‘Dance Moms’ recap: Diva Las Vegas

‘Dance Moms’ recap: Diva Las Vegas
This week on Dance Moms, the team headed to Las Vegas for a competition, and each girl was a ball of nerves, none more so than Paige, with nationals on the horizon.
“I love Las Vegas,” Abby said as they arrived. “You either hit the jackpot or you lose.”
At the studio they would be practicing at for the week, the moms grilled Abby as to why she didn’t show up at the competition last weekend. Abby explained that she’s ashamed of her behavior when the likes of Cathy or Kelly make her angry, and she wanted to avoid that situation.
“I am a professional, and I will remain a professional!” Abby summed it up.
The moms didn’t buy Abby’s excuse, but she blew them off and continued to pyramid.
At the bottom were Paige and Brooke, no surprise there, followed by Nia and Kendall. On the next tier was Mackenzie, Asia, and Maddie, and at the top of the pyramid was Chloe. Abby told Chloe she earned the top spot for beating Zack from Candy Apples with her solo.
The solos for this week would go to Kendall, Asia, Brooke, and Paige. However, Abby didn’t want to work with Brooke and Paige since she was still mad at their mother, so she brought in a new choreographer, Ricky Palomino, to do their solos. Abby told all the girls that these solos would be their auditions for nationals.
As well as the solos, the group dance this week would be a musical theater number that paid tribute to historical Las Vegas – “Brat Pack.” Asia would not be in the group dance, nor would Mackenzie, who wasn’t there this week.
During practice, Kelly got a call from a local news station asking for Brooke to come on a talk show and discuss her upcoming album. Kelly said she knew Abby would be furious if Brooke missed rehearsal, but it would be worth it. Brooke was nervous about her tv appearance, but she did a great job answering their questions with poise.
Back at practice, Abby made each of the girls do the choreography for the group dance by themselves in front of her, the moms, and the other girls. When it was Paige’s turn, she turned to her mom and confessed that she couldn’t breathe. Kelly rushed her out of the room and tried to calm her down. Paige was having an anxiety attack because she was so nervous about dancing in front of Abby.
On competition day, Kendall was the first girl to perform her solo. Kendall was extremely nervous since she knew this solo would determine if Abby would let her compete at nationals.
However, Kendall took the stage with confidence. In her contemporary routine, Kendall portrayed an Egyptian princess, complete with a jeweled collar and cat-eyes makeup. During the middle of her dance, Abby mouthed to Kendall, “Look at the judges!” During the rest of the dance, Abby shook her head dejectedly. Abby thought Kendall could have done a lot better. She said, “Kendall started out strong and went downhill.”
In Asia’s solo, she portrayed a flamingo in a hot pink feathered costume. Asia flapped her arms, in addition to the typical Asia-choreography, in order to mimic the bird. All in all, she put on a fierce performance as usual. Check it out below.

Brooke’s solo, entitled “Now is My Time” was a slower contemporary piece. Although she looked very pretty, Abby said, “Brooke’s dancing looked very abrupt and her facial expressions were pure concentration.
Paige felt the pressure when it was her turn to take the stage. She wore a beautiful blue two-pieced costume with flowing skirt. Abby reminded her that it cost $500 so she better do a good job. A minute into her dance, Paige froze on stage before walking off in tears. Abby looked smug as she said, “I bet 100 bucks she was gonna forget it and run off the stage!”
In the dressing room, Kelly told Abby, “My daughter was a wreck all freaking week!”
Abby told Kelly that it’s her fault for driving a wedge between her daughters and their dance coach. Kelly responded that Abby’s the one who’s driven the wedge for being so mean.
Finally, Abby consoled Paige, telling her “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
The group number, “Brat Pack,” was up next. The girls looked adorable in their menswear – black slacks, shirts and ties, and fedoras. The upbeat, Broadway style number looked very sharp. Even Abby said they looked “fabulous”
During awards, Asia won first place in the mini solo division for her flamingo dance. In the junior solo category, Kendall came in sixth place and Brooke came in third. And finally, the small group won first place for “Brat Pack.”
Back in the dressing room, Abby told Kendall that sixth place wasn’t going to cut it for nationals. We’ll see if she changes her mind next week. Watch the new episode at 8/7c and then a new season of Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition at 9/8c!