History Series / DanceMoms

* CharactersDroppingLikeFlies: Between the end of season 4 and through season 5, [[spoiler:we have lost ''every single member of the original team'' except for [[LastOfHerKind Nia]].]]

* DarkestHour: Season 5 is really shaping up to be this, considering in the previous season [[spoiler:two families of the junior elite team left, and Abby's getting extremely burned out and broken trying to keep the team balanced while dealing with the moms as well as the legal matter from her scuffle with Kelly, and has started taking this built-up anger out on the girls more.]] Hell, the promos even had "Abby's empire is falling" as a slogan.

** [[spoiler:The [[DownerEnding ultimate fate]] of the girl in "Disappear".]]

* DyingMomentOfAwesome: [[spoiler:More of an Expelling Moment of Awesome; Kelly attacking Abby before she and her kids got expelled from the team.]]
** An example played straight; [[spoiler:at the time of Mrs. Miller's death, Abby said that she had "defied all medical textbooks".]]

** In the earliest episodes, the Pyramid was presented with the pictures pasted on a chalkboard instead of the mirror wall, and was in the middle of the room. The girls were also seated on the floor instead of standing. **Pyramid also wasn't as suspenseful or important in the first season. Starting in the second season it became a crucial part in the show.

The show's popularity helped its starring girls achieve success in mainstream areas such as clothing, music, and acting, and also inspired a number of spin-off series:

* ''Dance Moms Miami'' (2012) - A series [[RecycledInSpace taking place in]] UsefulNotes/{{Miami}}, centering around a new dance studio led by two male instructors but generally following the same formula of the original series. [[ShortRunner Was cancelled after one season.]]
* ''Series/AbbysUltimateDanceCompetition'' (2012-13) - A dance competition series where 12 girls and boys compete for $100,000 and a scholarship to Joffrey Ballet Academy. Ran for two seasons.
* ''Abby's Studio Rescue'' (2014) - A ''Series/KitchenNightmares''[=/=]''Series/ExtremeMakeoverHomeEdition''-esque series where Abby helps struggling dance studios across the country. [[ShortRunner Was cancelled after one season.]]

* ''Dance Mums with Jennifer Ellison'' (2014-15) - A [[TransAtlanticEquivalent British version]] of the show that aired for two seasons from 2014 to 2015 on Lifetime UK, with Abby making an appearance in the series premiere. Ran for two seasons.

* AbortedArc: In "It All Ends Here", Maddie and Mackenzie's dad threatened he'd do whatever he could to get them out of the studio. It was never mentioned again after that episode.

''Dance Moms'' is a RealityTelevision series on Creator/{{Lifetime}} that premiered in 2011 and ran for eight seasons. The entire series is available to watch without an account on [[https://www.mylifetime.com/shows/dance-moms Lifetime's official website]]. Highlights, compilations and full episodes are also available on the show's [[https://www.youtube.com/c/dancemoms/videos YouTube channel]].

While watching the girls [[ComingOfAgeStory grow up and improve]] is definitely a long-term aspect of the show's appeal, the lion's share of its success is attributed to the drama and conflict among the show's subjects (sometimes created through [[ManipulativeEditing less-than-ethical means on behalf of the producers]]), such that it's ''incredibly'' rare [[OnceAnEpisode for an episode to go by]] without at least one shouting fight (or, occasionally, even a physical one). This drama comes from the combined factors of Miller's extremely strict and controversial teaching techniques, rivalries between mothers, ongoing tension with rival dance teams (namely Cathy Nesbitt-Stein and her Ohio-based Candy Apples Dance Center, who are practically presented as the show's antagonists), and personal problems. One early tagline for the show stated of Miller that "she makes stars, not friends" -- and boy, was that ever true.

