‘Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition’ recap: Dare to be You

In this episode of AUDC, Abby announced to the dancers that this week’s skill would be individuality. Suddenly, Lady Gaga came on the big screen in the room. She congratulated the dancers for making it into the competition, and then she encouraged them to stay focused and stay true to themselves. That’s right, this week’s dances would be Lady Gaga themed.

For the challenge, who better to choreograph a combination than Richy Jackson – Lady Gaga’s lead choreographer and of course an AUDC judge. JoJo was the first dancer eliminated from the challenge for the second week in a row. Next, Chloe was nixed. Finally, the three remaining dancers were Travis, Tyler, and Gianna. Gianna ended up winning the challenge because she implemented a jump that really made her stand out as an individual.

As her prize, Gianna got to pick her routine based only on the sketches of their costumes. Gianna chose a silver costume, which Abby then revealed went with a lyrical contemporary number. After dismissing Gianna, Abby had some advice for her mother, Cindy: don’t ever where those hideous flip flops again! Cindy scoffed, saying Abby wears the same black outfit every day and should not be the one to give our fashion advice.

Meanwhile, it was time for the competitors to prepare for their Gaga-themed dances. When Abby stepped in to JoJo’s practice, she pulled her mom Jessalynn aside and told her that JoJo needs to shut her mouth. Abby went on to say that homeschooling JoJo has made her a spoiled, and she bets JoJo has never been told “no” in her life. Abby continued her lessons at Ally’s practice, telling Ally to hold her arms correctly. After Abby left, Ally’s mom, Tiffany, yelled at her too. Poor Ally!

After a stressful day of rehearsal, it was the night of the live performances. Ally and Kalani’s duet was first. The number, entitled “Piano Passion,” was choreographed by the infamous Anthony. Kalani wore a platinum blonde fro and Ally sported a hot pink bob as they showed off their routine. When they were done, Abby told Kalani she needs to work on doing extensions on both legs. Ally was told she has a lazy relevé and she needs to “go harder.”

The next routine of the night was Gianna and Trinity’s duet, “Two Sides of a Star.” In the number, one girl portrayed every day Gaga, while the other was performance Gaga. Abby critiqued the performance, saying neither of them made eye contact with the judges. Rachelle, on the other hand, complemented that both girls successfully created a character.

Travis, Tyler, and JoJo performed a trio for the next number. The dancers portrayed fashion addicts who went to jail for shoplifting. Abby said she enjoyed watching them, and Rachelle agreed that it was entertaining.

The last number of the night was Haley, Chloe, and McKaylee’s trio, “Bleeding Heart.” The judges thought it was a hot mess. Abby critiqued Chloe’s switch leap and the fact that Haley was two counts too early. Rachelle said she missed the connection between the three dancers. And all the judges weren’t sure about the grimacing faces the girls made throughout the entire number.

After the judges deliberated, they called the dancers back out. Abby announced, “I didn’t see any little Lady Gagas. Everybody failed.”
Nevertheless, JoJo, Kalani, Tyler, Gianna, and Travis were told they were safe.

Then, the judges told Trinity that she needs to work on her eye contact and her sickled feet, but she was safe too. Ally forgot a step in her dance, but she would also be staying another week.

The bottom three girls were from the “Bleeding Heart” number. The judges said the faces are what really got to them. In the end, the judges decided to send Chloe home, saying she just needs to push the envelope further.

As tears filled Chloe’s eyes and she began to thank the judges for the opportunity of competing, Richy stopped her. Richy said he couldn’t stand seeing Chloe go home and was going to use his one judge’s call back card to bring her back into the competition. Chloe and her mom were elated, and Chloe ran up to the judge’s table to give Richy a big hug.

Next week on AUDC, the competitors will dance to a gods versus mortals theme. Catch on Lifetime at 9/8c.