the dance moms reunion was interesting.. (a review)

[@a.b.5473]

I wish they also addressed how Jojo went after Brooke on social media for not fucking with Abby either, which is so typical of her and how she likes to invalidate other's experiences due to her egotistic nature.

[@JuliaBoateng]

That’s so true. I thought they were going to address that since Brooke alluded to it in the beginning 💀

[@alysongroves3063]

She thinks the world revolves around her

[@pbc7995]

The Nia erasure is so true! You'd never know she was the longest lasting member if you just watched the reunion. She def made the right call in not going.

[@tinaamariee832]

One thing Holly & Nia gon do is make the best decisions for NIA the person over NIA THE PERSONA & I love them for that👏🏽❤

[@Beyonces4thchild]

@@tinaamariee832idk about that. I don’t hate holly, but after a certain point, staying on the show wasn’t worth it for Nia. Nia is painted as such a “strong person”, which is true, but only because her mother kept her in a mentally harmful environment where you HAD to keep your guard up. Holly knowingly kept her own daughter in a racist, mentally taxing environment for the fame and money. She is just as bad as the rest of the mothers, she just knows how to manipulate the system more. She was painted as such this path paver, when we all knew she’d never change Abby or the way Abby thought about her other black students.

[@sierra3850]

i don’t like how kalani and jojo act like they were supposed to be invited to paige’s party when they didn’t really get to know the hylands since they left before kalani and jojo were official members of the team. the party was clearly for the girls they grew up with

[@JuliaBoateng]

Yup that’s what I said, it felt more like an old friend’s get together, and it was said that Nia planned it!

[@heatherwilson8616]

Yes thank you!! Like it's ok to be disappointed that you weren't there but i hope they understand why and what it was for

[@jyslog]

exactly like why would you go to a birthday party for someone you haven’t met or even known for a minute? cause in the show Chloe said that they all met jojo and kalani that day for the first time 😭

[@chalkandcheese1868]

​@@jyslogChloe has known Kalani for years

[@jyslog]

@@chalkandcheese1868 sorry i meant chloe just met jojo for the first time but my point still stands because why would you go to a party you haven't met the person yet?

[@maplemaple626]

One thing about the reunion that bothered me was that it felt like I was watching a clip show. I don't want to see flashback clips I have already seen and have access to see on youtube. I wanted 1 hour of the girls just talking, not constant replays of old clips.

[@JuliaBoateng]

yeah! That’s what a lot of the BTS clips were. I feel like there were different issues and topics they could’ve discussed in their main convo that they wasted on BTS clips 😐

[@thethingcalledlisa]

Honestly I think a lot of the time they should've just showed the not so important scenes in the corner without sound so you get reminded of it without having the clips in forefront

[@yaitsasha]

exactly. felt like the same old over produced clip shows … hated it and wish they didn’t even do it tbh

[@Rainbow_Warrior_Princess]

@@JuliaBoateng The whole reunion show (1 hour 40 minutes) already is available on the 'Dance Moms' youtube account since over a week called 'Dance Moms The Reunion Digital Exclusive'.

[@susanmartin3762]

I could NOT agree more. KZbin had already DROWNED US with 1,000,000 clips from EVERY EPISODE FROM DAY ONE! I wanted to just hear about them.

[@DefineImaginary]

Jojo is literally the queen of "if it didn't happen to me, it didn't happen." 🙄 There is literally tons of footage of Gia not being the nicest and Christie is more than allowed to voice her opinion about how she was treated. Just because their experience of Gia was different doesn't mean it wasn't real, just like Jojo likes to spout when she defends Abby.

[@awhimsyreader9015]

I was so grossed out when she accused Colleen Ballinger's victims of lying about being groomed like Jojo is literally an adult she's old enough to know saying shit like this isn't ok, yet she just feels the need to speak over and invalidate other people's experiences

[@maggierappa417]

And the way Jojo was talking about what Christi said you’d think Christ went on a whole rant, when all she really did was make a little comment about Gia not being nice

[@sagegalloway5407]

Doesn't surprise me since her own dancers have came out against her, Jojo is no better than Abby

[@marinaluna3252]

it's crazy how the producers were constantly asking about Maddie and mentioning her but never mentioned or showed Nia or kenzie

[@Kacey-Leigh]

I don’t understand why Kendall and Kira were bashing the girls that didn’t come. These girls were literally abused (racially, emotionally) on the show that has affected them after the show. You can understand why they didn’t want to come.

[@JuliaBoateng]

Kendall should’ve just sat the party out in my opinion if she felt so weird about it. I’m sure she he had weeks to decline if she wanted to

[@Jo.j.13-l9v]

I could imagine that those girls still feel like they are in battle Mode. A lot of the show is about "getting troigh pain and thozghinibg up" and so to them its like "what you can't even stand reliving your trauma with the rest of us?" Epsiecally with maddie being the most sucsessfull out of them I can omagine that it feels frutstrating when youve been thought that you need to give everything to sucseed havibg someone sucseed and them decided not to do that

[@black.crystal.ballll]

This may be a hot take, but it irks me when people go after them for "not being grateful," i hate that people expect them to be grateful and lavishing abby and lifetime with praise for getting them where they are. Like i know being on dance moms gave them a lot of opportunities and really helped them succeed in the industry now, but it also ruined their childhoods and a majority of their adolescence. I personally wouldn't be very grateful to a show that essentially abused me since primary school age right up until it ended/i left after getting fed up. Expecting them to feel positivly, let alone thankful to the show is just kind of messed up imo.

[@JuliaBoateng]

don’t feel like it’s a hot take! A very reasonable one, and it’s sad that people don’t get this. At the end of the day Abby provided them a service, and that was to teach dance. Nothing more, nothing less. They’ve done enough!

