This is what you keep forgetting." Cathy stated.
"Why do you keep forgetting this? Just twist, twist. Ugh! ugh!" Cathy added.
|I am absolutely loaded with quirks.| Cathy nesbitt-stein| Vivi-Anne's mom
"I love bunnies. They're soft, and they're cuddly, and they're cute. I like carrots, too. I think carrots are neat, because they go hand-in-hand with bunnies." Cathy explained.
"Pink is my ultimate favorite color, and I like to say that pink is not a color, but it is a way of life." Cathy said.
"I don't like pink." Vivi said.
|I'm an older mom...who is very interested in....Am I allowed to say it? Botox and Restylane. It's important that I look good, because I don't want people to think that I'm Vivi's grandma. You'll like me. I'm flamboyant and I'm funny. But just don't push my buttons, and we won't have any altercations. With Vivi being six, and I've coached her now since she's been 18 months now, I think that it's time that we bring somebody else in, because if I say something to Vivi, and she's gonna bust out in tear, my heart is gonna break, because I don't want to do that to Vivi. But if another coach says to her, "Look, Vivi, you've got to straighten your knee on that Y-Scale..." And that's...You have no options.| Cathy nesbitt-stein| Vivi-Anne's mom
Cathy POV.
"I own Candy Apples Dance Center. Does that ring any bell?" I asked.
"Oh, so you're the dance teacher?" Abby asked.
"I am the dance teacher." I replied.
"I'm sorry. And this is...your daughter?" Abby asked.
"This is my daughter." I nodded.
"So you're here as the mom?" Abby asked.
"I'm here as the mom." I agreed.
"Not the dance teacher?" Abby asked.
"No, I'm..." I started.
"You're not looking for a job?" Abby asked.
"Oh no." I said.
"Okay, okay." Abby said.
"Yet." I said.
"All right." Abby said.
"We just wanted to give her a boost. I would like to see her compete with you, this weekend." I said.
"This weekend?" Abby asked.
"This weekend. Um...we can do it. We can do it. Okay. Can't we? We... You go, girlfriend. We can do it." I said, giving my daughter a high-five.
Abby POV.
|Mom's come from all over to bring their children to me. They want to apart of the Abby Lee Dance Company. They come for me.| Abby Lee Miller| Owner
"Do you want to do tricks first? Want to lay on your tummy and show me touch your feet to your head?" I asked.
Vivi laid on her tummy and touched her feet to her head.
|I see Vivi having some talent. And she's extremely flexible. She's got a beautiful point. I'm hoping she's had a dancers body.| Cathy nesbitt-stein| Vivi-Anne's mom
"How about your foot limber?" I asked.
Vivi stared at her mom.
"Handstand. To a backbend." I confirmed.
"No." Cathy said.
"No?" I asked.
"We actually prepared a little piece for you to see, it's just a little duo that we started this year, but she'll just do it as a solo for you? Is that okay?" Cathy asked.
"Okay, that's...you want to do that?" I asked, looking at them.
|Cathy came into my studio, and her daughter Vivi auditioned. I thought it was ridiculous. She demanded that she be in the competition this weekend. That's not realistic. There is no way Vivi-Anne is ready to compete this weekend. I need to work with her a lot more before she's ready.| Abby Lee Miller| Owner
"Here's the thing--and you know this from having your own school--." I said.
"Yes." Cathy agreed.
"I have people that want to be in the dance company just to get the outfit. "The money doesn't matter, here's my kid, do whatever you want." I need Mom to step out of the picture, so I'm going to be the teacher, all right? You're going to look at me." I said.
|Maybe it's just time for me to be the mom, and for somebody else to be the coach.| Cathy nesbitt-stein| Vivi-Anne's mom
"Mom? I'll take you out front." I said.
"Okay." Cathy nodded.
"And we'll get you signed up and ready." I said.
"Ok! Okay." Cathy said.
"And you're, you're sure we're good on this?" I asked.
"We are, we're going to get signed up?" Cathy asked.
"Yep." I replied.
"What do you say?" Cathy asked, her daughter while giving her a high-five.
"Go give her a big hug!" Cathy added.
Vivi ran over to me and hugged me, I hugged her back.
|I think that Abby is the one that's going to really be making out when it comes to me and Vivi being a package deal. I may be just able to interject with that one little, "Well, maybe a ciseaux here would work." I'm going to be able to bring things to the table.| Cathy nesbitt-stein| Vivi-Anne's mom
Samantha POV.
*One Day To Competition*
"A-Five, six, seven, eight and one and two... Five, six, seven, eight and...make sure that your supporting foot is turning out. I want everyone to watch." Miss. Abby ordered.