As the show progressed, Miller moved her operations to Los Angeles, and more emphasis was put on the girls' burgeoning music and acting careers following the show's success -- but it became quite evident that [[RealLifeWritesThePlot real-life issues were present as well]]. Miller's behavior and treatment of the girls, already concerning to some at first, [[{{Flanderization}} grew increasingly critical and intense]] such that official company departures from original team members on less than amicable terms became common, with some of the girls developing serious emotional problems. Later seasons were also affected by Miller becoming prone to breakdowns and working through legal troubles[[note]]In January 2014, dance mom Kelly Hyland was arrested on charges of assaulting Miller; her child Paige would file a separate ultimately-dismissed lawsuit towards Miller in October. In 2010, she filed for bankruptcy and owed more than $400,000 in taxes. In 2014, numerous lawsuits were thrown her way from former team members. In 2015, she was indicted for fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets, and false bankruptcy declarations for making a secret bank account to hide income. She was eventually sentenced on May 9, 2017 to a year and one day in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release.[[/note]] which grew so immense that she reportedly abandoned the moms and the elite dancers for three weeks before resigning from the show on March 26, 2017.

The show's popularity has helped its starring girls achieve success in mainstream areas such as clothing, music, and acting, and has also inspired a number of spin-off series:

* ''Dance Moms Miami'' - A [[ShortRunner short-lived]] series [[RecycledInSpace taking place in]] UsefulNotes/{{Miami}}.
* ''Series/AbbysUltimateDanceCompetition'' - A dance competition spin-off that ran for two seasons.
* ''Abby's Studio Rescue'' - A ''Series/KitchenNightmares''-cum-''Series/ExtremeMakeoverHomeEdition''-esque spin-off where Abby helps struggling dance studios across the country.
* ''Dance Mums with Jennifer Ellison'' - A [[TransAtlanticEquivalent British version]] of the show that aired for two seasons from 2014 to 2015 on Lifetime UK, featuring Abby herself in the series premiere.
* ''Raising Asia'' - A series based solely on a single [[spoiler:former]] member of the ALDC named Asia Monet Ray.
* ''The [=JoJo=] and [=BowBow=] Show'' - A WebAnimation series based on the life of cast member ''[=JoJo=] Siwa'' created by Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}.

* DoesNotLikeShoes: The girls usually both practice and perform in their bare feet, although they sometimes wear shoes in competition depending on what kind of costume and performance they're going for.

* HasTwoMommies: Possibly Kimmy. In the episode where she has to be a "bad girl," it sounds like Angel asks her, "Have you ever talked back to your moms?" It's unclear if he actually said "moms" or if the accent just made him sound like he said it, though.

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

** Jojo's "Prom Queen" solo. Then again, it was inspired by ''Film/{{Carrie}}''.

** Jojo did a solo in season 5 called "Prom Queen" that was a reference to ''Film/{{Carrie}}''; she was even doused from head to toe in blood, although it wasn't nearly as much as Carrie.

* AndIMustScream: For most of "The Last Text", Paige is completely immobile, barely even blinking. [[spoiler:She turns to have been [[DeadAllAlong dead the whole time]] at the end.]]

While watching the girls grow up and improve is [[ComingOfAgeStory an undeniable long-term aspect]], the lion's share of the show's success is attributed to the drama and conflict among the show's subjects (sometimes created through [[ManipulativeEditing less-than-ethical means on behalf of the producers]]), such that it's ''incredibly'' rare [[OnceAnEpisode for an episode to go by]] without at least one shouting fight (or, occassionally, even a physical one). This drama comes from the combined factors of Miller's extremely strict and controversial teaching techniques, rivalries between mothers, ongoing tension with rival dance teams (namely Cathy Nesbitt-Stein and her Ohio-based Candy Apples Dance Center, who are practically presented as the show's antagonists), and personal problems. One early tagline for the show stated that "[Miller] makes stars, not friends" -- and boy, was that ever true.

Eventually, this extensive time period of close calls regarding the show's livelihood would eventually come to a head in June 2020, when numerous mothers came forward with allegations of Miller making racist remarks towards their children and fostering a hostile environment towards them based on their race. Lifetime officially severed ties with her shortly after, effectively ending ''Dance Moms'' for good, or at the very least erasing chances of Miller returning if a ninth season is ordered.

