JILL VERTES: Abby, don't you think those girls
were much older than ours?
They looked much older.
That's my job.
I need to worry about that.
JILL VERTES: You think those girls
were nine and 10 years old?
ABBY LEE MILLER: No, I don't think they were nine and 10.
However, I look like an idiot that I
just can't win on our own talent and choreography--
JILL VERTES: I think we can win.
--and costuming, that I have to call somebody out because I
think their kids are too old.
I'm going to have to walk out of here
with my tail between my legs, getting
beat by Cathy from Candy Apple.
And I'm a little worried.
I think you should be worried, too.
[music playing]
[cheering]
It's not Amish.
Yes, it is.
No, you should know that.
That's '40s. You know what, Cathy?
Why don't you go think of something
good to say, then come back and talk
to me, because if that's all you got, it's not that good.
[suspenseful music]
[applause, chatter]
ABBY LEE MILLER: They're about to announce the group awards,
and I'm dreading it.
Cathy's girls are good.
I think this might be the one time that Cathy beats us.
Third place, number 47, "Dock of the Bay."
[cheers, applause]
Second place, number 44, "Bailey's Anola."
[cheers, applause]
And our top team in Small Groups is number 43, "Attitude."
[cheers, applause]
[triumphant music]
KELLY HYLAND: I guess that Abby was
right about the rat and the snood,
because we did win first place.
I guess the judges liked that.
It went with the theme of the dance.
ABBY LEE MILLER: I think it's time for some pork
chops and applesauce.
[laughter]
How do you like them apples, Cathy?
[somber music]
CATHY NESBITT-STEIN: It's beyond words for me.
I am totally, totally irritated with this whole situation.
It's an outrage that she won.
Our dance was far superior.
Did you see how pissed Cathy was?
Ooh, she was.
Um, I would love to see the scores on that one.
I'm sorry, and you know me.
I don't ever rock the boat, but that
was-- that was a no-brainer.
She scored a 287, and yours scored a 275.
Oh, my god.
That is utterly ridiculous.
Abby Lee has barely beaten us in this group number,
but right now, I don't have time to just
sit and brood about that.
I've got to focus on Erica, because Erica
is going up against Brooke in a couple of minutes.
And I think we can still win this.
They were sitting behind us and I heard them saying,
oh, we were sweating bullets.
So you know what?
They were nervous.
Their knees were knocking.
Their butts were shaking.
Brooke, warmed up.
Nothing sloppy.
Don't worry about the Apple.
I am relieved that that group competition is over.
I was really worried that we were gonna lose.
Now, I need to concentrate on Brooke
because those older girls up against her are very talented.
We're on 102, so you got one more and then you're up.
Thank you.
The Candy Apples did a great job.
So at that point, I was getting really nervous.
[cheers, applause]
MOM: Oh, it's beautiful.
ANNOUNCER: Next up, Abby Lee Miller solo, "Garden of Eden."
["garden of eden" playing] Will you come home?
[vocalizing]
CHRISTI LUKASIAK: Good job.
[applause]
[cheers and applause]
KELLY HYLAND: Abby looked at me and was like, she did great.
And for Abby to say that, Brooke had to do pretty good.
Love you, too. Good luck.
ERICA: Thank you.
CATHY NESBITT-STEIN: It's all up to Erica right
now to bring us some justice.
ANNOUNCER: Next stop, Candy Apple solo,
"Through the Looking Glass."
["THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS" PLAYING] If you had a chance
to see more than you could ever see,
if you had a chance to know all that people really show,
peek behind the curtains, take a look inside,
the secrets that the world don't know, what we try
to hide but we can't define.
There are things you can't explain,
some islands in the rain.
[cheers, applause]
[suspenseful music]
ABBY LEE MILLER: I think Brooke gave an amazing performance,
but I'm a little bit worried because that other girl
from Candy Apple was much more mature than Brooke.
You made it look fabulous.
Go hug your mommy.
It was fabulous.
Aw, baby!
CATHY NESBITT-STEIN: Yay!
KELLY HYLAND: She doesn't seem like she
was from Cathy's studio at all.
Exactly.
She's at least 15. - Yeah.
CHRISTI LUKASIAK: There's no way that kid's 11, 12.
I don't think so either.
Hi, there. CATHY NESBITT-STEIN: Hello!
I was just wondering if we could
talk to Cathy and Erica's mom.
CATHY NESBITT-STEIN: Sure.
If you guys could come upstairs with me.
Mm-hmm.
They're questioning Erica's age.
KELLY HYLAND: Who is?
The competition.
