Dance Moms

10 Best Episodes of Dance Moms - Season 5

Dance Moms is a hit show that first aired in 2011 on Lifetime. It follows the Abby Lee Dance Company's Junior Elite Competition Team of young girls aged 11–14 years old as they compete for awards. It has been nine seasons long and has become a popular show worldwide. So, which episodes should you watch? Here is a ranking of the best episodes of Dance Moms ranked.

The episode "JoJo Steals the Show" from season 5 is considered one of the show's best episodes. In this episode, Abby Lee Miller has the girls competing against a rival dance team from California. Jojo is able to step in and help the team with a solo performance at the last minute, showing off her talents and winning the competition for the team. This episode has some of the best performances from the show, and is a great watch.

The season 6 episode "No More Crybabies" is another fan favorite. This episode is full of drama and tension, as Abby Lee Miller attempts to teach the girls a lesson in discipline. The girls struggle with their emotions and the pressure of performing, leading to an explosive confrontation. This episode is a must-watch for any fan of Dance Moms.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 13, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Dance Moms - S5E6

#15 - Nia Risks It All (Season 5 - Episode 6)

In the episode of Dance Moms titled "Nia Risks It All," the chaos from the first week in Los Angeles continues when Abby and Holly have their most explosive fight yet. Holly makes the decision to work with a huge star without consulting Abby, and Maddie prepares for another big Hollywood job. Abby then announces an open call audition in Los Angeles, leaving the girls of the ALDC fearful of their futures.

This episode proves just how quickly things can change in the world of dance, as Abby and Holly's fight leaves the ALDC in a state of turmoil. Nia is especially anxious about the future as she takes a risk and decides to audition for the open call. With Maddie already in the mix of Hollywood jobs, it is anyone's guess what the future holds for the ALDC. Tune in to see if Nia takes the ultimate risk and if it pays off for her.

The episode was rated 7.63 from 81 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E9

#14 - The Great Divide (Season 5 - Episode 9)

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The ALDC is back in Pittsburgh and the pressure to win is on after their lackluster performance in Los Angeles. The Dance Moms episode, "The Great Divide," shows the tension growing between the moms over who stayed to film the MattyB music video and who left. Abby takes her frustration out on the team with a group dance that is a personal attack against the mothers. Making matters worse, Abby discovers the team is in the teen division and one older member must sit out, which furthers the divide between the team.

The episode highlights the importance of teamwork, collaboration and understanding. Even though the moms were divided, they were able to come together to support their daughters and help them overcome their differences. Despite their disagreements, the moms were able to put their differences aside and make sure their daughters had the best possible chance of success. The moms also demonstrated the importance of communication and compromise in order to reach a common goal.

The episode was rated 7.63 from 90 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E15

#13 - Maddie vs. Kalani (Season 5 - Episode 15)

In this episode of Dance Moms, Abby is determined to have a victory against the Murrieta Dance Project. In order to achieve this, she gives solos to her strongest dancers, Maddie and Kalani. Nia, however, is left out of her show-biz opportunity and is disappointed by this.

Maddie and Kalani have to face off against each other in this episode, as they compete for the solo. Maddie and Kalani are both talented dancers, and the competition between them is sure to be intense. Though Nia is not part of the competition, her presence will still be felt in the dance studio as she watches her friends compete for the chance to win the solo.

The episode was rated 7.65 from 77 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E11

#12 - Nia's Last Chance (Season 5 - Episode 11)

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This week on Dance Moms, the ALDC heads to Philadelphia with a risky non-lyrical routine. Nia, Maddie and Kendall are feeling the pressure with their solos, and Nia is singled out with an ultimatum from Abby. In addition to the pressure of the competition, tensions are running high within the team. Holly, fed up with the lack of support from Melissa and Jill and tired of being victimized by Abby, makes friends with two unlikely allies, much to the dismay of the other moms.

Throughout the episode, the team must deal with the pressures of the competition and the inner turmoil from their differences. Nia is faced with the ultimatum from Abby to succeed or else, and Holly's decision to befriend two outside moms puts her at odds with the original group. The episode culminates in a tense competition where the team must pull together to prove their strength, despite all the drama.

The episode was rated 7.65 from 95 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E24

#11 - West Coast Strikes Back (Season 5 - Episode 24)

In the Dance Moms episode "West Coast Strikes Back," the ALDC team is pitted against their biggest West Coast rival, MDP. The stakes are high and Abby tests Mackenzie's confidence by giving her a big opportunity. JoJo's sick grandmother comes to town and is desperate for JoJo to have a featured role.

