MAN: Hey, there is someone here to see Abby.
[dramatic music]
ABBY LEE (VOICEOVER): These women
aren't like they were in the '50s, or the '60s, or even
the '70s, when they dropped their children off at the dance
studio, and they trusted you.
(TEARFULLY) I can't have this around kids.
Trusted you to do right by them.
Today, they question me.
They contradict me.
MELISSA: What's going on?
What happened?
I just had an officer of the court walk through my studio
and serve me with papers in my business.
MELISSA: That's ridiculous.
Kelly just wants to get back at Abby any way she can,
so she's suing her.
And I am worried because we're a fractured team.
And this is making it worse.
They want you to feel humiliated.
This is your studio. This is your property.
This is your business. - I understand that.
And I want to make a statement.
HOLLY: I don't know about that.
It's in your best interest to say nothing.
History has proven that Abby is pretty good at digging
her own grave because if Abby's upset,
that means that Abby is always on the defense.
And she's angry.
She's bitter.
And it's inevitable that Abby is going to say
something to tick somebody off.
I'm scared.
Look, we're here.
We're supporting you. We're part of the team.
No, I-- I understand that.
Let's get in and have them learn their dances.
We have a competition this weekend.
Otherwise, we let them win.
JILL: What can we do with our children to help--
No, just get them in class.
JILL: --help the situation?
HOLLY: OK, let's go to class, girls.
MELISSA: Come on, girls.
HOLLY: That's what we need to do.
ABBY LEE: The group routine is entitled
Stomp the Yard, inspired by a hot television show right now--
Orange is the New Black.
You will be prisoners.
Acting in this dance routine is going to prepare you
for auditions in Los Angeles.
Three weeks until LA.
Three weeks, you are going to be studying, training, living,
and hopefully working in LA.
So moms, we're going to do headshots tomorrow.
[mild cheering]
You are selling your image.
We need to make it fierce.
We need to make it rough.
You are hardened criminals.
Chug step, let me see that.
[drum music]
Can you try to travel forward a little bit?
Go.
That looks great.
KIRA: What happened before we came here?
JILL: Abby was served--
She was served?
--with a lawsuit today in her place of business in front
of all kinds of people.
HOLLY: The people who have been here week after week, month
after month, we're vulnerable.
We're all in a very vulnerable situation.
we're totally exposed.
And I really resent the fact that you get to go and come
as you please, and it's OK.
And you still get--
you reap the benefits of that.
And that's not right.
KIRA: Well, what-- but what do you want me-- do you want me
to go down there and say, oh, this isn't correct,
you need to punish me?
JILL: Everything's fun and games for you guys.
And it must be nice.
You are disrespecting the team.
And so no.
That's-- exactly.
It's a very cowardly way to act.
You know what?
In some ways, I really do wish that Christie was still here
because at least if Christie was here,
she would own all of her actions.
I own my actions.
HOLLY: No, you don't because you're a coward.
And all you say is, well, don't talk to me about it.
Talk to Abby.
But it's your behavior.
KIRA: I'm not the one that made the decision.
HOLLY: Oh, but you're the one who acts--
or perhaps, doesn't act-- because you're not even showing
up when you're supposed to be.
You can't even do your job.
Hello.
How are you?
I brought a lot of stuff.
This is Becky and her assistant, Nancy.
Hi.
They're going to be working with you today.
Today, our job is to get the best photos possible
that are going to put you out there and say,
we want this kid.
So I put a timer for 15 minutes with each girl.
OK.
ABBY LEE: Do a couple of different faces.
Really look like you want to kill somebody.
[timer buzzes]
Oop, that's your time.
Give me something.
We have nothing here.
Yeah, let's change this.
Let's change the jackets.
[camera shutter clicks]
You look a little fake.
KIRA: Whatever happened to the 15 minutes, Abby?
We're trying to hurry up.
And we have nothing here.
OK.
Let's move on.
Maddie would be the leading lady, be the Jodie Foster.
BECKY: I don't know how I'm going to get through everyone.
ABBY LEE: OK.
Thank you, Maddie. We're good.
You're finished.
OK, Kalani is next.
[upbeat music]
I gotcha.
Ready?
JILL (VOICEOVER): I can't believe what I am hearing.
Abby just said that Kalani, Mackenzie,
and Maddie are the only ones that
are going to book jobs in LA.
And I would say something right now,
but I don't want to jeopardize Kendall's headshots.
NANCY: Next.
ABBY LEE: OK.
We need definition, though.
We can't even see her lips.
And her undereyes are too dark, too.
Three frickin' times, and she still doesn't have lipstick on.
OK. I'm finished.
You're on your own, babe. Good luck.
[laughs]
Oh, come on, Abby.
But it's Nia's turn.
Every child got a critique from Abby, except for Nia.
Do something sassy and just be you.
It's been a roller coaster of emotions this week.
And Abby needs to find a target to focus her anger.
Abby is showing her true colors, and I don't like what I see.
[tense music]
Hey, Abby, listen.
I don't want-- I don't want--
- You shouldn't be in here. - I'm--
Don't-- I don't care what you want.
It's not about what you want.
I don't know who you are, but you shouldn't
be in this dressing room.