Everybody sat on the floor as I danced to the solo Party, Party, Party.
|Dawn's daughter was called into my class for a routine that she was picked special for, and she had socks and a T-Shirt on.| Abby Lee Miller|Owner
"I don't care if you're taping; I'm going in there to kill her." Minister mom said.
|They were to wear tights and a leotard. I made two other children change their clothes."Because it's acro-we're doing a lot on our knees--and they have to be in their bare feet.| Abby Lee Miller|Owner
Minister Dawn opens the door and interrupts rehearsal.
"May I speak with you for a minute?" Minister Dawn asked.
"No, I'm in rehearsal." Miss. Abby replied.
"I want to speak with you. You don't throw my kid out of class--I paid for class." Dawn said.
"She's not dressed appropriately." Miss. Abby said.
"I'm looking at every single kid out here, Abby! They all look like children! Isn't that crazy, that children look like children! She's dressed appropriately!" Minister Dawn yelled.
"You're a minister. Act like one." Miss. Abby said.
"Yes, I'm a minister! Let's play the Bible game, Abby! When Jesus saw things that were wrong, he went after it! And I'll tell you what, you're not gonna do that to my kid!" Minister Dawn yelled.
"Out of the room. Out, out. Regan? Good-bye. Out, out." Miss. Abby ordered.
"You're not throwing her out." Dawn said.
"Oh, yes, I am. And you with her. Go." Miss. Abby ordered.
"No, you're not." Dawn said.
"Yes." Miss. Abby nodded.
Abby POV.
"Every week we put the trash out. Go." I ordered.
"Then take yourself out! Cause you're the biggest piece of trash there is!" Dawn yelled.
"You cannot take acrobatics class in socks. I told you the clothes to take are your two-piece costume. There's a big difference. How can you remember that, and you can't remember to turn your feet out? Huh? Christina can turn her foot out and she's nine years old. That's pathetic. Go somewhere else. Take your money, take your kid, take your socks. Find another school." I said.
"Does it not hit in your head that maybe you're wrong?" Dawn asked, ignoring what Abby said.
"No." I said.
"Do you not get it?" Dawn asked.
"I don't get it. I know I'm right." I said.
"Why are you right?" Dawn asked.
"It's my building. My name's is on the front of it." I said.
"So what?! You keep telling her how stupid she is." Dawn said, following me.
"She's not stupid. She just can't read. The...The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." I said.
Dawn chuckled.
"Oh, so you're saying I'm stupid? Are you?" Dawn asked.
"Well, you don't...." I started.
"I've got more education than you will ever have! Then you will ever have! Because I went to school. Unfortunately, you didn't." Dawn yelled.
"May I have your phone please?" I asked one of my senior students.
"Call the police. Go for it!" Dawn yelled.
"I'm sorry, class. There's a psycho in every batch." I apologized.
"A psycho, yes. Her name's Abigail Miller!" Dawn yelled.
"Hi, I need police at 7123 Salzburg." I said.
Holly POV.
"You okay, Dawn?" I asked.
"No, no, no. Are you okay?" I asked again.
"No! I'm not!" Dawn replied.
"Okay, shh." I said, rubbing her shoulder.
Abby POV.
"We have a.... a parent that's out of control." I said, still on the phone with the police.
Holly POV.
"I can't stand her!" Dawn said.
I shushed her.
Abby POV.
*One Day To Competition*
"Call the police. Go for it!" Dawn yelled.
|Dawn came in the studio screaming. She just was going from room to room She was just at the brink| Melissa Ziegler| Dance mom
"I don't know she went outside. I walked into a room. My senior company is warming up in another room and I went into there." I said, to the police.
"Let's go, guys. Let's get in the other room. Thank you. Sorry you had to see that." I said to my senior company.
"A little shaky. I have to get myself together. Get back into rehearsal and worry about the competition this weekend." I said.
Christina POV.
|Every weekend we go to a new competition. All this competing is about the Nationals. This week happens to be Phenix Arizona. West Coast Dance Explosion is an amazing convention and competition. It's a big deal. The stage, the light, the sound--everything is top-notch. And they're very, very qualified judges.| Abby Lee Miller| Owner
"All right, let's get this luggage moving." Miss. Abby said.
|When we walk in anywhere for a dance competition, we're like the glammed -up Beverly Hillbillies. I mean, we've got Dream Duffels and rolling makeup cases and light-up makeup mirrors.| Christi Lukasiak| Dance mom
"Now remember the competition starts right here, right now. Do you understand? Let's go." Miss Abby said.
|Every time that Abby Lee Dance Company walks into a competition they're representing a legacy kids who've danced before then that were amazing and so much is at stake because we don't want to be the ones who.....lose.| Christi Lukasiak| Dance mom
Christina POV.
