Hard work DOES pay off
We can all agree that the Abby Lee Miller Dance Company is full of hardworking dancers—and it pays off! From a young age, the cast spent hours upon hours rehearsing and performing. From reward tactics like Abby’s infamous “pyramid” or competition awards, we got to see the dancers’ determination translate into success.
To walk down memory lane, rewatch “The Competition Begins” (Season 1, Episode 1) to get a refresher on just how hard the young dancers worked during those early days.
Quintessential Episode: The Competition Begins (Season 1, Episode 1)
Thick skin for the win
The cast of Lifetime’s Dance Moms are no strangers to tough love and criticism. Over eight seasons, the girls learned that thick skin will help you persevere in the face of adversity and external pressure. Watching the show, viewers can learn that although criticism isn’t always easy to hear, sometimes it can help us push forward and progress.
It’s hard to hear criticism in general but hearing it from your peers can be even more difficult. In “Nia’s Last Chance” (Season 5, Episode 11), the girls are tasked with listing out the areas in which JoJo can improve. JoJo handled this with grace and kept her head high, demonstrating how having “thick skin” is necessary at the ALDC studio.
Quintessential Episode: Nia’s Last Chance (Season 5, Episode 11)
United we stand, divided we fall
It is no secret that, in Dance Moms, Abby and the moms often compared Maddie and Chloe, and some viewers saw it as a rivalry. However, throughout the series, we saw both Maddie and Chloe supporting and rooting for each other. The girls led by example, teaching us that there is room for everyone to be a winner, and it’s better to lift each other up than tear each other down.
From training together to cheering each other on at competitions, in “It All Ends Here” (Season 1, Episode 11), we see Maddie and Chloe walk out and compete hand-in-hand. Even though they’re competing for Nationals, they still stand united.
Quintessential Episode: It All Ends Here (Season 1, Episode 11)
If you ain't dying, you ain't trying
Dance Moms taught us that if you don’t put your all into it, someone else definitely will. Each dancer in the series shows up with a good attitude, a great work ethic and is always ready to take someone else’s spot if need be. Abby didn’t mess around when it came to training and rehearsals. Over the course of Dance Moms, it’s made clear that everyone is replaceable. To earn your spot, you have to show up and show out!
To freshen your memory, watch “Everyone’s Replaceable” (Season 2, Episode 1) where Abby holds a casting call to add a new dancer to the team. It doesn’t take long for her to remind the girls that the new dancer could take away their spot, so they better work hard.
Quintessential Episode: Everyone's Replaceable (Season 2, Episode 1)
Shake it off!
Our last life lesson from Dance Moms might be the most important: Just shake it off. In the show, the dancers face criticism, losses, forgotten choreography, rivalries, screaming moms and an angry Abby. But they continue to show up and dance. Watching the resilience of the dancers taught us to keep moving forward no matter what might come our way. We’re not always in control of what happens, but we can control how we react to it.
Even though the girls didn’t win their most recent competition, in “Camouflaged Maneuvers” (Season 3, Episode 11), they shake off Abby’s criticisms and get back to work. Watch how they keep moving, no matter what comes their way!
Quintessential Episode: Camouflaged Maneuvers (Season 3, Episode 11)