At the End of Our Journey There's Joffrey (My "Dance Moms" Spring Finale Recap)

Hello, Dance Mom Fanatics! Can you believe that the Spring Finale has come and gone? And what an episode it was, so let's jump right in.

We traveled directly from Detroit to New York City to begin our preparations for the Joffrey School auditions and the Starbound competition, so we started the week off already exhausted and edgy.  It is difficult for the moms to listen to pyramid and then go sit upstairs in the Mom's Den, but to sit in the room and actually listen to Abby talking to the girls is almost unbearable. As moms, our main goal is protect our children, but when we stick up to Abby, she is twice as hard on your child, so it's a Catch 22. And Abby was in a particularly combative mood that day, so we were at our wit's end. I really felt like I was in maximum security dance jail.

Speaking of jail, how about that number?  I am a huge fan of Chicago and Cell Block Tango is one of my favorite pieces of choreography, ever! However, the women in that number are just that, women! Not little girls. My little Chlobird was a jailbird! And this momma bird was not a happy camper. Our girls have a whole lifetime ahead of them to be edgy, but they are only little girls once. Can't we just go with that? And numbers that are "controversial" NEVER do well. I think I feel a pattern emerging, maybe I should bring it to Abby's attention at the next pyramid?....HA!

The morning of the Joffrey auditions, Chloe and I had a private talk about what they could be looking for. I knew Chloe was excited about the audition and wanted to put her best foot forward, but I really wanted to realize that this was NOT a competition and the "judges" were going to be looking for different aspects in a dancer than a typical competition judge. I really just wanted her to go in, give it her best shot and really listen to their critiques. I knew they were an impartial jury and I felt like their advice would be invaluable. The feedback they showed on the episode was only a portion of what they told her and the rest of what they said was a revelation for Chloe. It is something she shared with me privately and I know she will hold it close to her heart every time Abby tries to tear her down in the future. So, scholarship or not, THAT made the entire experience worth it!

But, she was lucky enough to receive an invitation and she was very, very excited. But to receive news like that, on a speaker phone, in front of your friends, is incredibly difficult. Chloe knew all other girls would have loved to be in her shoes, so she was very guarded about coming across as bragging and held her emotions in check. She definetely did not want to hurt anyone's feelings. And I was trying to be very careful as well. And the girls needed to refocus on the competition in front of them.

Chloe was soooo excited to be the Red Queen. She has been begging to do this dance all season, so she was thrilled to finally get the chance. I was trying to get her ready as quickly as possible because I wanted her to have time to prepare herself. And I had NO idea what Abby was whispering about Chloe in the corner. To be honest, I was shocked. I am actually glad that I did not hear those comments that day or I would not have been able to control my feelings on the subject. Ugh!

When the girls ran to take their places back stage, I knew Chloe and Maddie were both feeling stressed. But I never expected Maddie to forget her dance and leave the stage. As a mom, I know how it feels to watch your child panic like that and your heart breaks for them. To say I felt bad for Maddie is an understement. We all did. We are moms first and she is a little girl, so naturally we did not want to see her hurt. 

But what really upset all of us was Abby's reaction. It was so infuriating to watch Abby behave like a child, when she has done nothing but berate the kids who have been in the same position. I really don't feel like I have to say anything else on this matter because Holly really said it all. And, although I was voted Top Mom this week, I respectfully decline the honor and bestow it on Holly. She deserved it. She articulated what everyone has been thinking for two, no correction, SIX years.

When I saw Abby sobbing and hugging Maddie in the dressing room and Chloe alone was in the corner with her head on the makeup mirror, it BROKE MY HEART. That has really made me think....

Yes, Chloe won first. I was thrilled for her, but I wanted her to be happy for herself, win or lose, because I know she will never get the praise she deserves from others. It is not about pleasing them, it is not about pleasing me, it is about Chloe pleasing herself. THAT is what is most important. So, we have come to the end of our journey and what a journey it has been.

See you on the flip side.

Cheers,

Christi

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