And one, two, three, four.
This week, the group routine is a Native American inspired
number called Tribal Council.
Think of going to Vegas and seeing a show,
and they have a whole production number that's Native American.
I went to see the Cher concert, and when Cher comes out
in that iconic costume, I was like, I could do that number,
and Nia would look gorgeous in that headpiece.
Nia, I want you to be more of a presence.
She isn't going to be bent over and kind of hiding.
It's more like a Vegas, big, spectacular--
you're like Cher.
You know, I think Nia's so excited about having
a lead in the group dance.
It's finally an opportunity to be seen, showcased.
I'm thrilled that Nia has the lead.
Abby usually gives the lead to Maddy,
but Abby's looking at Nia for nationals.
So she has to look fabulous.
Nia, the head's stage right, on that attitude.
What is your face doing?
Nothing!
Use your face!
This is a shot at you being a star,
and you're not giving me anything.
How many times have you been in here
and sat and watched Maddie?
She just makes it happen.
End of the night, you have one more day to fix this number,
and it's a hot mess right now.
Can Nia handle the character?
It's getting close to nationals.
If she doesn't step it up, she might not even be going.
You're done. Finished.
Go.
It doesn't look like a circle.
I want to see Cher!
Come on!
Perform, Nia!
Perform!
It doesn't look like [inaudible]..
There is not one thing that she has that you don't.
Do it, Maddie.
If you use your face, like Maddie, people
would be forgiving of a shoulder, or a foot,
or being late, or being early.
I just don't know what to do to fix the problems, Nia,
but I have about had it.
We're on our way to nationals.
We only have a few more weeks.
Do I really need her on the team, or not?
Well, I just want to tell you, I think Nia is the most
perfect person to do this role.
And I thank you very much, but what's wrong
is that Abby's promoting your kid by putting my kid down.
She gave Maddie tremendous props for doing
that same Maddie face she does in all of her lyrical dances.
The other moms pounce on me when Abby
compares the girls to Maddie.
I'm not doing that.
I would never do that.
That's Abby's fault, not mine.
It looks-- it's nothing like-- there was no Native American
that looked like Maddie's face.
Right there, look.
There wasn't.
Absolutely not. - OK.
Absolutely not.
I am busting my butt with your kid
trying to pull something out of her, and she gives me nothing.
I've seen intense faces throughout the dance,
off and on. - At the beginning.
We're talking about the first 16 --
So when she's doing it, be like, Nia, keep that face.
I'm like, you're not giving me face,
you're not giving me face.
OK, well you always think that.
You can say that, Abby.
Oh, no, no.
It's not I'm not saying it.
I want the audience to erupt in chaos.
She doesn't have that kind of face.
She doesn't. - All right.
Whatever. - All right.
Whatever.
Good job!
[inaudible]
Congratulations.
[cheering]
So, Abby, did she do well?
This was her test for nationals.
I think she did well.
I think it takes her too long to get from the eggs and the flour
and the sugar, to get to be the cookies
that come out of the oven.
When you have that cookie, it's a cookie you want to eat.
I so badly just want to go to nationals.
I really needed to prove to everybody that I can do it.