[@karissaslife6950]

I agree 100%

[@goose2888]

I feel like this is a super reasonable and valid take, I wouldn't consider it a hot take! These women don't owe anyone anything, it's so disgusting and exploitative of the producers and anyone who has that mindset of "they should be grateful blah blah blah" like..........no, they shouldn't be grateful for the abuse and trauma they went through just bc it gave them some fame, gross.

[@abcdef-ry9hx]

@@goose2888 Unfortunately it IS a hot take, I’ve seen so many people have the sentiment of “Well they ended up rich and famous, who cares if their dance teacher was mean” and they don’t recognize that was they experienced was actual abuse. The amount of comments I’ve seen on social media praising Abby and tearing down the girls makes me feel crazy.

[@LivTheSlayer]

I think people forget just because Maddie was the favorite doesn't mean she didn't experience any trauma from the show. Its very clear based on past interviews that having to be perfect all the time at such a young age got to her. Plus I'm sure it wasn't easy to have her friends pitted against her and for her name to be consistently at the center of drama. I don't blame her (or anyone) for not wanting to go back and revisit that environment. Sure she wasn't treated like Chloe and Paige were, but that doesn't mean her pain isn't valid too or that she doesn't deserve to distance herself from her trauma

[@MayaJohnson_17]

Agree

[@Peoplecanhaveopinions]

Exactly, and it makes me so angry that people can't recognize that you can still get mistreated and ab*sed while still being the "favorite".

[@dariadavies256]

Completely agree! That poor girl had so much pressure put on her at such a young age! Just because she was the “favourite” doesn’t mean she didn’t have any trauma from being on the show and I think people forget that Kenzie and Maddie had to be on the show while their parents were divorcing too which must have been so difficult.

[@megshep]

Maddie also went on to be groomed by Sia. She's got a lot of stuff to work through

[@shimmershine6902]

Especially since they all hung out AFTER the show. They went out for dinner and drinks. Jojo was doing entirely too much

[@zimmylooms1802]

Jojo came out and said Kenzie was her least favorite ☠️ all jojo does is invalidate them and called them ungrateful

[@suzanking5625]

I absolutely LOVED what Jojo said to Paige. Paige needed to hear that people did not judge her harshly for forgetting choreography. Jojo told her she was a girl that people rooted for and identified with. That really helped Paige feel better.

[@pavtsan]

now you are straight up taking things out of context she was asked on an interview who is her least favorite cast member and she said kenzie because kenzie has reposted videos making fun of her and liked comments that are making fun of her.

[@suzanking5625]

@@pavtsan Perhaps that's because Kenzie can only Fantasize about the kind of success Jojo has earned.

[@pavtsan]

@@suzanking5625 maybe maybe not

[@maleab8843]

Narcs looove to use “ungrateful” as a weapon it’s gross

[@princess_ama]

I think another reason why Kelly’s fight with Abby caused her so much pain is because Kelly has literally known Abby since she (Kelly) was 2 years old. Kelly and her daughters have basically known Abby for their entire lives, and that one moment changed everything.

[@maggierappa417]

Kelly had every right to be so upset. You’d think knowing someone that long would warrant a little more respect from Abby. The way Abby treated Brooke because she was a teenager going through teenager emotions and Paige for just not being the best was atrocious

[@juliannenunez2519]

I think the girls need a reunion without the producers and just themselves. Also without Jojo because home girl is so out of touch with reality and really has no business being there. If anything they should have Asia or Peyton there.

[@JuliaBoateng]

Yeah they need their own platforms to discuss their truth! I fully agree

[@plaplaks]

They should do a reunion with literally just the OGs. That means no Jojo, No kalani, no Kendall.

[@wyatt778]

Jojo is only there so it gets more attention. Thats gotta be the only reason. Because besides Maddie, Jojo is the only other girl that REALLY made it big after Dance Moms. Jojo’s not even an og, she showed up in season FOUR (meaning her mom knew what she was signing jojo up for) and was there for two seasons before she left. Definitely need a reunion with ONLY ogs and not messy ass producers who want Dance Moms 2

[@Kitty-t7h]

​@@wyatt778 people also forget that jojo and kawaii willingly went on the show after seeing all the drama and abuse.Its mental how they disregard the others trauma.

[@victoriarose1309]

@@Kitty-t7hI don’t think Kalani and jojo can be blamed for that at all. They were children - it’s Jess and Kira who are at fault for that

[@alwaysrootingfortheantihero123]

The hylands have known Abby for generations. Kelly’s dad knew Abby so that means that Paige and Brooke were the third generation of the hylands being friends with Abby.

[@maggiedietrich7858]

I just wish that they could stop continuing false narratives we know to be fake. I want a reunion where they talk about how producers influenced them (which is kinda Because Mom Said So) but more about the girls. I agree a lot w what others have said about it being stupid for them to replay old clips we've all seen a 100 times and instead use that time to have larger discussions

[@JuliaBoateng]

yeah! Just like when they spoke on Chloe’s eye. I mean what a slap in the face to play the edited clip for her to watch. I like the girls and all but I really wish they hadn’t participated in this garbage

[@_jmoon_]

christi and kelly do this in their podcast back to the barre- especially in terms of talking ab the producers. but i agree i wanted to hear more from the girls povs

[@jannapatty2958]

the thing about “maddies” party was that it was PAIGE’S surprise party. she didnt even know kalani and jojo so why would they go to her birthday party????

