The First To Go Home: My Experience on "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition" (Episode One)

Spoiler alert! In the first episode, Abby and the judges decided to send Renee and her daughter Tessa back to the studio! Here Renee shares her thoughts about the episode. "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition" airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Lifetime.

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Wow this was one crazy whirlwind of a time for me and Tessa. It felt surreal, but also comfortable.  We were so made for the lights, camera and action!

When the judges let us know the first “challenge” I was happy for Tessa, technique is definitely her strength and she was feeling confident. Tessa was quick picking up the choreography; she always is… BUT her hair! It was driving me crazy. It was down and in her way.  Ahhhh!!!  I was dying watching her with her hair looking like that. It’s never looks like crap, why now? Out of all times now? Luckily I was able to quickly put it up, and she was back to her beautiful, professional self.

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Challenge winner = Elisabeth. What the ****? I believed Elisabeth was one of the contestants with WEAK technique!  When Abby said “I Love the BLUE on you Elisabeth, you are the technique winner,” I almost puked.  Big gulp, quick sting and I moved on. Tessa just moves on and doesn’t dwell.  She is more mature then me, she said “I know Mom it was so unfair and stupid but let’s get moving”.

Then we got to the trio. Sooo, TAP!? I thought to myself we might as well just leave the competition and head home. This is SUICIDE! Hello, has anyone EVER been to a dance competition where the winner had a TAP routine??? Heck NO! Don’t get me wrong, Tessa is a great tapper however I doubted Richy or Robin wanted to see this.  But I jumped into Mom Mode and thought let’s look on the bright side, you are great at tap. Let’s make the best of it and shine.

I was disappointed in the choreographer during practice. It seemed Joyce’s attitude was this is a trio and no one should try and out dance one another.  During the stage competition, it looked as if Robin Antin was holding back laughing when she watched the girls perform. She had nothing to say about the dance, only the oversized flapper dress and crummy finger wave wig.  When Abby had her turn to speak (or I mean yell) I was completely blown away at her comment, “Tessa you BLEW it! You could have been the STAR of the show and you BLEW it! You had it handed to you on a silver platter”!  Excuse me? I realize Tessa has to acquire better facials but come on, so not fair.

Tessa stood tall with grace as she listened to each judge rip her for her costume (which she had no control over) as well as Abby’s comments. Tessa is the strongest chick I know!

I was sad and felt cheated to have Tessa leave so quickly, she was just warming up. She never got a chance to shine dancing. I keep replaying things in my mind, should of, could of and would of’s – it’s self-torture. I never wanted to stand in the way of my daughter’s success and I keep questioning if I did, not a good feeling for a mom.

But overall the experience was wonderful. It was beneficial for Tessa to get to know the Hollywood side of dance and she will grow from it. The future is crazy bright for my daughter. Get ready world you are not through seeing Tessa perform for you!

As for the competition, there were so many great dancers!  Who will win??? Who stands out???? I am not sure how this playbook reads – but I will be tuning in.

Watch new episodes of "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition" Tuesdays at 9/8c on Lifetime