Yeah, because I was back there and the girl
walked over and goes, we need birth certificates
for Cathy's student.
LEIGH: Hey, Cathy.
I'm Leigh with Rising Star. - Hi.
I'm-- nice to meet.
We've got a lot of people questioning--
- Yeah? - --Erica?
- Yeah. - Erica's age.
Yeah.
We have people complaining that they
have seen her perform in the 14 age division
at other competitions. - OK.
So I don't have birth certificates.
I didn't have to have birth certificates at the last--
Let me ask you a question.
How old is Erica and her date of birth?
Erica is 14. ERICA'S MOM: Correct.
- January-- - 17.
- Yeah. - Of '97.
So '97-- she's 13, 14 then.
CATHY NESBITT-STEIN: Yeah.
All right, she is in the wrong age division.
And so is Brooke.
OK, I'll take that up in a minute with Abby.
We definitely need to take that up, OK?
LEIGH: I promise you I will.
OK.
LEIGH: Hi, Abby. ABBY LEE MILLER: Hi.
How are you?
Good.
We got somebody questioning Brooke's age.
ABBY LEE MILLER: OK.
She's 13 and she turned--
When is her birthdate?
January.
Of-- what year?
I don't know.
Of '98.
Our ages go as of the first of the year,
so she would have been 12.
Right.
The first of the year she turned 13 in January.
Right.
ABBY LEE MILLER: I can call and get it faxed.
That'll do.
KELLY HYLAND: Some of the people at the competition
thought that Brooke wasn't in the correct age category.
ABBY LEE MILLER: Is one of them Candy Apple?
Cathy Nesbitt?
Yes, she is.
I mean, that girl that she had in there,
there is no way that she's 12.
LEIGH: No, she is not.
She is 13, 14.
We've already moved her out of there.
ABBY LEE MILLER: OK, good, because I was going to say.
I mean, you know how long I've been doing that.
I have never seen a dance instructor
blatantly lie about a kid's age to try to beat me.
Erica is a beautiful dancer.
Had her teacher entered her in the right age division,
she probably would have won the whole thing.
But instead, she was disqualified.
But you know what?
It doesn't matter.
Those people who ruin it are just the ones that are jealous.
Brooke just competed and they're questioning her age.
WOMAN (ON PHONE): OK.
ABBY LEE MILLER: Brooke is 13 years old.
She was born in January of 1998, which
makes her 12 for this particular cutoff date.
They need her birth certificate.
Is there any way you could take a picture with your phone
and send it to the judge?
I have the judge's phone number.
WOMAN (ON PHONE): I have them right here.
Thank you.
ABBY LEE MILLER: I called my competition director.
She faxed over the birth certificate.
Everything was good.
My apple seeds are all lined up in a row.
ANNOUNCER: Gym Acro, age 11, 12, the second place platinum
score, number 103, "Does it Rain?"
[cheers]
First place platinum score, number 104, "Garden of Eden"
from Abby Lee Dance Company.
[cheers, applause]
[music playing] ABBY LEE MILLER: Good job.
Great job.
I'm proud of everybody. You worked hard.
Woo!
BROOKE HYLAND: I ended up getting first overall,
and I was really excited, and I just
hope Abby's proud because I really worked hard for this.
CATHY NESBITT-STEIN: Hi, guys.
ABBY LEE MILLER: Hello.
How are you?
ABBY LEE MILLER: Good.
CATHY NESBITT-STEIN: Just wanted to tell
you that your red was such a nice tribute to Candy Apples.
And--
My colors have been black and red--
Oh, and my colors--
--since 19-- whatever, '80--
Oh, better give me a birth certificate on that.
Mine have been red and white since--
mine have been--
Wait a minute!
That woman went right to nasty.
Rotten to the core.
The moms were telling me that you were really--
Oh, you know what?
--kinda dissing me, [bleep] wondering
why they're still with me.
CATHY NESBITT-STEIN: Just questioning--
Cathy, something tells me that you would love to have us.
Oh, you think way too highly of yourself, especially the way
you dress.
Wait a minute, you know what, Christi?
Take it out the hallway.
All right, listen, Nose.
CHRISTI LUKASIAK: Leave it to Cathy to take
it to a below the belt level.
[arguing]
You've done nothing but complain about her forever.
You need to take your cheap dress and mosey on out.
My dress is not cheap.
It's Ralph Lauren in there, honey.
CATHY NESBITT-STEIN: Oh, I highly doubt it.
Aw.
CHRISTI LUKASIAK: Go back to junior high, Grandma.
Cathy is the geriatric mean girl.
Be gone, witch!
You have no powers here.