[@audreyflores1636]

facts i 100% agree

[@moren321]

I never even realized that. That makes the whole convo that they had at the start of the reunion acc feel so much more out of touch, bc why would Kalani and Jojo feel some type of way about not going to a party for someone they barely know. Like you aren’t entitled to an invite to a seemingly intimate birthday party for someone you don’t know just bc you know some of those in attendance.

[@xixislibrary164]

That Bryan guy is the main fucking villain in all of this

[@andiprice8592]

Abby literally calls him satan🤣

[@reviewswithtamia]

Exactly and notice how he escaped with no one questioning him or his actions.

[@JuliaBoateng]

Always has been, always will be 😩

[@dariadavies256]

@@andiprice8592lmfao that gets me everytime 🤣🤣

[@hannahgebbia2961]

@@andiprice8592if abby’s calling someone satan you know it’s bad

[@lindseyb59]

I also feel like the Paige’s birthday thing was a way for Maddie, Kenzie and Nia to see the other girls because they wouldn’t be at the reunion. All of their old friends would be in town at the same time, it makes sense they would want to see them. I can see both sides of it being a nice gesture but also of it being a little calculated

[@sunnylemon5626]

That’s what I was thinking. Yes it looks good for them to be together before the reunion, but I really think it was because they were all there at the same time because they always talk about how someone is missing.

[@oliviabrandi5347]

Kelly dropped so many bombs that never went off. The bit about how she got divorced because of Dance Moms, when she said “if I had followed Melissa instead of Christi my life would be better” ???😱😱😱 and none of it was explored. It was dropped instantly and never brought up again

[@prettypatrece]

Kelly didn’t look at the big picture. She was a favorite because she wasn’t like Melissa. Christi said it right she wish she had done some things differently and I agree because sticking up for what’s right and being a team player is best.

[@suzanking5625]

Kelly Hyland behaved like a scum bucket. Her can would have hit the pavement HARD the very first time she called me a, 'whore' . I will say that both her daughters seem genuinely wonderful - which isn't coaching, but character. She clearly did many things right .

[@noortje5760]

It stunned me! Kelly was still, I wouldn't say blaming but looking at Kira's direction in the situation with the fight while Kira had a point Melissa knew exactly what was going on!! it was Melissa's and abby's doing tbh

[@suzanking5625]

@@noortje5760 Melissa knew what was going on and what was likely to happen.Also, Christi was telling the truth about Maddie having lied to Chloe's face. Maddie knew that she and Kalani WERE performing that duet.

[@noortje5760]

@@suzanking5625 yes that's what I'm saying it really is sad

[@danielaortega7143]

No cause seriously I was so proud of Chloe that she does not credit Abby for her success saying that her success is in spite of Abby honestly I know JoJo really hates Chloe probably but JoJo can never be the woman Chloe is

[@kaceimp]

The worst part was Brian calling out Christi’s reaction to Chloé coming out with her girlfriend at the time. It made me feel gross watching that part.

[@kyliesmith7903]

JoJo seriously got on my nerves so badly this reunion. I feel like she's a HUGE narcissist. Like you said she literally thinks the whole entire world revolves around her. The whole Christi and JoJo situation she just involves herself in situations that have nothing to do with her. Whatever she feels or what she's experienced is more valid an over rides anybody else that has a different opinion. She was on the show for a season and a half if that I just don't understand why she was invited. I also felt like it was a little odd how kahlani and JoJo were extremely close on this reunion I think its because JoJo was the only one outta all the girls that she could lean on.

[@starburstzz]

Kalani and Jojo were apparently always close. They shared an apartment together when they were both on AUDC.

[@gloreeuhh-]

Bro- seeing you type that Jo Jo was a narcissist- truly opened my eyes to understand what one truly is

[@ashleysummers8338]

From what I understand JoJo and Kahlani are dating which is why they are so close.

[@wyatt778]

At this point Jojo should change her name to Jojo Lee Miller. Especially after that whole Xomg Pop drama

[@RockyMountainHoosier]

Bryan Stinson was stirring the pot so badly and it's annoying - I feel like he was trying to cause all the drama.

[@tp6945]

who’s that

[@boxypix3207]

@@tp6945creator and executive producer of dance moms

[@JuliaBoateng]

fr! He doesn’t care at all, he just wants to line his pockets

[@kirischneideman]

@@tp6945 he was the main producer of dance moms so he basically controlled the narratives for the most part

[@welpyo9762]

@@tp6945 i think he is one of the main producers of dance moms

[@iamkelsyk9455]

My thing is, Why would Maddie invite Jojo and Kalani when they weren’t really in the same seasons. Also, I feel like after all these years, Christie needs to get over this beef with Melissa, she’s starting to look obsessed.

[@JuliaBoateng]

Yeah. I also think Melissa’s hands aren’t clean either, she’s just more covert about it. Christi being louder makes her appear more unstable, but I believe they both need major therapy . Melissa’s actions on the show and right after it were just too slimy. She also has hardly addressed her behavior on the show which could be another reason why Christi is so off the cuff all the time. Who knowssss 🤷🏿‍♀️

[@amberclarke6315]

​@@JuliaBoatengno yall paint christi as a victim when in reality she wasn't she is and was 1000× worse than mellisa will ever be

[@zoe9429]

Agreed, I love Chloé and think she’s very kind and respectful,, I don’t feel the same about her mom. Christie is not beating those jealous allegations, the way she speaks about Melissa. Melissa and her girls are trying to protect their peace and grow after the show.

[@rick6386]

I agree that she needs to move on. I do not think her feelings toward Melissa are unfounded; however, she does need to stop beating a dead horse. Like we get it, she's fake.