My mom and Kelly were laughing loudly as Ms. Abby was signing us in. Ms. Abby shushed them. Chloe and I held us as we listened to the rules that Ms. Abby gave us.
"Okay, listen to me. I don't want any flip-flops. I don't want booty shorts walking through here. You make sure you are covered and dressed appropriately. Do you understand?" Ms. Abby asked.
|And then Abby starts with her rules. "Girls!"|Christi Lukasiak|Dance mom
"Everyone straighten up." Ms. Abby said.
The girls and our mothers walked into our dressing room.
|Whenever we go to completions, it's a whirlwind of hair, makeup, mayhem. Who's going to get the best spot? Whose hair is going to get done first? Who's going to look the best? It is beyond crazy.|Holly Frazier|Dance mom
"Hey." Ms. Abby greeted when she walked into the room.
"How we doing, guys?" Ms. Abby asked.
"Good." Mom replied.
"I hate this last-minute crap, ladies. Okay, first we have the group dance, then the trio and last but not least Christina's solo." Ms. Abby said.
"Okay, where are the hat? Can I see the hats?" Ms. Abby asked.
"It looks nice." Holly said.
"I think it's great." Ms. Abby said.
"No, it's good." Mom said.
"Look what Christi did." Kelly said.
"Oh okay. Listen, get them in hair and makeup and get ready to go." Ms. Abby said, as mom did Chloe's makeup.
While mom worked on Chloe's makeup I did my own makeup and I got my costume on.
Costume:
|The fact that the hats weren't done a hour before we were going on stage is very typical. We are always stoning costumes five minutes before we go on. Or doing the hats. Everything is always last minute.|Kelly Hyland|Dance mom
"Same thing, over and over every time we compete. I told you about the nails. I don't care if you have fake nails polish the white draws attention to your hands. And everybody doesn't have it." Ms. Abby told Brooke and Paige.
"I told her I wasn't taking it off." Kelly said.
"So why?" Ms. Abby asked.
"Because I just paid to have them done. They're french it's not like she has pink, purple nail polish." Kelly replied.
"I don't think this is where we're supposed to be going. I think I was supposed to be talking about the group. And our dance." Ms.al Abby said.
"Whatever, but." Kelly started.
""It's not whatever." Ms. Abby said.
"You brought it up." Kelly said.
"Right. You need to listen to me." Ms. Abby said.
"Then you can give me the $20 to take them off of her nails and off of her sisters nails." Kelly said.
"Can you hand me my purse?" Ms. Abby asked.
"Give me 20 bucks." Ms. Abby said.
Christi POV.
"Do you want to get a drink?" I whispered to Kelly.
Kelly and I rushed out of the dressing room and ran to the bar by the lobby.
"Let's sit down and have a drink. Nobody will know where we are. We're missing the action. If she screams at those kids one more time, I'm gonna lose it. I said.
"Your daughter is the favorite." Kelly pointed out.
"Yeah I know and Melissa is not happy about it. I mean, come on, she's jealous of a nine year old little girl and she doesn't care whether she makes my daughter cry or not as long as her daughter is the top girl she doesn't care." I said.
"How many times did Christina beat Maddie? Plenty of times." Kelly said.
"Oh, my God." Kelly said.
"I am not getting my twins head shots." I said, taking a sip of my wine.
"I spent $30 billion to dance for them, and then you get shit all over." I said.
"Cheers. To dance." I said.
"To dance." Kelly said, clicking her glass with mine.
Kelly and I laughed.
Abby POV.
I opened the door and walked into the lobby and I see Christi and Kelly at the bar getting drinks instead of helping their daughters with there hair and makeup.
|I cannot believe it. These moms are ridiculous. They are in a bar drinking, and their kid needs to be on stage in 20 minutes. Bad parenting 101.|Abby Lee Miller|Dance Coach
"Good Lord." Christi said.
"Hey, what's going on?" I asked.
"We're having a cocktail." Kelly replied.
"Am I babysitting?" I asked.
"Do you want a drink?" Christi asked.
"No, no. I don't drink while I'm working. Are you two good to go?" I replied.
"Yeah, we're going to leave in a minute." Christi replied.
"All right." I said, walking away.
Christi POV.
"Go away." I said, as Kelly laughed.
"We're double fisted. It's not good." Kelly said.
"I don't double fist when I'm with my kids. I double fist when I'm in college." I said.
Kelly and I went back to the dressing room.
Christina POV.
"No more makeup, honey." Melissa said.
|Ms. Melissa doesn't like my mom because I beat her daughter, Maddie in Nationals last season and she can't stand when her daughter loses. I just think that Ms. Melissa needs to stop picking fights with my mom because it's upsetting watching them fight when I'm supposed to be learning my dance| Christina lukasiak|Christi's daughter.
