As a former ardent fan who watched Dance Moms since its debut in 2011, I can’t help but feel like I’ve grown out of this show. Back then, with my own athletic background still fresh in mind, the drama was thrilling and entertaining, much like watching a train wreck. But now that my daughters are around the same age as the dancers on Dance Moms: A New Era, it hits way too close to home.
The resurgence of “Dance Moms” is now gracing Hulu’s lineup, a show that, since Abby Lee Miller first appeared in 2011, has always been meant to stir controversy. If the dance instructor wasn’t arguing with someone, it was the moms who were doing so. It was just endless squabbling, complaining, and yelling, and I couldn’t get enough of it!
13 years, a jail term, some legal disputes later, Miller’s ALDC no longer exists, replaced by Studio Bleu on Hulu’s Dance Moms: A New Era. However, at this point in my life, I don’t believe that program resonates with me as it once did.
In the new season of “Dance Moms: A New Era,” while some aspects may be fresh and updated, fans familiar with the original will recognize the routine. Glo Hampton now runs Studio Bleu in Virginia, where she’s put together a junior elite team that practices new routines weekly for competitions. The pyramid is back, as are squabbles over solos, and the mothers are just as involved. Although some elements have been softened due to our current world being different from 2011, not much separates Coach Glo’s series from Abby Lee Miller’s. So what’s new? Me. I’ve evolved.
With Daughters The Same Age As These Dancers, I Am No Longer Entertained By Dance Moms
13 years ago, I had recently become a mother, and today, my daughters are roughly the same age as Audrey, Mina, and the other cast members of “Dance Moms: A New Era.” At that time, my own experiences with athletics were still quite vivid – the intense coaches, the competitive parents, even a teacher being arrested for shouting at the referees (or was this just a regular occurrence in every school?).
Nowadays, I find myself unable to endure such situations any longer. It seems that my perspective has shifted, and when I saw the revamped show slotted in the 2024 TV lineup, it filled me with sadness for the young dancers. They ridiculed poor Ashlan and mocked her tears as she struggled to dance freely. To be clear, everyone parents differently, and I won’t pass judgment on another parent’s decisions; I’m simply no longer amused by the direction these families have chosen in their entertainment.
Out of the four episodes I viewed (it’s possible to stream all 10 episodes of Dance Moms: A New Era with a Hulu subscription), Episode 2 seemed quite promising as it delved into one mother-daughter pair’s grief, using group dance choreography as part of the exploration. Regrettably, by Episode 4, we were once again witnessing the women hurling insults at each other and even physical fights.
Reflecting on my own experiences over the past decade or so, it seems that the younger generations of women are indeed being taught to embrace unity rather than competition. I’ve seen this in various aspects of my life – from friendships and work environments to community initiatives. It’s a refreshing change from the past, and it’s heartening to see women supporting each other more openly. This shift towards camaraderie is not only empowering for individual women but also for society as a whole. I must admit, my playlists have included quite a few Taylor Swift songs lately, but I believe this message of unity resonates with many beyond her music.
Glo Hampton Is An Upgrade From Abby Lee Miller
Among the noticeable enhancements I’ve observed in “Dance Moms: A New Era,” one standout for me has been the addition of Glo Hampton. Unlike the harrowing tales shared by JoJo Siwa, Nia Sioux, and other former students at the ALDC, Glo’s approach seems to be a refreshing departure from those past experiences.
It was nice to observe the coach admit fault for the team’s subpar performance in the premiere instead of blaming Audrey, who, by the way, is the new-age equivalent of Maddie Ziegler. Furthermore, I found it commendable when Hampton told a student that it’s acceptable to make mistakes, but not to give up on trying.
From my perspective as a parent, while Glo Hampton may have more positive qualities than Abby Lee Miller, their less-than-ideal behavior from the moms continues to be a significant factor that I can’t overlook. That said, I wholeheartedly suggest fans of the original Lifetime series give Dance Moms: A New Era a try and form their own opinions. The first season with its 10 episodes is now streaming on Hulu, one of the top choices for subscription-based streaming services.
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2024-08-19 16:07