So where is your BFF Cathy today?
Cathy wasn't on the bus because it
was like a six hour ride.
So she just drove to New Jersey.
I don't think she was too into the bus.
No, I don't think she liked the bus either.
I am bus sick already.
You're kidding me.
No.
So, honey, are you excited about where we're going?
Yeah.
OK, so when we get there, I want you to be all smiles, OK?
OK.
OK, how about pointed toes and straight knees?
Yeah.
Yeah, OK.
Is your nose stuffy, honey?
- A little bit. - A little bit?
OK, you sound a little nasally.
Let's try to get and put a smile on your face.
Another thing I want to talk to you about, honey--
I know that we've traveled a long way,
and it's going to be disappointing if we
don't win the competition.
So we have to be prepared for that.
We could have-- - OK.
--a letdown, OK?
OK.
A little bit lighter.
OK!
OK.
Can you emphasize the K?
OK! - OK.
OK.
Starbound talent competition in Voorhees, New Jersey,
is right outside of New York City.
I'm sure we're going to come up against some amazing studios
there.
I think the judges are going to be looking for technique,
definitely innovative ideas, high end costumes,
and of course their performance.
We only have two numbers competing this weekend--
the acro group, and I have Vivian
doing her bumblebee solo.
So it's an easy weekend for me.
Never Let's [inaudible] the big ones.
OK, [inaudible].
They have broken pages.
Sorry.
[inaudible]
Hi, guys. Hi, ladies.
Hi, [inaudible]. - Hi.
Hi, [inaudible].
Hi.
I'm going to be backstage with you guys.
I just want to go over a few things
because we have some [inaudible]..
The title's missing.
I have my poems first, and that's Vivian, right?
No, it's not [inaudible].
It's called "Bumblebee."
"Bumblebee?"
But what's?
Yes, you want to come with me?
What is this?
That's what I'm confused about.
We need to-- OK.
- Cathy. - Yes.
What is with this little rocket music?
Vivi was uncomfortable with the solo
that we worked on because she had
such a lack of rehearsal time.
And so we are going to go ahead and do
a piece that she already knows.
What?
[inaudible]
Our whole team is there to root for Vivian
so that she feels like part of the company.
Cathy informs me that she's going to do another routine.
I'm like, what?
I'll just change this to independent entry.
You're doing what?
You're changing it to independent?
Yes.
She's not going to be going underneath your name?
I didn't do this number.
But she's-- but she's going to be representing you.
Not with a number I didn't do in a costume I didn't design.
OK can I see you outside, please?
We kind of went against the philosophy of Abbey.
So consequently, we had the wrath of Abbey upon us.
Please, we need to change this independent thing
because it's important to us.
I've never seen her even do the number.
I know.
You're going to have to trust me.
Abbey, listen to me.
I'm not one of these dance moms.
Yeah, I'm Vivi's mom, and we're involved in dance.
But I'm not that hysterical dance mom.
I know what is correct to take to stage.
You and I are over here.
And if I have to make an executive decision,
then you have to trust me just as I will trust you.
Cathy, I came through.
I got the costume finished.
The dance was finished.
Any other kid whether, their mother is a dance teacher
or their mother's a swimming coach, would have
had that dance nailed down.
She could not do a dance that Abby Lee Miller has never seen
and pretend she came from Abby Lee Miller.
I have to put into perspective what
my child's mental capacity is-- that if she gets
up on stage and she cracks--
I don't want it to be detrimental for any child,
but I'm just saying.
You don't have the faith in your kid that I did.
If you would have just ran it maybe 10 times a day
for three days--
--tried with the bribery.
We tried with getting her to get an iPad.
[inaudible] you're the mommy. Just say--
I know that.
I realize that.
I want to see her dance first.
OK, so you--
Give me that respect.
When she goes out for awards, I want
her in something red and black. - OK, I can--
- Or a costume. - OK, then she'll--
Moms that go against me don't last very long.
They are hurting their children.
In changing Vivi's solo, I knew the response
I was going to get from Abby.
Face, face.
Her and I are going to have to work together.
Hear it.
Up and step.
Look.
She likes to say that I'm her colleague.
3, 4, guns!
I may have to have special favors that's
different than the other moms.
[laughter]
That woman is crazy.
Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake.
Back.
Keep going.
Her eyelashes are up here.
Let me see your eyelashes.
She has bobby pins, and they're
silver and gold and brown and black, all in the kid's head.
She's a hot mess.
And my name and my reputation are on the line.
You know what, honey?
If you forget what you're doing, just shake your butt.
[inaudible]
You ready?
OK.
Ready?
Number 431 featuring Vivian Stein--
"This Little Girl's Now."
[screaming]
[inaudible] forward.
Shake it out.
[music playing]
And walk, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, foot out, 5, 6, [inaudible]..
I can't--
When I'm judging, I look at the level of difficulty.
Scoot back!
I think that Vivian is capable of doing
more difficult choreography than she was given.
[screaming]
Oh! You make one boo boo.
It's OK.
I am going to pry her away from her mother.
I am going to cut those apron strings,
and I am going to make that child a better dancer.
At this time, I would like to have
to the following young ladies please step forward.
Number 431, Vivian.
Good job. congratulations.
And who taught you this number?
Cathy [inaudible].
And the name of your dance studio.
[inaudible]
Vivian said her mother's studio.
I don't know if that was on purpose
or if her mother didn't rehearse her on Abbey Lee Dance Company.
My entire group of people that we had sitting
there watching her flipped.
I apologize.
Not all competitions ask those questions,
and I just didn't even think about it.
So I apologize.
All I have in this world is my name.
Whether it be-- - And it won't--
--in a local competition or--
It will not happen again.
--in a Broadway audition, it is my name.
I know, Abby, and it won't happen again.
Because that was embarrassing.
You need to move on.
We're going to move on.
We can move-- we [inaudible].
From the wrong--
Look, she can move on.
Moving on.
We're moving on up.
But--
- Abby, Abby, I know. - This is my name.
I know how you are.
Abby and I have kind of been at each other
all morning all because of this whole choreography thing.
We are actually going to be leaving early today.
All right, guys. We will see you later.
Are you leaving?
Yes.
[inaudible]. Ah.
[inaudible]
You're leaving?
Yeah, we're leaving.
We have a long drive home, much longer than you guys.
[inaudible]
But we all came early to watch her.
I know, I know.
So we want to wish you guys, good luck.
I know you'll do a great job.
OK.
Good job, Vivi.
Thank you.
Glad we woke up at 6 o'clock to--
- 6:00? - --support her.
5:00!
I'm offended.
Like, I really am offended.
Well, we're [inaudible].
Those parents are not happy.
They didn't have to be here for another two hours.
They could have had a nice breakfast.
They could have taken their time.
But no.
They all jumped out of bed and ran
over here to here-- to support her, and she took off.
Oh my God.