* BareYourMidriff: Practicing or at competition all the girls have their midriffs showing.
** To be fair, a lot of studios require similar outfits. It's very hard to move when you're in restricting clothing that isn't stretchy enough, plus this way you can get more of an idea of what you're doing wrong, like if your stomach isn't pulled in.

* WhatWereYouThinking: When Jill takes the stage in a tango, Christi and Melissa show up to present her with a crown and a bouquet. Abby doesn't take the situation very lightly, as she describes her feelings for the situation in one word: "[[WhatAnIdiot Idiots]]."

* CrossOver: Abby appeared in an episode of fellow Creator/{{Lifetime}} series ''Double Divas'', a bra-fitting reality show where BuxomIsBetter.

* AmbiguouslyBrown: Kalani and Kira definitely aren't white, but they're not exactly black ether...

* CoolPet: Broadway Baby. Overlaps a bit with TeamPet.

* UnfortunateImplications: InUniverse; in season 2, Abby makes a group dance based around bullying which originally has Nia cast as the bully. Holly was reasonably quick to react due to the offense she took from the character her daughter was made to portray, what with the stereotype-led image of her race. The role is then given to Payton.

* IllGirl: Vivi, apparently. In a season 3 episode, Christi says that Vivi is "always sick".
** Nia might also be an example, as she has a medical condition (something affecting the bones in her feet). In the Mother's Day special, it was revealed that she was actually in the hospital for some time over the summer, and was in a wheelchair for a while afterward.
** Mackenzie apparently has extra bones in one of her feet, making it painful for her to dance, though how painful it is seems to be up for debate. (See PlayingSick below.)

* DownerEnding: Many episodes end with the girls failing to win the competition, but "Abbygeddon" cranked things UpToEleven. [[spoiler:Their group lost to Cathy, and Maddie ran off stage mid-solo. They only get one win.]]

While watching the girls grow up and improve is [[ComingOfAgeStory an undeniable long-term aspect]], the lion's share of the show's success is attributed to the drama and conflict among the show's subjects (sometimes created through [[ManipulativeEditing less-than-ethical means on behalf of the producers]]), such that it's ''incredibly'' rare [[OnceAnEpisode for an episode to go by]] without at least one shouting fight. This drama comes from the combined factors of Miller's extremely strict and controversial teaching techniques, rivalries between mothers, ongoing tension with rival dance teams (namely Cathy Nesbitt-Stein and her Candy Apples Dance Center, who are practically presented as the show's antagonists), and personal problems. One early tagline for the show stated that "[Miller] makes stars, not friends" -- and boy, was that ever true.

As the show progressed, Miller moved her operations to Los Angeles, and more emphasis was put on the girls' burgeoning music and acting careers -- but it became quite evident that [[RealLifeWritesThePlot real-life issues were present as well]]. Miller's behavior and treatment of the girls, already concerning to some at first, [[{{Flanderization}} grew increasingly critical and intense]] such that official company departures from original team members on less than amicable terms became common, with some of the girls developing serious emotional problems. Later seasons were also affected by Miller becoming prone to breakdowns and working through legal troubles[[note]]In January 2014, dance mom Kelly Hyland was arrested on charges of assaulting Miller; her child Paige would file a separate ultimately-dismissed lawsuit towards Miller in October. In 2010, she filed for bankruptcy and owed more than $400,000 in taxes. In 2014, numerous lawsuits were thrown her way from former team members. In 2015, she was indicted for fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets, and false bankruptcy declarations for making a secret bank account to hide income. She was eventually sentenced on May 9, 2017 to a year and one day in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release.[[/note]] which grew so immense that she reportedly abandoned the moms and the elite dancers for three weeks before resigning from the show on March 26, 2017.

A RealityTelevision series on Creator/{{Lifetime}} that premiered in 2011. The entire series is available to watch without an account on [[https://www.mylifetime.com/shows/dance-moms Lifetime's official website]]. Highlights, compilations and full episodes are also available on the show's [[https://www.youtube.com/c/dancemoms/videos YouTube channel]].