[@Pinkclouds512]

@@amberclarke6315 Melissa was awful, sneaky and neglectful to her children. Other dance moms outside of the show have criticized Christi for her mouth, but other moms have criticized Melissa for her actions.

[@daelclapperton8990]

Nia is also the only person on the show who was on every single original season (1-7) which is literally only a perspective she has and would have been able to comment on.

[@Chris-ho9cm]

I hear you about Holly prioritising not being run out vs choosing to leave for the sake of Nia’s mental health. I do get the feeling though that she would always give Nia a choice though, and give Nia the final decision. We can all say she should’ve just payed down her stance and pulled her out of the show but if Nia didn’t want to leave the friends she had for yeeeeears and years I don’t think we can fault holly on that. She’s helped Nia become an adult who says “no” to opportunities with no guilt so I think the final outcome was suitable for her

[@JuliaBoateng]

I still think at the end of the day as an adult you have the right to override what your child wants at specific times bc they may not know what’s best for themselves at that particular moment. I do respect Holly listening to Nia and allowing her to develop a strong voice and courageous character though. I just wish that there was another avenue for Nia back then.

[@colette5413]

I think as a parent your job is to aide your children with the tools they will need to be able to overcome adversity. However if your child is in an environment where their instructor is making racial comments about their physical appearance (“fix this hair because it’s awful”) and giving them caricature-like pieces that center around stereotypes (mind you, this is edited footage that we saw, the cast claims she was much worse off camera) it’s your responsibility to pull your child from that environment.

[@supersomico]

I’m really happy you addressed this, I hate how people acted nasty towards the girls who decided not to attend the reunion and I hated how some of the girls & moms invalidated some of the other girls feelings especially JoJo I feel like she loved to invalidate others :(

[@JuliaBoateng]

For sure.. it’s quite sad bc it feels like 20 years will go by and it’ll be the same narrative

[@clashoftash3691]

i wanted the real tea. they all acted like the competition was real and that cathy was truly an enemy when it was debunked so many times

[@MasterMoon07]

Bryan Stinson is a very calculated and strange man he likes to claim he cares about the girls but honestly that whole reunion was very distasteful. Certain stuff had no reason being brought up and also I don't know if it's just me but something about the reunion felt so disorganised like he was trying to just get as much drama as possible instead of actually talking about things

[@karissaslife6950]

Exactly. He’s the real problem

[@reviewswithtamia]

He is trying to gauge interest because he wants to bring dance moms back for another season (maybe with Abby maybe not). He talked about with Abby on her not accountable podcast. So in my eyes, I feel that he is trying to figure out what made Dance Moms work to catch lighting on a bottle. Which I doubt will work because season 8 wasn’t as successful even when the cast knew what they signed up for.

[@yaitsasha]

yea! he jumped from subject to subject constantly. like randomly bringing up kalani having suicidal thoughts felt so weird to talk about

[@annad_d]

Kelly is also a very forgiving and genuine person , so that's probably another reason y she said she would forgive Abby if she apologized. Honestly that is something I find admirable about Kelly, shes a very genuine person

[@JuliaBoateng]

yes for sure! she’s not perfect but she’s introspective and heartfelt!

[@sarahthomas8670]

It’s very understandable why nia didn’t come. Racism is huge deal and she must of struggle so much tk handling at that age . It must be so stressful

[@sachamoses9233]

I think jojo invalidates everyones feeling because she's grown up with everyone invalidating hers, if you think about shes: . Had her mom automatically put her in stardom . Being made fun of since a child . Being left out alot So because no tends to empathise with her she doesn't know how to for others, to her that's just life. (this isn't an excuse for any of her wrong actions)

[@TheMentalLevelUpPodcast]

Good point. Some of us have been in that mindset and you quickly lose empathy for others, especially ones who are seen as more privileged. With that frame of thinking, I am not at all surprised that she came for Maddie & Kenzie, since Maddie was more favored and Kenzie has close proximity to her, but Nia was always kind to jojo and even had her in her concert in Austrailia. Jojo & kendall's closed-minded meangirl shade is not a shock, but a disappointment. Now those 3 absent ladies DEFINITELY have a reason not to be at future reunions.

[@wyatt778]

On top of that, she was hanging around three people that all got exposed as child predators (Shane Dawson, Colleen Ballinger, and James Charles. Especially Colleen). So she grew up thinking the way Abby treated kids was normal. It’s kinda sad if you think about it, especially because Xomg Pop is just Jojo (and Jess) repeating the cycle

[@islaie]

I watched dance moms in real time when it first came out (I was 16 at the time) and I remember one of the first things that started turning me off of it was when they used Abby’s mother dying AS A STORYLINE. Even teenage me was like “this is fucked and I’m legitimately uncomfortable watching this rn”. I had that same feeling when they played Abby’s cancer footage for the girls. Lifetime has learned nothing

[@JuliaBoateng]

Yeah… which is why I really question why those girls agreed to this. They should’ve just done it on their own!

[@dabisbestie]

Yeah, it just seemed like they were trying to garner sympathy for Abby....

[@kenzielater1378]

It was really weird to me the hate against Melissa, Maddie, and Kenzie was weird because it seems like the girls hang out together all the time. On social media it seems like they’re still friends

[@mojovr5003]

I feel like you're a very reasonable person, and you were able to talk about complex themes in such an elegant way, which i really admire!

[@lindsey995]

part of me also wonders if Bryan and Camryn were invited with them also being on the show. but omg Jojo was annoying me during this reunion so much

[@JuliaBoateng]

Brynn and Camryn weren’t!

