Dance Moms

10 Best Episodes of Dance Moms - Season 1

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 - S1E11

#12 - It All Ends Here (Season 1 - Episode 11)

After competing all season, it all boils down to the National Title Competition. Abby's dancers have been on a losing streak and this is their last chance to prove they can win. Meanwhile, Melissa leaves the competition early to go on vacation. Her ex-husband, Kurt, steps in as a "Dance Dad", sending Melissa into a panic. 

The episode was rated 7.28 from 123 votes.

Dance Moms - S1E5

#11 - When Stars Collide (Season 1 - Episode 5)

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The Abby Lee Dance Company is on the edge after learning that a big Broadway casting director will attend their annual showcase, an exhibition in which she shows off her accomplished dancers. Abby's desire to push the girls to the max could have catastrophic effects if they don't do their best. 

The episode was rated 7.49 from 162 votes.

Dance Moms - S1E1

#10 - The Competition Begins (Season 1 - Episode 1)

Meet the dance instructor Abby Lee Miller, the dance moms and their daughters as the competition season begins and they travel from Pittsburgh to Phoenix. 

The episode was rated 7.52 from 310 votes.

Dance Moms - S1E2

#9 - Wildly Inappropriate (Season 1 - Episode 2)

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The Dance Moms allow their girls to wear outfits at the competition that are revealing and the scandal threatens to bring down the house. Abby's attempt to turn up the competition heat blows the audience away with what some may call an inappropriate dance number. She hopes it will give them their next big win. But it could backfire.

The episode was rated 7.55 from 221 votes.

Dance Moms - S1E4

#8 - Stealing the Show (Season 1 - Episode 4)

In the episode "Stealing the Show" of Dance Moms, Abby assigns each girl a solo dance for their next competition. However, she gives two solos to her star dancer, Maddie, giving her an advantage over the others. This causes Christi to lash out at Abby in an uncontrollable fury. Props to the speaker guy for trying to make Paige feel somewhat comfortable.

Maddie has been Abby's star dancer for some time, and it's not surprising that she received two solos for the upcoming competition. However, it doesn't sit right with the other girls, particularly Christi, who has seen this pattern too many times. When Christi confronts Abby, her fury is uncontrollable. While the other girls may be disappointed, the speaker guy steps in to try and make Paige feel more comfortable with the situation. He is praised for his efforts.

The episode was rated 7.62 from 183 votes.

Dance Moms - S1E6

#7 - Dying to Dance (Season 1 - Episode 6)

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In this episode of Dance Moms, Christi is presented with a difficult decision. On the way to a big dance competition, she finds out that her grandmother has been admitted to a hospital. She must choose whether to go to the competition or stay with her grandmother.

Christi is faced with a tough decision. She loves her grandmother and wants to stay by her side, but she also knows that the competition is important for her daughter and her studio. The stakes are high and Christi must make a difficult decision between her grandmother and her daughter's future.

This episode of Dance Moms explores the difficult choices that Christi must make. It also highlights the importance of family and the difficulty of having to choose between competing priorities. It is a powerful episode that resonates with viewers as it explores the difficulty of making difficult decisions.

The episode was rated 7.63 from 142 votes.

Dance Moms - S1E10

#6 - Cathy Brings It On! (Season 1 - Episode 10)

In this week's episode of Dance Moms, titled "Cathy Brings It On!", Cathy's dancers arrive to go head to head against Abby's dancers. Kelly secretly hires choreographers to give Brooke and Paige an edge in the competition. This episode promises to be an exciting showdown between the two sides, and viewers are eagerly anticipating the outcome.

The episode starts out with Cathy's dancers arriving and Kelly's secret plan being revealed. Brooke and Paige's parents are shocked, but also excited to see what the extra help will do for their daughters. Meanwhile, Abby's team is shaken by the unexpected arrival of the competition, but they remain determined to do their best. As the competition starts, the tension in the studio is palpable and everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting to see who will come out on top. Tune in to find out who wins in this exciting episode of Dance Moms!

The episode was rated 7.64 from 109 votes.

Dance Moms - S1E9

#5 - From Ballerinas to Showgirls (Season 1 - Episode 9)

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In the episode "From Ballerinas to Showgirls" of Dance Moms, Chloe finds herself at the top of Abby's pyramid, while Cathy prepares her dancers to compete against Abby's dancers. The episode is full of drama and tension, as the girls compete against each other for Abby's approval.

In this episode, viewers are proud of Brooke, one of the dancers, for being so brave. She puts in a lot of hard work and dedication, regardless of the outcome. Her bravery is admirable and is an inspiring example for all the viewers.

The episode was rated 7.67 from 113 votes.

Dance Moms - S1E12

#4 - There's Only One Star (Season 1 - Episode 12)

In the episode "There's Only One Star" of Dance Moms, Abby brings everyone back to Los Angeles for a music video audition. The girls compete to be the lead of the video and Chloe ends up getting the part.

Chloe's friends and fans are thrilled that she was cast as the lead in the video. She has worked hard and has been a dedicated dancer for years, so it's great to see that she's finally getting the recognition she deserves. Everyone is proud of her and excited to see the final product.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 109 votes.

Dance Moms - S1E3

#3 - Cheerleader Blues (Season 1 - Episode 3)

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The episode "Cheerleader Blues" of Dance Moms starts off with the dance moms needing to win the week’s competition to stay in the game. Things become complicated when Mom Kelly’s daughter, who is an active dancer, injures her hip and desires to become a cheerleader instead. Kelly is determined to keep her daughter in dance, going so far as to push her daughter to keep dancing even when it may lead to permanent injuries.

The episode follows the conflict between Mom Kelly trying to convince her daughter to stay in dance, and her daughter’s desire to pursue cheerleading. This episode highlights the difficulty in balancing a parent’s desire to push their child to succeed in a certain field and their child’s own desires. It also shows the consequences of pushing too hard, as Kelly’s daughter’s injury could potentially become worse if she continues to dance.

The episode was rated 7.72 from 197 votes.

Dance Moms - S1E8

#2 - Love on the Dance Floor (Season 1 - Episode 8)

In this episode of Dance Moms, Abby takes on the role of matchmaker to help Brooke find love on the dance floor. Brooke is partnered up with a dance partner for a duet, and Abby is determined to help the two get along and find a connection. Brooke is a bit reluctant at first, but eventually warms up to her partner and they are able to create a beautiful chemistry on the dance floor.

The episode follows the couple as they practice and learn the choreography, with Abby watching on with a critical eye. The duet is a big success and Brooke finds herself feeling a strong connection with her partner. As the episode progresses, we see the couple become closer and more comfortable with each other, and their chemistry continues to grow. By the end of the episode, it looks like Brooke has finally found someone special on the dance floor.

The episode was rated 7.87 from 132 votes.

Dance Moms - S1E7

#1 - She's a Fighter (Season 1 - Episode 7)

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Dance Moms episode "She's a Fighter" follows the Abby Lee Dance Company as minister Dawn returns and Abby prepares for any potential arguments. The episode centers around Abby's typecasting of Nia, which causes Holly to become frustrated.

Nia is a passionate dancer and Holly wants her to be given the opportunity to explore different styles of dance. However, Abby prefers to typecast Nia and assign her the same style of dance for each routine. This typecasting is causing Holly to become increasingly frustrated with Abby's lack of willingness to let Nia explore different genres of dance.

The episode was rated 7.91 from 126 votes.

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