Dance Moms

[allsmiles3]

Originally Posted by ColdInCanada11

I've read several interviews with Abby. From what I can recall, she formed her own dance company at 14, because she knew that while she was a good dancer, she was a stronger choreographer. This may have been true in the past, but it appears like Gianna (or whatever her assistant's name is) does most of it, at least for the girls that we see. My issue with studios like this (especially now that they have a new dance each week), there are about 15 "staple" movements that are in every single dance and it's kind of a mix-n-match, with little else in it. You shouldn't recognise a studio because each dance is the same.

Yeah honestly, if you look at each solo and group routine, the common dance moves/tricks are aerials and second turns. All. the. time.

[groovypq]

I hear her screechy voice in the commercials and can barely stomach even that.

[ellebud]

Actually, she had gastric bypass...but she bypassed it.

[carnation]

Who's Candy Apple Cathy? I got sort of a vague idea that she was a former Abby mother.

[Always AlphaGam]

Originally Posted by carnation

Who's Candy Apple Cathy? I got sort of a vague idea that she was a former Abby mother.

She was a former Abby mom who runs her own dance studio in Ohio. She brought her daughter Vivi (did that girl ever SPEAK?) to Abby Lee's studio because of its reputation as being one of the best.

I'm pretty sure she was manufactured drama brought in by the producers. She never rode in the competition bus with the other moms.

She was briefly in the episode last night, making her own pyramid with her own dancers.

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by carnation

Who's Candy Apple Cathy? I got sort of a vague idea that she was a former Abby mother.

Cathy is the one with the very short, two toned awful looking hair. She was only technically a former "Abby mom". She owns a dance studio for kids and competes them against Abby at a lot of the dance competitions.

As Always Alpha Gam said, it is pretty clear that Cathy & her daughter Vivi were brought into the ALDC only for drama & TV ratings. She was there to do nothing but stir the pot and be nasty. Poor little Vivi couldn't dance for squat.

[GammaPhi88]

I grew up dancing, and I thought I'd like it since I love trashy reality TV, but I couldn't make it past one episode. I've had many dance teachers, and the one who taught me the most was really tough, but she did it in a motivating way, to the point where I am in my twenties and still look to her for guidance. While I think dancers should be taught hard work and the ability to handle criticism at a young age, there is a line between the teacher who is tough on their students, and the teacher like that who uses intimidation and fear. Abby is a psycho bitch, and I would never send a child into that environment. I'd rather be screamed at by my scariest law professor than take a class from her.

I have had one of those borderline abusive teachers; if anyone has seen the MTV True Life episode where the cover theatre camp, he was the tough dance teacher. They gave him a good edit...while MTV shows him as tough but fair, they didn't show him cursing and throwing chairs at his students. Some dancers are of the school that, "it's tough out there, but that kind of motivation is good". I disagree. If I'm terrified of my instructor, I'm not going to learn better...I'm going to be miserable through class in fear of messing up. Since you have to make mistakes and mess up in order to perform better, what good is that?

[ellebud]

Cathy and her Candy Apples were one of the studios that was under consideration as the focal point for the series. She didn't have the "it" factor to carry a show. But she plunked herself down to cause (more) drama and angst between the moms/Abby and the moms/Cathy and the moms.

Too bad she never saw What Not To Wear.......

[VandalSquirrel]

In regards to Dance Moms, I watch it because Abby Lee used some killer Drag Queen tracks from Shangela Laquifa Wadley and Erickatoure Aviance, and then had Shangela teach Nia the Death Drop for the end of "My Pumps" by Erickatoure. She nailed a Legendary Ball Room move and she had a good time doing it. Nia is my favorite and her mom Holly is my favorite mom. Oh Nia, "Let the fierce be with you!" gurl!

[KSUViolet06]

Fun fact: Candy Apples is like 30ish minutes from where I live and go to school. lol.

[psusue]

A friend of mine who works at the Forever 21 at the Monroeville Mall in Pittsburgh saw Abby Lee there a few days ago. She apparently buys dance outfits from there and is a real b about returning things.

My first thought about hearing this "they make her size in F21 clothes?!"

[tinydancer]

Originally Posted by psusue

A friend of mine who works at the Forever 21 at the Monroeville Mall in Pittsburgh saw Abby Lee there a few days ago. She apparently buys dance outfits from there and is a real b about returning things.

My first thought about hearing this "they make her size in F21 clothes?!"

That was my first thought as well.

[BlueOwl]

My daughter was involved with a dance studio for many years and we attended many conventions etc., so naturally I was very curious about Dance Moms. I think the show is awful! I can't help but think that much of the drama is created for the benefit of the show. Why in the world would any parent in their right mind subject their child to someone like Abby...unless they were being compensated? The dancers are very talented, but I just can't stand the show. Yuk! Deprogrammed from my DVR!!!

[carnation]

I finally watched the second episode online. Abby's main (no doubt contrived) expression: one of shock. As in, "They reported me for having an overage child?" I did feel sorry for Cathy this time because her girls should have won that competition.

[CeCe Newbie]

I was so surprised that Candy Apple's didn't win with their group number. It was obviously better than Abby Lee's!

That whole age debacle was a low blow.