While watching the girls grow up and improve is [[ComingOfAgeStory an undeniable long-term aspect]], the lion's share of the show's success is attributed to the drama and conflict among the show's subjects (sometimes created through [[ManipulativeEditing less-than-ethical means on behalf of the producers]]), such that it's ''incredibly'' rare [[OnceAnEpisode for an episode to go by]] without at least one shouting fight. This drama comes from the combined factors of Miller's extremely strict and controversial teaching techniques, rivalries between mothers, ongoing tension with rival dance teams (namely Cathy Nesbitt-Stein and her Candy Apples Dance Center, who are practically presented as [[BigBad the show's antagonists]]), and personal problems. One early tagline for the show stated that "[Miller] makes stars, not friends" -- and boy, was that ever true.

As the show progressed, Miller moved her operations to Los Angeles, and more emphasis was put on the girls' burgeoning music and acting careers -- but it became quite evident that [[RealLifeWritesThePlot real-life issues were present as well]]. Miller's behavior and treatment of the girls, already concerning to some at first, [[{{Flanderization}} grew increasingly critical and intense]] such that official company departures from original team members on less than amicable terms became common, with some of the girls developing serious emotional problems. Later seasons were also affected by Miller becoming prone to breakdowns and working through legal troubles[[note]]In January 2014, dance mom Kelly Hyland was arrested on charges of assaulting Miller; her child Paige would file a separate ultimately-dismissed lawsuit towards Miller in October. In 2010, she filed for bankruptcy and owed more than $400,000 in taxes. In 2014, numerous lawsuits were thrown her way from former team members. In 2015, she was indicted for fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets, and false bankruptcy declarations for making a secret bank account to hide income. She was eventually sentenced on May 9, 2017 to a year and one day in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release.[[/note]] which grew so immense that she reportedly abandoned the moms and the elite dancers for three weeks before resigning from the show as of March 26, 2017.

* [[RevolvingDoorBand Revolving Door Team]]: '''YES.''' Made even more heinous with the LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters.

* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: Oh yeah.

* AdultFear: See DarkerAndEdgier below.

* DarkerAndEdgier: Many of the dances are fun and cute, but Abby can veer into very dark territory that incorporates AdultFear. Notable examples are:

* SanitySlippage: Maddie shows excellently subtle hints of this in "The Last Text". Then again, [[AdultFear if you were seeing what she was seeing, you'd be going crazy too.]]

* SomethingCompletelyDifferent: ''Where Have All the Children Gone?'' and ''I See the Kite Flying'' are both performed to spoken-word pieces by the same CreepyMonotone author.

While watching the girls grow up and improve is [[ComingOfAgeStory an undeniable long-term aspect]], the lion's share of the show's success is attributed to the drama and conflict among the show's subjects (sometimes created through [[ManipulativeEditing less-than-ethical means on behalf of the producers]]), such that it's ''incredibly'' rare [[OnceAnEpisode for an episode to go by]] without at least one shouting fight. This drama comes from the combined factors of Miller's extremely strict and controversial teaching techniques, rivalries between mothers, ongoing tension with rival dance teams (namely Cathy Nesbitt-Stein and her Candy Apples Dance Center, who are practically presented as [[BigBad the show's antagonists]]), and personal problems. One early tagline for the show stated that "[Miller] makes stars, not friends" -- and boy, is that ever true.

[[TenMinuteRetirement However]], in July 2018, despite mass rumors that the show had officially ended or that it would continue with a new head coach replacing Miller, she announced that she would be returning for an eighth season with an entirely new team of dancers now relocated to Pittsburgh, which ran from June to September 2019. Eventually, this extensive time period of close calls regarding the show's livelihood would eventually come to a head in June 2020, when numerous mothers came forward with allegations of Miller making racist remarks towards their children and fostering a hostile environment towards them based on their race. Lifetime officially severed ties with her shortly after, effectively ending ''Dance Moms'' for good, or at the very least erasing chances of Miller returning if a ninth season is ordered.