With the ALDC and MDP teams facing off, Abby puts her trust in Mackenzie and gives her a chance to prove her worth. During the competition, Mackenzie must rise up to the challenge and demonstrate her skills in order to win. JoJo's sick grandmother has come to Los Angeles with the hope that JoJo will have a featured role in the competition, adding further pressure and emotion to the mix.

The episode was rated 7.67 from 70 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E13

#10 - Mackenzie's Time to Shine (Season 5 - Episode 13)

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In the episode "Mackenzie's Time to Shine" of Dance Moms, Mackenzie is given the chance to shine and prove her skills while Maddie is away. Abbott pushes the boundaries of their routine by creating a sassy, edgy performance to compete against Cathy's premium Candy Apples team.

Mackenzie has the unexpected opportunity to show her skills and ability to the other moms and dancers, and it will be a chance for her to prove that she can perform and compete with the same excellence as Maddie. This will be a challenge since they will be going up against the Candy Apples, one of the top teams in the competition circuit. This routine is definitely going to be a memorable one, and will be something to look forward to.

The episode was rated 7.69 from 96 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E12

#9 - Abby's Trash, Cathy's Treasure (Season 5 - Episode 12)

On the latest episode of Dance Moms, Abby's Trash, Cathy's Treasure, viewers were treated to a brand new music video featuring Maddie, the show's most beloved dancer, and Sia. This special collaboration had the media buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Meanwhile, Cathy had her own plans in store for the episode. She assembled a team of dancers, all of whom had previously worked with Abby, and were now looking to challenge her on the dance floor and get some sweet, sweet revenge.

The stage was set for an intense dance-off between Abby and Cathy's teams. With Maddie in the spotlight and Abby and Cathy's teams facing off, viewers were in for a treat. Every performance was unique and captivating, showcasing the skill and passion of all the dancers involved. In the end, Cathy's team emerged victorious, proving that their hard work and dedication had paid off. With Abby's Trash, Cathy's Treasure, viewers were treated to an exciting and inspiring episode of Dance Moms.

The episode was rated 7.69 from 96 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E18

#8 - Showdown in Pittsburgh, Part 2 (Season 5 - Episode 18)

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In the second part of the episode "Showdown in Pittsburgh", the ALDC embarks on their last competition before their big move to Los Angeles. With only two girls present, tensions rise between the team and their rivals, Cathy and Jeanette. Both teams bring their best to the table, but the ALDC is at risk of disqualification due to their lack of members.

The stakes are high for the ALDC as the pressure mounts for them to win. With only two girls competing, the team must rely on the strength of their performance to come out on top. It's a nail biting competition for the ALDC as they fight for a victory that will help them make their mark before their big move to Los Angeles.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 69 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E3

#7 - JoJo with a Bow Bow (Season 5 - Episode 3)

In this episode of Dance Moms, titled "JoJo with a Bow Bow," the ALDC team is down a member when Maddie leaves for an exciting opportunity with Sia in Los Angeles. To fill the void, Abby calls in a new dancer, JoJo, whose star quality threatens both the moms and the girls. The moms question Abby's dedication to the week's routines without her favorite dancer around.

JoJo's entrance into the ALDC team shakes up the dynamic, as her star quality threatens the moms and girls. The moms worry that Abby will favor JoJo over their own daughters and the girls feel threatened by the newcomer's superior dancing skills. With Maddie gone, will Abby be able to put aside her personal feelings and create a cohesive team in time for their upcoming competition?

The episode was rated 7.71 from 112 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E29

#6 - Baby Dance Mama Drama (Season 5 - Episode 29)

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Dance Moms has always provided drama, and this episode of Baby Dance Mama Drama is no exception. The episode follows the young dancers of Abby Lee Dance Company as they compete in a new competition, with the focus this time on their mothers. As the mothers compete to be the best dance moms, the tension mounts and ultimately leads to fierce arguments and a showdown between Abby and her team.

The episode starts off with the moms competing for a spot in the competition, and it quickly becomes clear that this is going to be an intense competition. As the competition intensifies, the moms start to feel the pressure and the competition turns ugly, with Abby and the moms arguing, yelling, and clashing. As the competition progresses, the tension continues to build and the drama begins to unfold. Eventually, Abby and the moms come to a head and Abby forces her team to choose between her and the competition.

