The WORST episodes of Dance Moms

Every episode of Dance Moms ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Dance Moms!

Set in Pittsburgh, Dance Moms follows the Abby Lee Dance Company's Junior Elite Competition Team of young girls aged 11–14 years old as they travel week-to-week to various dance competitions, winning awards and hoping for an invitation to one of the National Competitions. Much of the program depicts the doting mothers as rivals not only of each other but as a group to protect the reputation of the team. All performances are choreographed by Miller and her staff, with the exception of a few guest choreographers. Later in the program, rival dance teams are introduced that spur the team's competitiveness. In season 5, Miller brings the team to Los Angeles to help build her repertoire. Every week on the show, Miller uses a pyramid to present who she feels performed the best in her eyes based on behavior, previous performance and who needs to improve.

Last Updated: 1/29/2024Network: LifetimeStatus: Ended
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Abby's Top Ten Dances
star
6.44
9 votes

#1 - Abby's Top Ten Dances

Season 4 - Episode 20 - Aired 6/24/2014

Abby Lee Miller opens up, dishing on her ten favorite group dances of all time. As she leads us through the countdown to number one, we'll get the inside story on how the dances came about, the drama behind the scenes, and see all new extended cuts of the all-time best "Dance Moms" dances.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Wingman Down
star
6.63
63 votes

#2 - Wingman Down

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/18/2014

With Kelly and her daughters no longer at the studio, a lonely Christi isolates herself from the other moms. Kira and her daughter Kalani are tested for a spot on Abby's competition team. Holly worries that Nia won't be prepared for her solo due to Abby's inattentiveness.

Watch Now:Apple TV
The Battle of Maddie vs. Chloe
star
6.67
15 votes

#3 - The Battle of Maddie vs. Chloe

Season 4 - Episode 19 - Aired 5/13/2014

The rivalry between Maddie and Chloe has boiled for four seasons and this episode of Dance Moms traces the very beginnings of it. Maddie and Chloe battled for first place in competitions, first position on the pyramid and ultimately, for a place in Abby's heart... But is the rivalry really between them...or between their mothers?

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When Stars Collide
star
6.73
164 votes

#4 - When Stars Collide

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/10/2011

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. 

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Reunion: Off the Dance Floor, Part 2
star
6.74
19 votes

#5 - Reunion: Off the Dance Floor, Part 2

Season 2 - Episode 28 - Aired 9/25/2012

After the most tumultuous dance competition season ever, Abby and the Dance Moms reunite on stage to set the record straight. Unfiltered and unleashed, everyone gets the chance to tell each other what they really think. May the best Dance Mom win. Part 2 of 2.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Playing Favorites
star
6.79
19 votes

#6 - Playing Favorites

Season 4 - Episode 32 - Aired 10/14/2014

The moms from both the Elite and Select Teams face off against Abby to hash out their grudges from this season and accuse her of blatant favoritism. Maddie takes the stage to talk about her recent success in Hollywood with the Sia video, the girls present new dances, and of course, Cathy makes an appearance to ruffle Abby's feathers.

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No Room for Rotten Apples
star
6.81
27 votes

#7 - No Room for Rotten Apples

Season 3 - Episode 25 - Aired 6/25/2013

The pressure is on for Candy Apple's team and no one's spot is guaranteed. Rick is worried when Jalen is assigned his first contemporary solo. Cathy battles it out with Anthony as she struggles to gain back control of her studio.

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The Dancing Dead
star
6.83
30 votes

#8 - The Dancing Dead

Season 3 - Episode 32 - Aired 8/6/2013

Abby receives the remains of her beloved dog, Broadway Baby; Kelly secretly meets with the mothers; Maddie's star continues to fall, while Nia's is on the rise.

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Diva Las Vegas
star
6.86
36 votes

#9 - Diva Las Vegas

Season 3 - Episode 35 - Aired 8/27/2013

After Abby leads her first pyramid in several weeks, her relationship with Kelly is pushed to new levels as Kelly feels her daughters are being treated unfairly. With Nationals only a week away, Abby must put her dancers to the test to determine who will get solos. Meanwhile, unwilling to work with Brooke and Paige, Abby brings in a new choreographer for them and this leads to a near meltdown.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Blame It on the New Girl
star
6.88
56 votes

#10 - Blame It on the New Girl

Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/11/2014

Abby's new completion team is taking shape and another new girl and dance mom tryout. Cathy readies her team to end the Abby Lee Dance Company's winning streak. Meanwhile Abby's girls dance at a nursing home to help cheer up her ailing mother.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Chatter, Part 1
star
6.89
9 votes

#11 - Chatter, Part 1

Season 3 - Episode 26 - Aired 7/2/2013

This week the all-new Dance Moms Chatter talk show welcomes special guests Dance Moms Christi, Kelly and Patsy, along with celebrity blogger Nadine Rajabi and comedian Lisa Arch. During the special the moms will mash up with the famous fans, discuss and dispel rumors and provide some snarky chatter about past events. Chatter specials will be interactive, fans can tweet along using #DanceMoms for a chance to see their posts live.