[@maggiedietrich7858]

Kalani said that Brynn wasn't invited. She didn't mention Camryn, but if Brynn (who was on for 2.5 seasons) wasn't invited it would surprise me if Camryn was

[@ziondeleya3992]

@@maggiedietrich7858 it weird because JoJo wasn’t even there for a full season

[@lindsey995]

@@maggiedietrich7858i’m surprised they weren’t. i mean Byrnn was there for awhile and Cam was there for a little bit too. Granted Cam wasn’t as there as long asg Brynn i feel like she could’ve easily have been invited

[@PG-jn3fp]

I would love to know how Brynn felt about addy trying to make her Maddie 2.0

[@emjayee]

Legally yes. They can have their own reunion they just would not be able to market it as a dance moms reunion, and they would not be able to show any footage. But there is no law stopping a group of girls getting together and discussing something that they all went through

[@megshep]

JoJo is still performing, guys. That's why she's so much. She's still in character and selling herself. The other girls have been allowed to grow into their own humans, but Jojo is still being used as a cash cow. "Sometimes growing up precocious means not growing up at all"

[@skvll.z]

This comment needs more recognition. TThiss is exactly right.

[@adams8830]

This. EXACTLY. Jojo is marketing herself through that reunion. I was annoyed with the things she said but I understand why she said it.

[@bobthebuilder3041]

Nahhh I think she just sucks. Like as a person 🧍‍♀️

[@Lex_1416]

I get tired of people who act like all the girls need to always show gratitude towards Abby or lifetime. They were exploited at the end of the day, had shitty contracts and were paid dust compared to what Abby and lifetime made.

[@colette5413]

the back to the barre podcast was more interesting to me than the reunion. i did not like the fact that they brought up chloe’s sexuality because that has nothing to do with dance moms. introducing that topic and then cutting to kelly backstage saying that christi wouldn’t want her to discuss that made it seem like they were trying to insinuate that christi was against chloe being in a lesbian relationship. i’m glad that chloe gave her perspective but i felt it was out of place and inappropriate. I’m frustrated that they cut so much out of the reunion in terms of the moms giving their opinions backstage. On the back to the barre after party video, Christi said that Jill has talked about the fact that Maddie stopped talking to Kendall after her departure for the show and how that deeply hurt Kendall. That, to me, explains why in the beginning Kendall said it was weird about being invited to Paige’s surprise party so I don’t blame her for feeling some type of way about it. It was interesting to hear Jess and Kyra speak so poorly of Melissa; Kira in particular became Melissa became Kalani’s legal guardian when Kira had her baby. On back to the barre, Kelly said she not only called Christi but she called Melissa too. Bryan said that Melissa initially said yes, but then backed out. I want to see what was left on the cutting room floor.

[@marinacastro8703]

Wow, the Maddie not talking to Kendall thing is very interesting, did Christi say anything else about that? It does explain some of the things she's said. I also found interesting what Jojo said about how there was a certain dynamic with the girls and specfically Maddie. To me it always seemed like Kalani and Kendall were always following Maddie

[@JuliaBoateng]

I definitely think that explains Kendall’s sentiments some more! Honestly though, I’ve said this in a few comments now but I wish Kendall had just not gone to the party if she felt that weird about it. It makes her look two faced to smile in their face one day and then the next call them out. Interesting that Kelly called Melissa as well!

[@colette5413]

Considering the fact that multiple cast members have alluded to Nia being the one who made the guest list, I’m wondering if she also reached out to contact everyone and invite them. Perhaps if Kendall’s invitation was delivered through Nia, she felt more comfortable attending as they are on speaking terms as far as we are aware. However I do agree, I don’t think I would’ve went if it were me just because I’d feel a little unsure about going to the house of someone who I used to have a close relationship with and for whatever reason, they cut communication with me. But then again, if all of your friends are going you wouldn’t want to feel left out and given the fact that they were going to film the reunion the next day, it’s just a time to celebrate with childhood friends.

[@colette5413]

Christi just said that it really hurt Jill to see Kendall pretty upset about the communication with Maddie ending. I will say, the show definitely pushed the narrative that Maddie and Kendall were best friends and while yes, people grow, friendships change over time and we don’t know what happened, I can definitely understand both sides. Kelly and Christi both said that so much was cut out from backstage and that a lot of it was badmouthing Melissa. Kelly said she was shocked at how much Jess and Kira don’t like Melissa because she never got to sit down and have a conversation with them before. Going back to the taking pictures thing, Christi said that Maddie and Mackenzie avoid talking to the girls because they don’t want to be posted on their social media. Christi said that it makes their girls feel like Maddie and Mackenzie think that they are too good to be seen publicly with the rest of their former teammates. While Kelly confirmed that yes, they don’t want to be posted on social media with them, she speculated that it’s not coming from the sisters themselves but from their management teams. That being said, that could possibly be a reason for why Maddie allegedly distanced herself from Kendall. If every time we hang out you want to snap a picture for social media and i’ve been instructed not to post that we’re hanging out, i could see why you would eventually stop hanging around that person. it’s just a theory but i do find it interesting because on the “Because Mom Said So” podcast, it’s very evident from their conversations that Holly and Melissa have a close friendship and so do Nia and Kenzie. On the show Holly was really friends with everyone but the show implied that Jill and Melissa were best friends. I think at some point their friendship turned kind of fizzled out after the Zieglers left the show.

[@reviewswithtamia]

@@colette5413For your theory, I also think Maddie and Kendall not being close had a lot to do with Maddie’s political standing vs Kendall’s. I don’t like to speak on people’s political standing because it’s their right to vote for who they want to represent them but I know a little while back Maddie was very liberal while Kendall leaned more towards conservative ideals. Now with Melissa and Holly, I think the political ideals are the same. Jill does vote republican (which is her right) but Melissa is more liberal (democratic) along with Holly so I can see where a rift would be created due to differing ideals and beliefs. I definitely think your theory has a lot of confirmed instances because Melissa even calls Holly her best friend and they are normally always together.