In the end, the moms come to a compromise and the competition continues, with Abby and the moms ultimately coming out victorious. This episode of Dance Moms provides an interesting look into the world of competitive dance and the intense relationships between the dancers and their mothers. The episode is full of drama and emotion, making it an entertaining hour of television.

The episode was rated 7.73 from 85 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E5

#5 - Hello Hollywood, Goodbye Abby (Season 5 - Episode 5)

The ALDC have finally arrived in Los Angeles and they are in for a tough competition when a top West Coast dance studio declares war. Abby sets up an audition with a casting agent for the girls but the pressure of LA is too great and Abby suffers a huge breakdown, leaving the moms to question her abilities as a manager.

In this episode of Dance Moms, the ALDC have to face their toughest competition yet in Los Angeles. With the pressure of LA being too much for Abby, she experiences a huge breakdown and the moms have to decide if she is still fit to manage the team. With the competition becoming more and more intense, it will be a challenge for the ALDC to stay focused and prove that they can rise up to the challenge.

The episode was rated 7.74 from 80 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E14

#4 - Hollywood, Round Two (Season 5 - Episode 14)

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This week on Dance Moms, the ALDC team is back in LA to redeem themselves and focus on what made them stars in the first place: winning competitions. Holly and Jill get into a disagreement when Abby decides to manage Kendall's singing career. Nia and Kendall both compete against each other with solos, while Abby's drama continues to cause tension. The girls perform a group dance in hopes of making Abby proud.

In this episode, Holly and Jill's disagreement over Abby managing Kendall's singing career reveals how seriously the team takes their success. With both Nia and Kendall competing against each other with solos, the stakes are high. The pressure is on for them to prove themselves and make Abby proud. Despite the constant drama, the team comes together and puts on a great performance. This episode reflects the team's determination to succeed and their dedication to their craft.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 88 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E27

#3 - Abby vs. Kira ... AGAIN! (Season 5 - Episode 27)

Dance Moms episode "Abby vs. Kira ... AGAIN!" brings a dramatic twist to the ALDC's competition season. With only a few weeks until Nationals, the team is desperate for a win, and the Candy Apples have returned with a surprise guest ready to take advantage of ALDC's misfortunes. To complicate matters, Kira is still dissatisfied with Abby's treatment of Kalani and decides to bring in reinforcements from Kalani's past, posing a direct threat to Abby.

The episode promises to be full of tension as the ALDC travels to Arizona to face the Candy Apples and Kira's reinforcements. Fans of the show will be eager to see how Abby and the team handle this challenge, as well as how Kalani's past will play a role in the competition. With the stakes high, viewers can expect a thrilling episode full of surprises, intense competition, and a potential win for the ALDC.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 81 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E20

#2 - Dance Moms Down Under, Part 1 (Season 5 - Episode 20)

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The hit TV show Dance Moms is taking viewers Down Under in the episode Dance Moms Down Under, Part 1. The episode follows the ALDC, who head to Australia to perform at the ASTRA Awards. Chaos ensues as Abby loses her passport and leaves the team stranded in Sydney without her. Jess confronts the other mothers, while Maddie misses a crucial rehearsal when she goes to an interview in Abby's place.

The Dance Moms Down Under, Part 1 episode is filled with drama from start to finish. It all starts with Abby losing her passport and leaving the team in a lurch. This leads to Jess confronting the other mothers, who have to figure out how to make it to the ASTRA Awards without Abby. Meanwhile, Maddie has to miss a crucial rehearsal when she steps in to do an interview in Abby's place. It's a nail-biting episode filled with high stakes and a lot of emotion.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 72 votes.

Dance Moms - S5E33

#1 - Slumber Party! (Season 5 - Episode 33)

In Dance Moms' Slumber Party special, Maddie takes viewers behind the scenes to experience the fun and excitement of the girls' slumber party. The girls share their thoughts on celebrity crushes, makeup tips, and which of them take the longest to get ready. For a lighthearted and fun episode, the girls open up and share secrets with the audience.

The episode kicks off with the girls talking about their favorite celebrities. They reveal their celebrity crushes and the silly things they've done to get their attention. Next, the girls share their make up tips and tricks, from their favorite products to the looks that make them feel the most confident. Then, they move on to the topic of who takes the longest to get ready. They all have their own unique beauty routines and they share their stories with the audience.

At the end of the episode, the girls come together to discuss their favorite memories of the Dance Moms experience. They share stories about the times when they stayed up late for practices and competitions, as well as the fun moments they shared on the show. It's a very special episode that allows viewers to get up close and personal with the girls.

The episode was rated 8.17 from 23 votes.

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