Dance Moms reunion: Stars reunite for special event

WEB DESK: Fans of the original “Dance Moms” show were treated to a two-hour reunion special that premiered on the Lifetime channel on Wednesday.

“Dance Moms” originally aired from 2011 to 2019. It introduced audiences to a group of young dancers and their mothers. The mothers were as much a part of the drama and show as the supposed contestants.

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The Dance Moms reunion saw Chloe Lukasiak, Brooke Hyland, Paige Hyland, Kendall Vertes, Kalani Hilliker, and JoJo Siwa coming together along with their mothers.

“Dance Moms: The Reunion” brought together the famous former contestants who reminisced about the highs and lows of their time on the show.

However, the absence of some original cast members was immediately noticed. Nia Sioux, Maddie Ziegler, and Mackenzie Ziegler were noticeably absent from the reunion.

The Ziegler matriarch explained their decision not to participate in the reunion. She cited concerns about mental health as the reason to not attend.

In addition to the Dance Moms reunion, Lifetime premiered a new compilation series called “Dance Moms: Epic Showdowns.” The series pledges to showcase “even more memorable moments” from the original show.

Dance Moms documented the training and “professional journeys” of young dancers under the guidance of Abby Lee Miller during its entire eight-seasons run.

The show was initially based in Pittsburgh before transitioning to Los Angeles. The reality show shadowed the “Abby Lee Dance Company’s Junior Elite Competition Team” as they competed across the United States.

The show gained fame for its mix of dancing and behind-the-scenes drama. Abby Lee Miller’s strict coaching approach, including her use of a “pyramid-ranking system” to judge or “encourage” the girls, fueled much of the tension among the mothers.

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As the series progressed, it explored the dancers’ pursuits of careers in the entertainment industry. The show concluded after Miller departed.

Miller’s health concerns led to the cancellation of the planned return for season 8. Although a ninth season was announced, nothing has come of it.