<p>I respect her credentials but still don’t see why an intelligent, successful professional would choose to put herself and her child on this kind of show. There are all kinds of ethical problems regarding children and “reality” television. Is a child capable of knowing what it means to appear in a show as him/herself, sacrificing the privacy most kids enjoy in which to make mistakes, fall down, be a kid? How will he or she feel about it later? </p>
<p>And no matter how real a cast member tells us the show is (and the dance director herself has given several interviews in which she says the show is entertainment, not reality), you only have to watch for 3 minutes to notice the sheepish expressions, half-hearted line delivery, and lame set-ups.</p>
<p>OMG, I just saw my first episode of this this past weekend (they must have been having a marathon of last season) and both my D and I got HOOKED - we watched several episodes including the one last night! I usually HATE this type of reality show, but dang it, they got me right now! </p>
<p>I would love to read the interview Holly (the principal mom) gave - have a link? </p>
<p>It totally CRACKS me up how the moms are always dressed to the nines and jump right on the bus/plane/train to follow Abby to her next whim.</p>
<p>My D’s danced - my oldest for years and we went to some dance competitions but only one a year and not too competitively - but our eyes were definitely opened to other studios REALLY getting serious about this whole business.</p>
<p>haha, yes I am well acquainted with Cathy Nesbitt-Stein and her nastiness. My D has taken class from her a few times (out of necessity for being in the Nutcracker) and has been competing against her studio at Dance Masters competitions since she was 6 years old. </p>
<p>Cathy is not a nice person and the show is not trying to make her look bad - she is really that mean. At competitions she used to get up, talk and walk up and down the aisle while I was trying to watch my daughters routines. She has called our studio names and specifically has been nasty toward my daughter and 2 of her dancing friends because they beat her girls a few times and she hates that. She has made comments that “those kids just look like they got pulled off the street, no technique, blah blah blah.” Told someone if it wasn’t for being able to do gymnastics, my daughter wouldn’t have any chance. (this was when she was 8 years old)</p>
<p>I witnessed her be cruel to a 10 year old who was crying because she didn’t place in a title competition. She told her that this is what happens when you don’t win and that she needs to stop crying. etc… She has also made comments that she doesn’t think heavy dancers should ever be placed in the front. Yes, I have had waaaaay too much experience with Cathy. I have seen Abby’s kids dance and they almost always win. They are fantastic. I think Abby is portrayed as very evil but she really isn’t as bad as she seems. (Not that I would EVER let my daughter get spoken to the way Abby does to her kids…but it’s a show so…)</p>
<p>I should add, I am a “dance mom” and there are women like these on the show at every competitive studio. This show may magnify/exaggerate but it is pretty good representation. I have seen it all over the years. The moms are worse than the kids and it is at that elementary age that it is tremendous competiton and backstabbing as girls try to cement their place as stars of the studio. </p>
<p>The dance world is very small and it is easy to descend into the madness when your kids are young. Trust me, I have been there. And I don’t mean to sound as bad as Cathy but she has been truly inappropriate and insulting to my daughter and other children over the years. Downright hurtful. Ok, rant over and moving on with my life, Cathy free!</p>
<p>Wow, Mspearl, sounds like you do have first hand experience!</p>
<p>The last studio we were at (new owner) had signs of turning into “this” type of studio. And there were some moms who seemed to definitely kiss the dance director’s feet. I was perfectly happy when my youngest wanted to switch to a low key, “just for fun” studio. We started to get the feeling that if we didn’t jump in both feet, we were just studio fodder - a family to collect a check from each month. No thanks!</p>
<p>I was a dance mom at SAB (NY City Ballet) with a son for 9 years who performed with ABT in roles until he reached 5 feet height , which is the maximum height for kid parts . I will never forget the time he had a nice part with the Bolshoi in Sleeping Beauty with a bit of real dancing . The director ( Russian ) pointed at my son’s feet and said "Faster " to which my son stomped his foot back ! He was switched with a boy who had a non-dancing part . We will never forget that ! I loved being back stage at the Met in NYC . My 9 year D was offered a part in the Children’s Chorus at the Met , if she "could lose 10 pounds ". We couldn’t believe this as she was average build ,but the costumes were for very skinny girls .</p>
