- Welcome, everybody!
Maddie is not here.
She is in New York City.
I wasn't there last week.
I don't really care what happens.
You had a group routine.
I thought it was sloppy.
I thought it was a hot mess.
This week, we're going to Devotion
to Dance in Agoura Hills.
We have two group routines.
You guys, you are doing a beautiful lyrical routine.
[cheering]
Now, this is what we've been doing for years and years,
our beautiful lyrical.
It's what these kids do best.
I couldn't be any happier.
I know, but Brynn is.
Brynn is taking the lead.
The name of the piece is "Better Off Now."
So Brynn, if the group doesn't win, it's your fault.
Uh, trust me. Ask her mom.
It's never Brynn's fault, ever.
I never said that.
- It'll never be her fault. - I never said that.
You didn't have to say it. We know it.
Oh, gosh.
Maddie's coming back next week.
So I'm really nervous that I have the lead role.
And if we don't win, Abby may send me home.
Brynn, the last time you were here at the Abby
Lee Dance Company, you left.
Your mother chose to leave.
I had all of these plans for you, and you left.
So this is kind of like your anthem.
Miss Abby said that I was born to be a dancer, that I have
what it takes, and I'm going to do it.
Understand?
All right, are we ready to start this?
The junior elite group routine is entitled "Better Off Now."
I think Brynn is better off now.
Mom, we were here at the ALDC before.
You chose to leave.
This is our second chance.
Now, she's supposed to be Maddie.
Right?
Kinda, sorta.
7 and 8.
Get-- like, make it matter.
Don't take your arms so far away from you.
But what will happen when Maddie comes back next week?
This is a chance for Brynn to show me if she
should stick around or not.
Ready, girls?
[music playing]
So has Abby asked you to stay next week, since Maddie
is going to be here?
I think that how the dance plays out
this weekend is important.
If we win, it doesn't mean because Brynn was in it.
It's a win for all the girls. - Whoa, no, no.
That's not what I'm saying.
What I'm saying is, if we don't win, it'll be Brynn's fault.
Not in our eyes.
OK, you guys, remember you say that.
I would never do what you did and blame
a child for not winning.
The moms won't blame Brynn for a loss, but Abby sure will.
Maddie's back next week, and Brynn's future
depends on this dance.
Brynn has a lead.
And in order for Brynn to make sure this dance
makes her a star, she needs to go and be better than Maddie.
She's got to have better technique,
and she's got to have better acting.
I haven't been here in two weeks.
I'm here now.
And it's a pretty dance, pretty girls, straight legs,
stretched, gorgeous feet.
And you dance together as a team,
although we have a new member or not.
ANNOUNCER: Coming up next, we have entry number 15,
teen group lyrical, "Better Off Now."
[applause]
[MUSIC - SUZI ORAVEC, "BETTER WITHOUT YOU"]
(SINGING) And I--
I'm not gonna break down.
I'm not gonna fall down. 'Cause I'm better without you.
So I'm moving on.
[applause]
I think Brynn is a fine dancer.
I think she knows her technique.
But I miss Maddie.
Maddie is a huge addition to our team.
And when she's not there, there's a huge hole, no matter
who steps in to fill it.
ANNOUNCER: All right, we have award time.
Teen group.
This was a big week for Brynn.
She was stepping in to fill Maddie's shoes.
She has to prove that she's a winner
and that she should stick around again
next week when Maddie is back.
ANNOUNCER: And in first place, we have
"Better Off Now," first place. Congrats.
[cheering]
Our group dance was amazing.
The girls were beautiful.
Can they do more?
Absolutely.
Did we come out on top? We did.
Is Brynn coming back?
I'd be more concerned if I'm coming back.
Well, are you coming back next week?
I can't promise where I'll be next week.
Who knows what opportunities lie ahead for me?
But I do know that Brynn did an outstanding job.
And I'm going to keep her around.