[@hopelyle2408]

Melissa to the mom of the girl dancing for her disabled brother: “I feel terrible that you have had this life.” Seriously?! Having a disabled child doesn’t equal a terrible life🤦‍♀️ My little girl is a wheelchair user with a trach and G tube and we adopted her. We CHOSE this life and we love it! I think that was extremely inappropriate of Melissa because I’m sure that mom loves her son just as much as any other child.

[@kaheivi]

that was such a sinister moment on her behalf. disabled people are capable of living joyously just like everyone else!

[@amberclarke6315]

It was infact it was disgusting I just hope she doesn't think like that anymore since it's been 8 years

[@meuforever123]

i always hated that, her worst moment

[@shimmershine6902]

Yeah it’s gross. I would get if it was a disability that causes financial troubles or extra stress from external factors like my brother’s, but even then it’s not the child’s fault.

[@elinorzollweg]

I thought that this reunion would feature a bunch of never before seen footage! That would’ve been awesome!!

[@karinasdreamworld]

Thank you for validating all of the girls and their decisions on whether to come or not. I totally understand why the Zieglers and Nia didn't want to come considering the edits they were given on the show and how produced the reunion ended up being. I would love to see them end up doing a reunion on their own so that they could cover everything they wanted to without it being manipulated, but without Lifetime, there would only be so much they could do production wise. I'd be down to just hear them talk, that is, if they want to. I agree with your comment about Paige's b-day too. She didn't know Kalani and JoJo the way she knew the OGs and Kendall (in fact she hadn't even met JoJo at all), so why would they be invited to her birthday party? Also noticed how JoJo was trying to play therapist in some parks, and it just gave me the ick. Even if she did have good intentions when she was talking towards Brooke and Paige, it wasn't her place to speak on it.

[@teeellecee]

As a dance mom from the late '90s through mid-2000s, I can tell you there's a lot of regret, sadness, and some shame in putting your child through a churn and burn competition studio. Many times I wanted to take her out, but she begged to stay and I conceded because at least her studio owner liked her. While my daughter still loves to dance and now part time teaches dance, discussing how different her childhood studio is to her current studio still guts me that I allowed my child to be treated so badly by other dancers and their moms. We have discussed all this many times, but I still get emotional about it. If I had all that out in public, I would cry my eyes out. What always amazed me about Dance Moms was at least the girls didn't treat each other like crap and mostly still keep in touch.

[@idkamy1]

the phone call to Christi pissed me off i think because she said Jojo was successful meaning she was a threat to Maddie and Kenzie. Like, is that not implying that Maddie and Kenzie are unsuccessful? After all these years, she's still coming after the kids 5:53

[@goose2888]

I loved this video, I agree with you that there were certain parts that felt really not appropriate (the cancer bits, chloes sexuality, etc). The only part I disagreed with was when you said that moms always instinctually want to comfort and care for their children. That's unfortunately not the case for many mothers, mine included, and Kira herself was verbally abusive towards Kehlani (I think I'm getting the names right lol). So for me, seeing Kehlani tell Kira "okay stop hugging me this is awkward" made total sense. It felt like Kira was trying to be performative. My own mother was exactly like that, screaming terrible things behind doors but then acting like the most angelic/loving/proud mother in front of others. I see right through Kira 🥴

[@zoe9429]

Yes, and her not telling her mom about her suicidal thoughts, raises red flags on Kira

[@goose2888]

@@zoe9429 totally agree. I had suicidal thoughts as a teenager that were really severe and my (abusive) father only found out once I was hospitalized, and even then he found out through my doctor and not from me. Parents should know those things about their children and it's a huge red flag when parents don't know anything about their child's mental health. (I understand there are definitely people out there who are in fact good parents and still aren't aware because maybe their child hides it well for whatever reason.)

[@cassideeznutz7]

It felt like JoJo was mansplaining the other girl's trauma. She kept to dumb down her stupid ass takes on Abby and the show like the other girls were toddlers. And everyone except khlani seemed so uncomfortable with JoJo

[@shimmershine6902]

Mansplaining 😭😭 (I agree though lol the way you said it made me laugh)

[@cassideeznutz7]

@@shimmershine6902 I know she's not a man but it gives off the same condescending vibes that men give when they do it

[@phoebebuffay1566]

I missed Nia so much, along with Chloe she was my fave. She is so mature and well-spoken too, I feel like she would have had some great insight. But I totally respect and understand her decision, she'll always be royalty to me, like her mom :) They could have done SO MUCH BETTER with this reunion: - First of all, they should have skipped Jojo (or at the very least not showed her as much). Just SO annoying. It's like she has arrested development and I honestly don't want to hear the opinion of a spoiled rich entitled toddler. - That Brian guy, f-him! He gives Nickelodeon vibes - gross! - I didn't care for all the clips, I would have much rather it have been a long convo between the girls and their moms! Wouldn't that have been way better?

[@toby5424]

christi and melissa always had a volatile relationship. we all know the issues they have/had with each other. so i thought the scene of christi bashing her was distasteful. hurts chloe and maddie at the end of the day.

[@urfavsh1teditor]

She honestly seems paranoid and a little crazy. I love her, but she really needs to get some more therapy. I get why she's paranoid, but she has to move on

[@allisoneuph1]

I wanted more of the OG! Jojo took up all the attention

[@lexibeee889]

She craves attention

[@RockyMountainHoosier]

There was also a nightline episode on dance moms about Dance Moms -- it's on Hulu, called Dance Moms behind the Curtain and while Abby doesn't come up any better she's on there being interviewed and there's other information.