<p>Somehow I have gotten caught up in Dance Moms and Abby Lee’s Ultimate Dance Competition. I don’t know why. My D did not do competitive dance, and I really don’t enjoy the conflict between the mothers, but I am intrigued by the actually dancing that these young girls do.</p>
<p>Is anyone watching the dance competition this season? If so, does anyone think Gianna (the one with the loudest-mouthed mother) looks like a young Judy Garland? I had to watch a few episodes before I finally decided who she reminded me of, but I think in some camera shots when she’s not smiling, she bears a striking resemblance to Dorothy.</p>
<p>We watch Dance Moms religiously (it’s on break right now) but not Ultimate Dance. The dance moms crack me up. Sorry to see little Asia go - she is freakishly talented for a 6 year old. How can she dance like that at age 6? Her mom is a piece of work - maybe literally - are her “girls” real!!! </p>
<p>Are any of the regular Dance Mom dancers on Ultimate???</p>
<p>The moms and dancers are different on Dance Moms and Ultimate Dance, but Asia was a contestant on Ultimate Dance last season, before she was on Dance Moms. Maddie made a guest appearance on Ultimate Dance a few weeks ago.</p>
<p>I have two left feet so I am amazed at the talent of these little girls.</p>
<p>I have a friend who was a NY Rockette. She has so many back problems and so much pain now that it seems impossible. Putting young bodies through so much stress has consequences.</p>
<p>I know this is an old thread that somehow got resurrected but yes, I am a sucker for this show, although as the seasons have been going on, it makes me a little sad that you see them all start going “Hollywood” (the makeup, the clothes and the hair are getting more elaborate on them all by the episode, even the kids are looking “styled”).</p>
<p>I liked it best the first season. Also whatever happened to that song by Lux? That was a catchy little tune.</p>
<p>My DD is a dance major and did competitive dance with her studio for 14 years. She can’t imagine life without dance. She has competed against Abby Lee’s dancers in the past, the older ones mainly, who are not on the show. They are amazing dancers. They are well trained technically and actually Abby Lee never revealed any of the “drama” that she portrays on the show. The dancers were all extremely nice and we never had any problems with them at all. I am glad they are keeping dance in the mainstream - my DD will need a job when she graduates But I hate that there is so much drama, but if there wasn’t then no one would wathc.</p>
<p>and the Ultimate Dance competition too. And I’m really not quite sure why…</p>
<p>I never danced and my D didn’t dance as kid, though we both love musical theatre. I record it and fast-forward through the mama-drama for the most part. I often wonder how much is real. I cringe when I hear Abby placing <em>so</em> much emphasis on winning whereas I would have emphasized doing your best and personal improvement. I love seeing how much the girls support each other regardless of how their moms are behaving.</p>
<p>And yes, I occasionally watch Toddlers & Tiaras too, but my D suspects that I watch it when I’m feeling down and need to feel like a superior mom </p>
<p>My current suspicion is that the Ultimate Dance show is really more about auditioning mother-child pairs for future appearances on Dance Moms, than it is about finding & funding a rising young dancer.</p>
<p>I watch both as well. I’m a former dancer, but my d never got into it. I was more a trained technical dancer than for competitions.</p>
<p>It makes me sad to see how poorly these girls are treated. And some of that technique makes me shudder - Maddie’s turns are never on full releve, and the fact those girls are on pointe at this age tells me it’s not even a halfway decent ballet studio.</p>
<p>I believe Kelly’s kids don’t even train anymore, and I don’t know how it can possibly be covered up for too much longer that they and Nia aren’t really up to the same level. I think Kendall really kicked butt at nationals.</p>
<p>I know a lot of it is just fake, but I’m starting to wonder why some of these moms put up with this for their girls - those tears look real to me. </p>
<p>I thought Asia was something else, but I can’t believe a 6/7 yo would dance that provocatively and sexually and that it would be okay with mom and Abbey.</p>
But I hate that there is so much drama, but if there wasn’t then no one would wathc.</p>