Plot Synopsis

This reality series follows the world of competitive dance at Pittsburgh's Abby Lee Dance Company, where passionate instructor Abby Lee Miller demands the best of her dancers while she also manages the personalities of their doting mothers. In May 1995 Abby Lee opened the doors to her brand new state-of-the-art facility after 15 years of leading dance students to unparalleled competition success. Miller runs her school with an iron tap shoe as she instructs her young, talented students, grooming them for success in the fast-growing and controversial sport of competitive dance. Constantly on edge from Miller's strict discipline and at times harsh 'my way or the highway' style of teaching, her students and their mothers are pushed to the limit emotionally, physically, socially and, in some cases, financially as they tirelessly rehearse every day for weekly dance competitions throughout the United States.

DANCE MOMS opened its third season on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 9pm ET with a 90-minute episode featuring an open audition so Abby could replace Brooke and Paige. Just before the Season 3 premiere, Lifetime presented a one-hour special, "The Smoke Before the Fire," during which Abby Lee and the mothers revealed what to expect in the new season.

Immediately following and all-day marathon (8am-8pm ET/PT) of encore episodes, Lifetime aired a one-hour special, "Guess Who's Coming to the Dance?," on Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at 8pm ET/PT and the Season 4 premiere at 9pm ET/PT. In the season opener, Abby announces that she will hold open-call auditions for new dancers, and that no position on the team is safe. On Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 9pm ET/PT, Lifetime aired Season 4 Summer premiere of DANCE MOMS. In the first episode back, Abby kicks off the new dance season by bringing back her winning Select Team to compete against her original Elite Team for a rematch in Wheeling, WV. With Mackenzie's pop song climbing the charts, Abby rewards her with a solo against Christy's daughter Sarah. The original DANCE MOMS grow furious that Abby is once again favoring her new team -- but it's the Select Moms who really can't stand the heat.

Lifetime premiered the fifth season of DANCE MOMS on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT. The ALDC's fifth dance competition season is off to a rocky start when a key member disappears and cuts off all ties to the kids and moms. With one dancer M.I.A., Abby calls in an old friend to join the team. Abby's world comes crashing down when an ex-student threatens legal action and could jeopardize the ALDC's big plans for the season. Just before the season opener, singer and actress Coco Jones hosts a one-hour special, "Girl Talk," at 8pm ET/PT as the DANCE MOMS girls will answer their fans' questions, covering topics like boyfriends, rivalries...and Abby. Plus, the girls reveals their favorite dances over the years and even demonstrate how to perform some of their signature moves. On Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime, DANCE MOMS returned for its Season 5 Summer season. In the midseason premiere, "Live from LA, It's Kendall K," ALDC LA is now a reality as the team finally makes its permanent move to Los Angeles. Kendall's video is set to premiere, but the pressure of her debut as a pop star coupled with a solo, pushes her to the limit. Meanwhile, Abby makes a dramatic decision that the moms fear will jeopardize ALDC LA's first competition.

Season 6 of DANCE MOMS premiered on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime, immediately following a brand-new one-hour special (8pm) and a 12-hour marathon (8am-8pm) of encore episodes. In the special (8pm), "No Moms Allowed," the girls get together to discuss their mothers, Abby's crazy behavior last season and Maddie's new movie career; the girls perform a dance they choreographed themselves. Then, in the season opener (9pm), "New Season, New Rules," it's the ALDC's first week of the competition season and Abby starts it off with a bang -- a big announcement that will change the future of the team. Maddie's star is glowing brightly as she shoots her first movie and her new substitute on the team is a slap in the face to Jill and Kendall. Meanwhile, Jeanette and her BDA team, the reigning National champs, are back and ready to show the ALDC how dancing is done. After a four-month break, DANCE MOM returned with new episodes on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT, immediately following a 12-hour marathon (8am-8pm) of encore episodes and a brand-new special (8-9pm). To kick off the second half of Season 6, the night opens (8-9pm) with "Girl Talk (Part 3)," as Jai Rodriguez and the girls of the ALDC are back to give the latest on Abby and the team and debut some brand new dances. Some super fans get up close and personal with the girls, the newest member of the Mini Team is introduced. The Dads of DANCE MOMS finally make an appearance to spill their daughters' deepest secrets and show off their own moves. Then, the fall season premiere (9-10:10pm), "Abby's New Beginning," begins with a newly motivated Abby Lee promising to no longer overlook her remaining dancers now that her star, Maddie, is gone. Abby assigns Brynn and Kendall head-to-head duets with boy partners and Brynn struggles with the pressure. When Jess calls out Abby's favoritism for Brynn, Ashlee hits her boiling point. In the rest of Season 6, Abby is focused on making sure that her studio is thriving, as she searches for her next Maddie while nurturing her ALDC Junior Elite girls to become stars. Plus, Abby's next generation of dancers -- the Mini Elite Team -- is full of promise and could put ALDC back on track to reclaim the National Title.

On Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT, Lifetime premiered the seventh season of DANCE MOMS. In the season opener, "Fight for Your Life," after an eight week break, Abby reaches out to the Junior Elite mothers and asks them to come to the ALDC to hear an announcement that she believes with change everything. On Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 9pm ET/PT, Lifetime debuted the mid-season premiere of DANCE MOMS. In the summer premiere, "Judgment Day Approaches," it's the first week back and the news quickly spreads that Abby's court sentencing is just two weeks away. With the clock ticking, the moms are desperate to know what Abby's plans are for the future, but Abby's total denial creates havoc for the team. Instead of focusing on her own court case, Abby creates a group dance centered around Ashlee and Brynn's family court battle, forcing Brynn to face emotionally charged subject matter through dance.

Season 8 of DANCE MOMS premiered on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 from 9-11:15pm ET/PT on Lifetime, immediately following a new one-hour special (8pm). In the new special, "The Return of Abby," the world's most infamous dance teacher allows cameras to follow her after her release from prison. Watch as Abby fights for her life and rebuilds what was broken in hopes of starting a brand new competition team. Plus, the program takes a look at Abby's physical and emotional struggles while undergoing chemotherapy and learning to regain the use of her legs. In the 135-minute season opener, "Abby's Big Comeback; Mommy Dearest," Abby finally returns to the competition dance scene where her legacy first began in Pittsburgh PA. Emotions run high and tension builds as Abby hopes her new team of seven strangers can dance together as one. No dancer is safe and the cracks begin to show as some new team members struggle to shine. New dancers include: 13-year-old Hannah, whose mom, a former choreographer and pageant director, expects only the best from her, which means even if there's no dance class Hannah is in the studio; 7-year-old Kamryn, an athlete since childhood, and mom Adriana, who views dance as a sport; Savannah, whose mom -- former first grade teacher Erin -- quit her job to be a full time dance mom to Savannah; 11-year-old Sarah, whose mom -- full-time dance mom Michelle -- is a Pittsburgh native with many friends in common with Abby; 11-year-old Pressley, whose mom Ashley is a dance studio owner and former professional dancer; 13-year-old GiaNina, whose mom Joanne is a dance teacher who has taught her daughter everything she knows; 13-year-old Brady, the first dancer in his family and will do whatever it takes to make Abby's Elite team, making his mom Tricia proud; 10-year-old Lilliana and her mom Stacey are back at the ALDC.
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On Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT, Lifetime premiered "Reunion: Kids Tell All," a new one-hour DANCE MOMS special. Jai Rodriquez joins the newest members of the ALDC as they dish the dirt on Abby, the moms, secret crushes and more. Plus, the girls give live performances of their favorite award-winning dances.