[@happygolucky4429]

When did that air?

[@RockyMountainHoosier]

@happygolucky4429 same day or before I think. I found it when I was trying to find the reunions

[@JuliaBoateng]

Oh I heard about that! I think Abby got interviewed for it. It’s where she said she wish she wasn’t so harsh on some kids because those kids had no talent anyway 🙄

[@RockyMountainHoosier]

@@JuliaBoateng There were several others there which did balance it out.

[@alexandreanuwer5993]

I’ve been waiting for this, thank you!! And I love your whole look and the background here

[@ameliaairhead6617]

Yes! The pink chair with the flowers in the back - just *chef's kiss*

[@JuliaBoateng]

awww thanks, trying new things with my setup!! 🩷

[@starryths]

the part where kalani talked about her mental health story made me cry because i’ve been through that and i genuinely felt so bad for her because of her little breakdown. that part upset me so much i felt so bad for kalani, kalani is amazing for talking about that, that was honestly my favorite part of the reunion.

[@alchemicalnurturer]

I didn’t know it was possible to respect Kelly any more than I already had, but wow she is such a wonderful soul. God bless her and her beautiful children ❤️🙏🏼 Also Julia, you are a wonderful speaker! As a psychology major, I can tell you have done your due diligence in the field. Unbiased, concise, and compassionate, you are lovely to listen to 😊

[@niylane]

Though Maddie was a lot of the things that they said, “favorite, sore loser, suck up”, they have to also realized that she was a child. A child that was emotionally abused by Abby.

[@blackcurlmagicgrey-sloan8640]

Kendall and kira just mad cus they thought they’d be in maddies in circle after the show wrapped. All that butt kissing on TV for nothing lol

[@chalkandcheese1868]

TF are you talking about? Kira was busy raising her kids while Kendall finished school and is now in college.

[@heatherwilson8616]

@@chalkandcheese1868 yes!! those are accomplishments too, even if not in the entertainment industry

[@marinaluna3252]

Another thing that I do agree with you on is that Melissa was super manipulative however, hwo can you blame her for playing the game well? she protected her kids the best way she could (by being in abby's favor) and more than that her kids have some of the best careers alongside jojo (Except they can be taken seriously) and frankly Christi's continous attacks on Melissa, while sometimes warranted before, are getting tired now. Move on like everyone else Christi.

[@JuliaBoateng]

She may have played the game well- but at the expense of fracturing her friends’ trust. even she says that if she could do the show all over again she would’ve done things very differently. Also, Melissa is manipulative but not upfront. At least if she were honest and upfront about it I’d respect her more. However she always wanted to act like she was the sweetest person on the bench. At least own your mess, lol

[@marinaluna3252]

@@JuliaBoateng I do agree with those sentiments but i think by her last season she started to be more honest about it (and FINALLY defending kenzie) which is why i started to like her more. While on the friendship front I do agree to some extent, when she did put those friendship first her kids were punished BADLY. i will never forget when abby started playing the victim and emotionally manipulating Maddie when she simply listened to her mom and boycotted the aldc in the parking lot for the hylands. There are other examples as well of her kids being punished the few times she prioritized her friendships so i don’t really blame her for that.okay maybe not more honest but slightly more upfront i don’t know ahahah

[@amberclarke6315]

​@@JuliaBoatenggirl if yall wanna believe mellisas manipulative than you're gonna have a field day cause christi is 1000× worse

[@zoe9429]

Honestly true, I wasn’t a fan of Melissa’s chameleon behavior (appealing to whoever would benefit her/her kids) but I agree! I often wish Christi acted the same towards abby so Chloé be treated better. Instead abby became hellish towards her and her mother began taking her out of classes,.

[@JuliaBoateng]

@@amberclarke6315 how about they’re both terrible, why is one worse than the other. They’re two wings of the same bird in my opinion. Christi just barks, and Melissa is sneaky . At least Christi lets you know about her dirt 😂

[@princesscarolyn5716]

I’ve always given Kira the side eye 😒

[@prettypatrece]

Kalani knows Chloe very well. They have even vacationed together.

[@JuliaBoateng]

Yup the irreplaceables tour!

[@prettypatrece]

@@JuliaBoateng no they actually went on vacation together and was paid as well.

[@LordofFullmetal]

I agree with a lot of your points - especially the fact that Jojo is very obviously the only one who hasn't ever lived in the real world. And I do think Jess did her a terrible disservice by raising her in that environment. You can't just count on your child being able to live in that world forever - because now, if it all falls apart one day, Jojo has NOTHING. She has no idea how to function outside of that sphere. She hasn't lived in the real world since she was 9. Also can we talk about Melissa getting angry because Abby dared to focus on anyone except her kids, during their last week? Like sorry, your kids don't get a whole WEEK devoted to them just because they're leaving. That's not how the world works. No other job is going to treat you like that. Also I hate how she was always like "My girls, my kids" as if she gave a single crap about Kenzie - when in fact, she strongly favoured Maddie, and often failed to offer Kenzie the same opportunities that her sister was given. I just can't stop thinking about how that must have felt, to be Kenzie, and know that you're not even your own MOTHER'S favourite, let alone anyone else.

[@LorraineVirginie]

The way Kendall looks like Jill including what I had always assumed was plastic surgery is wildddd 😂

[@Lee-my3zt]

SOOOO MUCH WORKD DONE ON THEIR FACES

[@abby_bellamy]

She only got lip filler and she recently got it dissolved

[@ccw2613]

Kalani talked negative about JoJo a lot on the show. I don't mean the reunion.