I brought her in here with me. ABBY LEE: I know.
But why are you in here? You run this school suddenly?
I came in here-- ABBY LEE: You didn't ask.
You didn't say-- - It doesn't matter
ABBY LEE: --excuse me, Abby, could I speak to you.
- Here's the thing. - You just, I want!
I want! I want!
- I came in here-- - I want you out of here!
--to be a good sport!
So I'm in here being a good sport.
Go, go, go. Go.
I am going to leave because I did the right thing
by coming in here.
ABBY LEE: You're not a good sport.
And you're a nervous wreck when you speak.
And it's obvious. - I'm a nervous wreck?
- Go. - Good luck.
If you knew anything about show business, you would know--
- You going to follow me? - --not to say, good luck.
I can say, good luck, break a leg.
It doesn't matter. KIRA: Keep walking.
ABBY LEE: Yes, it does matter.
You get asked out, I get asked back.
Go, stalker.
ABBY LEE: And your jacket should be longer than your shirt.
HOLLY (VOICEOVER): I think people
are going to continue to try really
hard to bring down the ALDC.
But I think our girls are strong.
I think they're survivors, and they're fighters.
And they're going to fight on the dance floor.
COMPETITION ANNOUNCER: We are starting with entry number 70.
Please welcome to the stage, Stomp the Yard.
[applause]
[MUSIC - BECKAH SHAE, "HEARTBEAT"]
MUSIC: (SINGING) And his blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language, people, every nation.
Where warriors have fallen, there's a resurrection coming.
It's your time to rise and shine.
Wake up, you sleeping giant.
The wounds of injustice are being
healed by the peace of Yahweh, who's bringing
us power through unity.
Where warriors have fallen, there's a resurrection coming.
Dry bones, dry bones, come alive.
Yeah, wake up, you sleeping giant.
Your heartbeat, I feel it.
I feel it.
Your heartbeat, I feel it.
I feel it.
Yeah.
Yeshua, bring us together.
Bring us together.
Together, we cry, Yeshua, bring us together.
Bring us together.
Together, we cry out, out for your heartbeat, your heartbeat,
oh.
Give us your heartbeat.
[cheering]
I thought the group dance was excellent.
If we lose to Jeanette and Ava, watch out.
COMPETITION ANNOUNCER: OK, we're going to go
ahead and get started here.
First, to our Energy Junior Small Group--
We have a lot to prove.
People are trying to knock us down.
And we have to show that our girls are winners.
And we're not going to let it happen.
In second place--
[tense music]
--entry number 69, the Challenge.
[cheering]
And our top-scoring Energy Junior Small Group is entry
number 70, Stomp the Yard.
[cheering]
Congratulations.
HOLLY: You're creating excuses to protect
Maddie's and Kalani's reputations because those kids
matter, because those are the ones who are going
to work and book jobs anyway.
That's bull.
I didn't say it. You did.
ABBY LEE: That's bull. - You said it.
ABBY LEE: I did not say that.
You need to be a grown woman and own your words.
ABBY LEE: I-- I own my words. That's--
Abby. ABBY LEE: --ridiculous.
HOLLY: It is ridiculous. - How many times--
HOLLY: It is ridiculous--
ABBY LEE: How many times--
--that you would want us to be loyal to you--
That's wrong.
HOLLY: --follow you to LA, and you would
say that about our children.
OK.
Well, then, Nia can stay home.
She doesn't need to go to LA.
You're not getting rid of me.
And you're not getting rid of Nia.
We have been here, unlike some people.
ABBY LEE: But I kept Nia on the team.
And then, who-- wait, excuse me.
But who gets your benefit and your interest?
Someone who just walks in-- ABBY LEE: No, that's not true.
--after being gone for several months?
I have backed Nia up with those pathetic feet for years!
Holly and Jill, they think that their kids are it.
And they're not.
If the moms can see what I see, then they'll understand
what I'm talking about.
Right?
You are a disgrace.
Stop it. - (LAUGHING SOFTLY) Ooh.
HOLLY: Stop it.
ABBY LEE: You're an ass.
Abby, stop it!
Stop it!
ABBY LEE: Ridiculous.
I am not your enemy!
You know what?
You've got everyone else off the team.
ABBY LEE: Holly?
Knocked everyone else off the team.
You're after me now?
You're after me?
Holly.
Who else are you going to have on a team, Melissa?
ABBY LEE: I'm not after anyone.
You are!
Holly, I don't know why you're acting like this.
Because Abby, I'm telling you--
ABBY LEE: I told you 10 years ago--
I'm telling you, what you're doing is wrong.
ABBY LEE: --eight years ago that Nia had a great face,
that Nia should be doing this, that Nia--
I'm the one that told you that.
No other dance teacher told you that, when she was little.
I told you that.
And what I'm hearing now is not the same person
who's doing that.
You're not advocating for the same way you used to.
ABBY LEE: You do what you want to hear.
I thought, get Nia high pictures.
Period.
HOLLY (VOICEOVER): I think the woman has lost her mind.
Wake up.
You need to change your ways.
You better do it fast because pretty soon,
you're not going to have anyone left.
Who's going to stand around and put up with this garbage?
We're standing by you, but how much can you put up with.