- I've been telling you for months now that I'm
going to form a new team.
But after seeing all the talent from Orlando, Atlanta,
and New York City, I came up with a team
that's just like all of you.
I think it's time to bring the new team in.
Welcome to the Abby Lee Dance Company.
Maddie is going to join you guys.
I want her to show you guys how it's done.
MADDIE: I don't really want to compete against my own team
when I'm completely on a different one.
They're my best friends, and it's weird.
ABBY LEE: We are traveling to Youngstown, Ohio.
We will be competing at Energy Dance.
You are doing a routine-- royals.
Yay! [cheering]
ABBY LEE: My new select ensemble will
be performing a contemporary routine,
entitled "The Good Life."
This is the moment of reckoning.
I want a clean sweep.
MOM 1: What disturbs me more than anything is that she
pulled Maddie from her team.
MOM 2: It was like the rug was pulled
up from under those girls.
MELISSA: I signed up for my kids to be on this team.
ABBY LEE: Casting an entire new team is a difficult task.
I need to see how they work with the group.
Hey, maybe on stage in the competition, they choke.
Maddie, isn't it nice to look in the mirror
and see everybody's foot doing the same thing?
MELISSA: It's hard for our kids to see other kids come in
and possibly take their place.
I think it's time for some new faces.
MOM 2: [inaudible] two, three times?
We're not going to rehearse again until competition?
When those other kids have been working--
BOTH: --all day.
MOM 2: I already feel defeated, and we haven't
gone to a competition yet. ABBY LEE: Here we go.
This is it.
I want to sweep this entire competition,
so both of my teams better bring their A-game.
MOM 3: Melissa, we were going to pray over the group,
and we were wondering if you want to come in and join us.
MELISSA: That's OK. ABBY LEE: Melissa?
MELISSA: Yes, honey? - You're not allowed in there.
I said so.
MOM 3: Why were you protecting her?
Why?
ABBY LEE: To run their dance because their person is--
MOM 3: She loves me.
ABBY LEE: --taking up their time.
MOM 3: Just keep lying.
In fact, I think-- MOM 3: Uh-huh.
Just keep lying.
Did you call me a liar?
Ah, ha.
If the shoe fits, wear it.
Sarah, your mother is pulling you out of the routine.
Let's go. MOM 3: No.
Don't cry.
Your mother did this, not me. MOM 3: Uh-uh.
ABBY LEE: All right. Select ensemble, let's go.
We need to re-space without Sarah.
The dance is important so we can show Ms. Abby that we
truly can stay on her team.
And we deserve to be here.
ANNOUNCER: Welcome to the stage entry number
252, The Good Life.
[MUSIC - JOSIE AIELLO, "LET THE GOOD LIFE"]
SONG: Oh.
Let the good life, let the good life take me through that door.
[cheering]
This is our time.
This is our time to be either us or them.
ANNOUNCER: Welcome to the stage entry number 253, The Royals.
[cheering]
[MUSIC - KAREN CHALLY, "ROYAL BLUE"]
SONG: Welcome to the world we live in,
every night a different ball with different rules.
We're royal blue.
Royal blue.
[cheering, applause]
Yeah, girls!
MOM 2: The girls look great.
I don't they could have performed
that dance any better. ANNOUNCER: All right.
We're going to move on for Energy Junior Small group.
In second place, we have entry number--
253, The Royals.
[scattered applause]
And in first place, we have entry
number 252, "The Good Life."
[cheering, applause]
ABBY LEE: I've looked high and low for the best of the best,
and it's obvious I know what I'm doing.
Congratulations.
You guys won the group.
Outstanding.
[applause]
These guys, you did great job.
It was a great day.
I have to get to Miami to my mom's funeral service.
I'm saying goodbye to my mom.
(SOBBING) This is her legacy that she left to me.
Am I doing right by these kids?
Am I making them the best that they can possibly be?
Am I giving them the tools to go out into the world
and make it on their own?
My mom and dad did that for me, and I hope that I
can help change a child's life.
This is not the end of these teams.
This is just the beginning.