- This week, the mini team will be competing.
The name of your group routine is The Spotlight Is on Me.
The spotlight is on them.
It's their first competition with the ALDC.
Are the minis my future?
Can I build a team with these kids?
I want to see who shines and who doesn't.
OK, girls, what's the name of your routine?
The Spotlight's on Me.
Let's go. [music playing]
(SINGING) We're hiding in the corner like a teenage girl.
Down, tummy, head.
Push back.
One, two, three, four.
All the way around.
Woo!
She's working with them a lot today, a lot.
That's good.
Yeah, I'm really glad she's working with them so much.
I am so excited the girls get to get a number together
and show Abby that these little minis
is going to help Abby's brand.
It's a jazz number.
It's kind of funky.
They each get a turn to do a little showcase
piece of themself, and it shows each girl's strengths,
and I think it's going to turn out really well.
If you don't get your arms up after that side,
Ariel, go home.
I think the mini group dance is a hot mess.
Kerri's little girl, Peyton, isn't really picking this up.
She doesn't get off the floor quick enough
and get into the turn quick enough.
It's a small team.
That's the one thing I worry about,
like, especially with the spacing and the formation.
Especially because if Peyton has a hard time keeping up,
which she does--
Right.
--she's 6 and the rest are 9, 10.
Abby won't care about that.
If she's a half a count behind, that's what she'll care about.
They're all equally a mess.
She's not keeping up.
In your opinion.
No, I just call it like it is.
Your kid doesn't know the choreography.
Everyone else is swiping down and touching the floor
and your kid is like, oh shoot, that's there?
I mean, sorry.
So where's Abby?
Is she going to come today?
Is she going to show up?
She's not coming.
I guess we don't understand.
Abby has been doing this for years.
And the thing is, we have no control over Abby Lee Miller
resigning, coming to work.
We've tried to be empathetic, supportive.
You name it, we've tried it.
It doesn't work with her because she just goes rogue.
Hey little one, come here.
Everybody go to a big girl.
I am so impressed with our girls right now.
Abby has quit on this team, but our girls
will not let the ALDC fail. - Do you feel ready?
Do you feel prepared?
They are taking the minis under their wings
to make sure that they feel confident and ready to perform.
These girls are absolutely committed to each other
and to the team.
I wish I could say the same for Abby.
One, two, three.
We are the minis.
I know my daughter, and she's practiced her butt off,
and she knows this routine.
I cannot wait for the moms to see that Peyton is right
on the music because, like, you know what,
when it's time to perform, my daughter will perform.
- Are you excited? - Yeah.
Just go out there and watch Ari for your counts, OK?
And remember, don't look down, OK?
Look at the judges because you have a really pretty face.
Peyton is like my mini me because she
was my age when I was little when
I started the competition team.
You know, it's a lot of stress on a six-year-old
when they have to compete every single week
and learn in three days, but she'll get used to it.
Good luck. You're going to be so good.
Please welcome to the stage entry number 31A,
The Spotlight Is on Me.
[applause]
[music playing]
(SINGING) The whole world's waiting for you.
Let tonight be the night.
Not every [inaudible] can share your light.
Be the star that you are.
May your energy shine through.
Shimmer on like the spotlight.
(SINGING) It's like no one's watching movies [inaudible]
once all night.
Look at everything your momma said about polite.
No more [inaudible] anymore.
Here is your permission to tear up the dance floor.
Be the spot-- spotlight.
[applause]
The minis came out and they did great.
I'm impressed that Peyton was actually able to keep up.
It's just too bad that Abby missed their first performance.
[interposing voices]