The Eldest Ziegler

Everyones Replaceable

Time for another competition season and I know that there is gonna probably be a lot of drama this year.

At the end of last season we went to nationals and won! Woohoo! Then we went to LA to be in a music video for an artist named Lux. It was super fun being a backup dancer and it was also super exciting because Chloe got the special role so she got to play young Lex.

Then we went on break from competition for a couple of months, but of course we still trained all the time. Over the break, I took a lot of technique classes and I started learning how to dance in pointe shoes.

Now, I'm 12 years old and in the 6th grade.

Me, the girls and the moms walked into Studio A to get ready for pyramid. I had totally forgotten about pyramid!

"Come on, girls! Let's go!" Miss. Abby says, "Let's go! Hello, ladies."

The girls and I all got into a line in front of Miss. Abby and the pyramid.

"How's it going?" Miss. Abby asked.

"Good."

"Where's Holly?" Miss. Abby asked, looking over at the moms then at Nia, "Nia, where's your mother?"

"She's at work," Nia answered.

Miss. Abby made a face and said, "Not gonna happen. Yes, she needs to leave work, leave the job, forget it, and be here with you. That's what's important, yes? You want this. I know you want it. I know you love it. She has to love it for you."

Well, this was getting off to a great start.

Then Miss. Abby moves on, "Now, first of all, you're national champions. It was a great competition at Starbound in Lake Tahoe. That's something to be very proud of. Then we got to L.A., we did a video. People know who you are now from watching that video. But you're a target. When you walk in, it's gonna be all about beating the Abby Lee Dance Company."

Ever since the music video and the first season of 'Dance Moms' came out, we started getting a lot of attention from people and we are known by people now. It was super cool to think that people get excited about watching our show.

"We all know that Cathy's not here," Miss. Abby continued, "because Cathy wasn't a team player. Where did that get Vivi-Anne? Nowhere. I'm gonna have an open audition; a casting call for a new dancer for the Abby Lee Dance Company."

A smile came onto my face when Miss. Abby told us about the casting call, we always needed new people on our team because it makes us better. But when I looked over at the moms, everyone but my mom looked nervous.

"Tell everybody you know that we're looking for a new girl for this group," Miss. Abby tells us, Maybe two new girls. Everyone's replaceable. Are you next?" Then Miss. Abby turned to the pyramid and started at the bottom, "First, Mackenzie. You can't sit on the couch and eat chips. You're not six and under. You're seven and over. And I expect the same thing from you as Maddie did when she was seven."

I don't understand why Mackenzie had to be just like Maddie but I didn't say anything.

"Next, Brooke," Miss. Abby continued, "Brooke, why are you on the bottom of this pyramid? You had a great season, but you took a break. You didn't show up to class. Paige, same thing. You can't take a vacation. New rule: dancing year-round."

"Nia, you want to win a title. It's all about a title. Every time I talk to your mother, it gets back to the title. You mother could care less about you winning a title. She's not even here," Miss. Abby tells Nia then continues, revealing my new headshot, "Monica, you had your best season last year, you won your first two crowns, and you beat your rival Amber. I am super proud."