"Our mom's are back." Paige giggled.
I nodded while Chloe giggled too. 20 minutes later. The girls and I are waiting backstage for the judges to call our name.
|Today is the competition, and it's going to be hectic. I have a solo, I have a trio and I have a group number. The judges are going to be looking for flawless techniques, innovative choreography, perfect precision, and fabulous costumes. We're getting ready for the group dance and I am under a lot of stress. For parents, this is an after school activity. For me, it is my livelihood.|Abby Lee Miller| Dance Coach
|The one person that can mess us up backstage is Abby, because she just always comes back and like frustrates us. She's like, "Don't forget your dances! Straighten your legs, point your feel, and you'll be fine." And it kinda makes us really nervous, and so we don't really like her being backstage with us.|Paige Hyland|Kelly's daughter
"And next up to the stage, it'll be Junior Jazz Group "Party, Party, Party " The announcer called us.
*Christina is in the middle*
|My daughter's have so much talent and they are just so beautiful on that stage. I couldn't keep my eyes off of my two twins. When them girls dance together it's like they're one person. I just find so much joy when I see Christina and Chloe dancing on stage, and I know that they are going to be stars, one day|Christi lukasiak|Dance mom
Christina POV.
When the dance Brooke and I threw confetti at the judges, while the crowd clapped and cheered for us.
|Even though the number was easy, they still did great. And our girls always win. No matter where we go, it seems like we place.|Kelly Hyland|Dance mom
It was time for the Group performance Awards. The girls and I sat on stage hold hands hoping to win first.
"Okay. So, here we go. We're going to start with the juniors. Our Junior Musical Theatre. In third place, with a score of 274, goes to..."Party, Party, Party." The announcer said.
Paige got up and received the reward.
|Um, I was undefeated, and I won 11 competitions, and I don't really know what it's like to lose, like...I never got third or lower. I've always got second and first.|Christina lukasiak|Christi daughter
|Losing never really feels good. It's not the greatest feeling.| Chloe lukasiak|Christi daughter
|I really needed these girls to get their act together. If we end up third place at the next few competitions, we're going to be doomed at Nationals.|Abby Lee Miller|Dance Coach
|"Party, Party, Party" was such a disappointment. It's win with the trio and solo or go home losers.|Christi lukasiak|Dance mom
Kelly and my mom rush to the dressing room to get Paige, Chloe and I ready for our trio. I did my own hair and makeup while mommy worked on Chloe's hair and makeup. After I did my hair and makeup we got on our costumes.
Custume:
We all ran out of the dressing room and backstage. Our number was called and we took our spots on the stage.
After we was done, I ran to the dressing room to change into my solo custume.
Custume:
I put my hair up in a bun and go join the other girls for the trio awards.
|Winning means a lot to me, because it feels really good, and it feels like, ooh, yay! I never get tired of winning.|Chloe lukasiak|Christi daughter
"Okay, teams, listen up! Starting off, in duo-trio, a second place they scored 266 goes to "Money." Our remaining overall high score duo trio with a score of 282 out of 300 first place goes to Abby Lee Dance Company: Pin Up Girls!" The announcer said.
The girls and I got up to collect our reward. Afterwards I go back stage with miss Abby and my mom.
"Listen babe, you are the most talented dancer out there and you need to go out there and be the professional that I know you can." Ms. Abby said.
I nodded and hugged her and my mom.
"Now in the junior solo category 286 is Ms. Christina performing Rainbows." The announcer said.
When he said my name I sassy walk on stage and do a pose.
Abby POV.
As I'm watching Christina on stage I'm just amazed on how a powerful little girl can dance like that, I hold Christi's hand I'm still a little mad at her for Chloe's headpiece falling her front of her face in the trio and how she yelled at me in the hallway but at least she has one talented daughter.
Christina POV.
After I finished my solo I strutted off stage, Brooke Mackenzie and Chloe waited for me back stage. Chloe, Brooke and Mackenzie hugged me while I giggled and hugged them back. The solo awards were going on so I sat on stage next to my friends.
"Okay, in the top two solo junior division second place goes to act number 285, miss Amanda with superstar and in the first is act number 285 with a score of 299 out of 300 is miss Christina with Rainbows." The Announcer said.
Chloe and Mackenzie hurried me up and I got up and recieve my award.
"What's your name of your studio?" The judge asked.
"Abby Lee Dance Company." I grinned.
The girl Amanda and I bowed and went back to our team. In the hallway I met up with my mom wnd miss Abby who gave me a hug
"Good job love bug. Another clean sweep." Miss Abby priased me.
The girls and I packed up and went home.