Bittersweet | Dance Moms

FROM BALLERINAS TO SHOWGIRLS (s1 ep9)

This week, the girls found themselves in the vibrant city of Las Vegas, buzzing with anticipation as they prepared for their next competition. The bright lights and bustling energy of the Strip were a stark contrast to the quiet determination etched on their faces. Each girl was dressed neatly, with Virella standing out in a pristine white dress that fell gracefully to her knees, paired with sleek black sandals that clicked softly on the pavement.

"Come on, girls," Melissa called out, holding the door of the rented van open. Her tone was chipper but carried an unmistakable urgency. The girls piled out, chattering among themselves as they grabbed their dance bags and costumes, their excitement tinged with nervous energy.

As they walked into the spacious studio Abby had rented for the week, their chatter quickly faded. The studio was modern and bright, its walls lined with mirrors reflecting the Las Vegas sunshine. The polished floors gleamed, promising long hours of intense rehearsals. The girls placed their belongings along the wall, stealing glances at one another as they waited for Abby to enter.

"Welcome to Las Vegas!" Abby announced as she strode into the room, her presence commanding immediate attention. She clapped her hands together, surveying the group. "This week is Thunderstruck, and we are here to win. We have four days to prepare, and this group, this particular group, has never not placed in the overall high scores."

The girls nodded silently, the weight of her words sinking in. Abby gestured toward the covered pyramid displayed at the front of the room. As always, the headshots were concealed by crisp paper, but this week, something was different. There was one less spot on the pyramid, and off to the side sat a lone headshot, also covered.

"Before we get to the pyramid, let's reflect on Starpower," Abby began, pacing in front of the girls. "Some of you did really good," she said, her gaze lingering on Virella, "but as a whole? Not so great. I brought Brandon in because I thought he would elevate the group. I should've replaced some of you. The dance was a mess."

Kelly scoffed audibly, crossing her arms. "I told you to replace them, Abby," she shot back.

Abby didn't miss a beat. "Well, I didn't. And maybe you should focus on your own kids instead of telling me how to do my job," she snapped.

Kelly rolled her eyes but bit her tongue, knowing this wasn't the time or place for a full-blown argument.

Abby continued. "You need to be flawless."

She turned to the pyramid, her sharp gaze silencing any lingering murmurs. With a dramatic flourish, she uncovered the bottom headshot, revealing Vivianne's picture marked with a large red X.

"Vivianne," Abby said flatly, her voice void of emotion. The room tensed, and Virella's jaw dropped slightly in shock, her lips curling into a faint, surprised smile before she quickly composed herself.

"She's not here. Her mother made it very clear that they were not traveling to Las Vegas. And you know what? This poor little girl is going to suffer because of it. Let this be a lesson to all of you—and your mothers. If you don't follow the rules and you don't give me 100%, I will yank your number from the competition."

The room was silent as Abby moved on. She uncovered Mackenzie's photo next. "Mackenzie, honey, I'm sorry you lost your duet partner. But I want you to spend this week practicing your jumps and tricks because next week, you will definitely be competing."

"Okay," Mackenzie replied softly, her small voice barely audible.

Next came Paige's turn. Abby tore off the paper covering her headshot. "Paige," she said, her tone sharp. "Your performance is good, but your mother isn't. You're not winning, and you're not placing in overalls. You should definitely be in the top ten, and this is your city. You have the long legs, you have the look, yes? Because of that, Paige, you're getting a solo."