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Chloe vs. Kendall: Round 2
star
6.90
62 votes

#12 - Chloe vs. Kendall: Round 2

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/21/2014

Cathy's back and ready to beat Abby with a new team of boys. Abby is nervous and pushes her team, especially Chloe and Kendall, who are dancing solos head-to-head for the second time this season. With another round of open call auditions looming, every team member feels the pressure to prove to Abby that they belong at the Abby Lee Dance Company.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Mommy Meltdown
star
6.93
73 votes

#13 - Mommy Meltdown

Season 6 - Episode 26 - Aired 9/27/2016

Abby tasks the minis with their first lyrical routine to honor her mother on Mother's Day; the elites are tested when their mothers make a decision that leaves them without a group dance for the competition; the mothers give Abby an ultimatum.

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Lights! Camera! Dance!
star
6.93
46 votes

#14 - Lights! Camera! Dance!

Season 4 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/8/2014

Melissa takes control during Mackenzie's music video shoot, but the power quickly goes to her head. After racking up 13 wins in a row, the pressure is on the Abby Lee Dance Company to continue their stellar winning streak. All the dances this week are in tribute to Abby's ailing mother and emotions are high.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Recital Rebellion
star
6.94
32 votes

#15 - Recital Rebellion

Season 3 - Episode 30 - Aired 7/23/2013

This week is the ALDC recital. . The girls learn a new group dance entitled "Sugar Babies". Abby also throws in a photo shoot for Dance Track magazine. Paige gets assigned to new solo, while all the other girls get an old solo. Paige admits to Abby she doesn't want a new solo.

Watch Now:Apple TV
It All Ends Here
star
6.96
126 votes

#16 - It All Ends Here

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 9/28/2011

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. 

Watch Now:Apple TV
Abby's Replaceable
star
7.00
104 votes

#17 - Abby's Replaceable

Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/2/2016

Abby locks the team out of her Los Angeles studio; Debbie Allen invites the ALDC to work with her; guest choreographer Nakul includes the minis in a difficult Bollywood routine; Kalani and Nia are pushed to their breaking point with a duet.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Double the Moms, Double the Trouble
star
7.00
51 votes

#18 - Double the Moms, Double the Trouble

Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 7/29/2014

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.

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Big Trouble in the Big Apple
star
7.00
66 votes

#19 - Big Trouble in the Big Apple

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/11/2014

With her final open casting call in NY, Abby announces that she's putting together an entirely new all-star, junior elite team to rival her own girls. The Abby Lee Dance Company has two competitions this week and Paige has more dances than ever. Abby will do anything to win and makes a bold decision, leading to a clash with Dance Mom Kelly.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Dance Moms Down Under, Part 2
star
7.00
58 votes

#20 - Dance Moms Down Under, Part 2

Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/26/2015

The team is divided into two factions when Abby excludes Nia and JoJo from the rest of the planned events in Australia; Kendall, Kalani, Maddie and Mackenzie must learn a new routine to perform at a private fan event.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Clash of the Chloes
star
7.00
64 votes

#21 - Clash of the Chloes

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/4/2014

The moms are shocked when Abby brings a new dancer named Chloe in for a trial run on the competition team. Christi's concerned Abby will replace her daughter as the two Chloes go head-to-head. While Holly and Jill are excited about their daughters' duet, Abby's more excited about rehearsing the new Chloe. And for the first time, Melissa feels her girls are being overshadowed.

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Nia & Kendall Face Off
star
7.01
81 votes

#22 - Nia & Kendall Face Off

Season 6 - Episode 24 - Aired 9/13/2016

Abby challenges Nia and Kendall with tough trios; the group tribute to Madonna leaves the mothers wanting more; Holly suspects Abby has a hidden agenda for Nia and brings in Nia's manager to investigate; Abby abandons the team.

Watch Now:Apple TV
The Beginning of the End
star
7.01
74 votes

#23 - The Beginning of the End

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/1/2013

The new competition season is underway, but Abby is extremely disappointed in the girls because they blew off dance class during the break. So, Abby holds an open audition to bring new blood to the team hoping to replace Brooke and Paige and teach the girls a lesson. To everyone's dismay, Abby welcomes new dancer Ally and new mom Shelly to the group. The whole team misses Kelly, Brooke and Paige, but they soldier on to compete at In10sity Dance in Denver. Abby also pits Chloe and Maddie head-to-head, putting a lot of pressure on Chloe who just beat Maddie out of a national title.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Wildly Inappropriate
star
7.01
218 votes

#24 - Wildly Inappropriate

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/20/2011

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.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Liar, Liar, Dance Mom on Fire!
star
7.01
72 votes

#25 - Liar, Liar, Dance Mom on Fire!

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/22/2013

Abby couldn't be more thrilled to have a new star on team, but Melissa is starting to feel like Sophia is pushing Maddie out of the spotlight and into the corner. When Abby assigns Maddie and Kendall a duet, Melissa pretends to be happy about it but confides in Abby the awful truth. Jill, Christi, Kelly and Holly band together and try to get Melissa to admit her deceit. Meanwhile, Abby once again bans Brooke from the competition but gives Paige a solo so she can try to justify her spot on the team.

Watch Now:Apple TV