* ItsPronouncedTroPAY: Christy's name has sometimes been pronounced with "Christ" as in "Jesus Christ", alluding to her aggressive religious beliefs.

As the show progressed, Miller moved her operations to Los Angeles, and more emphasis was put on the girls' burgeoning music and acting careers -- but it became quite evident that [[RealLifeWritesThePlot real-life issues were present as well]]. Miller's behavior and treatment of the girls, already concerning to some at first, [[{{Flanderization}} grew increasingly critical and intense]] such that [[RealityEnsues official company departures from original team members on less than amicable terms became common, with some of the girls developing serious emotional problems]]. Later seasons were also affected by Miller becoming prone to breakdowns and working through legal troubles[[note]]In January 2014, dance mom Kelly Hyland was arrested on charges of assaulting Miller; her child Paige would file a separate ultimately-dismissed lawsuit towards Miller in October. In 2010, she filed for bankruptcy and owed more than $400,000 in taxes. In 2014, numerous lawsuits were thrown her way from former team members. In 2015, she was indicted for fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets, and false bankruptcy declarations for making a secret bank account to hide income. She was eventually sentenced on May 9, 2017 to a year and one day in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release.[[/note]] which grew so immense that she reportedly abandoned the moms and the elite dancers for three weeks before resigning from the show as of March 26, 2017.

A RealityTelevision series on Creator/{{Lifetime}} that premiered in 2011.

The entire series is available to watch without an account on [[https://www.mylifetime.com/shows/dance-moms Lifetime's official website]]. Highlights, compilations and full episodes are also available on the show's [[https://www.youtube.com/c/dancemoms/videos YouTube channel]].

At its most basic level, the show revolves around the Junior Elite Competition Team of the Abby Lee Dance Company (headed by Abby Lee Miller), originally based in Pittsburgh. This team consists of a group of young girls aged 6-15, who Miller is training to become professional dancers as brought and looked after by their mothers (the titular "dance moms"). The main portion of the show's episodes has the team practicing for and traveling to weekly dance competitions, building up to Nationals (which is often what seasons end with).

While watching the girls grow up and improve is an undeniable long-term aspect, the lion's share of the show's success is attributed to the drama and conflict from the character dynamics it constructs out of the cast members (sometimes through [[ManipulativeEditing less-than-ethical means on behalf of the producers]]), such that it's ''incredibly'' rare [[OnceAnEpisode for an episode to go by]] without at least one shouting fight.

This drama comes from the combined factors of Miller's extremely strict, controversial teaching techniques, rivalries between mothers on the grounds of [[MamaBear protectiveness]] or outright [[DotingParent doting]] over their daughters, ongoing tension with rival dance teams (namely Cathy Nesbitt-Stein and her Candy Apples Dance Center, who are practically presented as [[BigBad the show's antagonists]]), personal problems, and any other situations that occur with the dance team. One early tagline for the show stated that "[Miller] makes stars, not friends" -- and boy, is that ever true.

[[TenMinuteRetirement However]], in July 2018, despite mass rumors that the show had officially ended or that it would continue with a new head coach replacing Miller, she announced that she would be returning for an eighth season. The season focused on her leading an entirely new team of dancers, going back to her Pittsburgh roots, and dealing with after-effects from her Burkitt's lymphoma diagnosis, and ran from June to September 2019.

This extensive time period of close calls regarding the show's livelihood would eventually come to a head in June 2020. After Miller posted to Instagram in support of Black Lives Matter at the start of the month, numerous mothers came forward with allegations of Miller making racist remarks towards their children and fostering a hostile environment towards them based on their race. Shortly after, Miller deleted her post and issued a public apology; Lifetime officially severed ties with her the next day, effectively ending ''Dance Moms'' for good, or at the very least erasing chances of Miller returning if a ninth season is ordered.