[@Rainbow_Warrior_Princess]

Yes, but meanwhile they are good friends now.

[@Kait16xo]

I truly think the whole scene of them talking about the party for paige was orchestrated. I will die on this hill

[@EmilySC23]

My impression is that they have met up in the past, but never everyone at once. So at first they were happy about seeing everyone and they realized only later on how calculated it was when they actually posted the pictures. I would be disappointed too, it seems like the rest isn’t good enough to be associated with them until they’re useful. This isn’t supposed to be hate, I like everyone, but it is weird.

[@JuliaBoateng]

I get that perspective. I just don’t think M&K were thinking like that. It was at Maddie’s house but she didn’t organize it. Nia did apparently. She probably was like “cool if we throw this get together at your place?” And that was the end of it

[@EmilySC23]

@@JuliaBoateng I don’t necessarily think M&K had any intentions, but I wouldn’t be surprised if their team was thinking like that. The pictures did get out after all and prior to them being asked about the reunion they never did. I wouldn’t even blame their PR people tbh, because it’s their job.

[@scarlettsativa2960]

I wouldn’t invite Kalani or Jojo to my friends birthday party either lol. I wouldn’t have even invited Kendall. There’s so much projection and insecurity and shame going on. But they’re all thankful to the show at least, right 😅.

[@RavionElise]

one day we’re going to talk about how Christi was not a saint, and was overall very bitter lol

[@2sweet2eat]

Christi is incredibly bitter. Can't blame her though. Her daughter is/was a sweet girl with a GOD GIVEN amount of talent who was broken over and over by an evil lady.

[@princesselizabeth653]

I think it is ridiculous Jojo was even at this reunion when she was only there for 2 seasons. Brynn was there for 3 seasons so she should have been there way before Jojo but I guess your name gets your far. Also Kalani and JoJo’s relationship is a bit strange but it seems like they are actually close

[@kaheivi]

brynn there would’ve been so interesting as she was the one targeted by jill and jess. she was literally being talked down to every single episode by the moms. if ashlee was there maybe they would’ve addressed the kendall situation more in depth.

[@princesselizabeth653]

@@kaheivi the Kendall situation where she shouted at Ashlee for being mean? That was because Kendall and Jill had somewhere else to be think an audition or something and the only way producers would let them leave is if they created drama. Ashlee never even said the line she said that made Kendall shout that was dubbed over

[@coraliel2770]

I was planning on maybe watching the reunion and the first clip I saw was about the reunion they had for Paige's birthday and as soon as I saw the reactions from Kalani, Jojo even Christi I knew I would hate it. Like why would they invite Kalani and Jojo to Paige's birthday ? As far as I remember Jojo never met the Hylands cause she arrived in S5 and they left in S4 and Kalani wasn't a member of the ALDC in season 4 and came to replace them ? They visibly aren't friends on social media so it makes sens for them not to be invited.

[@batlove844]

Yea JoJo came at Brooke on tik tok a couple years prior and the reunion was the first time JoJo met them in person. Why would she be invited?

[@Thesilentvoice...]

Brynn, Cameron, Asia, and Payton should have been there if the show could get them on. The reunion would have been much different if they were there. It felt incomplete since Nia, Maddie and Mackenzie wasn’t there not the other girls I mentioned.

[@TheLadyGrey]

I don’t even think Brynn, Cameron, or Asia would’ve made as much sense as Payton and even Sarah. They were the Aldc dancers that just kept coming back, and even Chloe acknowledged that when Paige and Brooke left it really shook them because when Payton and Sarah kept leaving, the girls always knew that as long as they remained in the ALDC chances were that they’d be back to film at some point. Not having Payton at least talk about being the one brought back the most (given her own headshot and was part of the team seemingly indefinitely up until she broke her ankle)

[@joywatson304]

I honestly don't think that Jojo needed to be apart of the reunion cause she was only there for seasons 5&6. I also think that since jojo was there why not all Bryan to also be apart of the reunion.

[@blakelybug]

You're spot on with the Dan comparison. Dan Schneider= Abby Lee Miller

[@bellazecchino1290]

Jojo and kalani were probably just upset they weren't invited to the party Maddi had for Paige the day B4 the reunion. That's probably why Jojo was so bitter about them not showing up. Idk

[@michellexbeauty9832]

The way fans talk about the girls is so irritating. I’m around the same age as Chloe and paige and Nia which means I’m basically within the age range of the group, and I was a fan of the show. Now when I watch it sickens me the exploitation and trauma those girls faced. Maddie may have been favored but she’s been open about not wanting to associate with the show. None of us know truly how their lives were behind the scenes and it’s completely valid if they no longer want to associate with it, even if it’s what got their feet in the door for other career opportunities.

[@heatherwilson8616]

im the same age as maddie and kendall and i agree wholeheartedly

[@chichi3183]

If they weren't inviting Brynn and other girls, they should have just kept it to the ogs and Kendall. Yeah and it's annoying how they are still protecting Abby, they should have talked about the eye situation to keep it real

[@sunnylemon5626]

Would you ever consider making a video on Christi? I like her, but from the outside her relationships seem very confusing and I feel like she contradicts herself a lot. She criticizes Maddie and Mackenzie for not wanting to take selfie, but then previously on Back to the Barre she said that all the girls don’t want to take photos so they’re not known as the dance moms girls. Sorry that was kind of long! But overall just asking for a video on your perception on Christi because I’m pretty mixed.

[@sachamoses9233]

Tbh i feel like she played it up for the tv

[@sunnylemon5626]

@@sachamoses9233 I agree but I think that constantly contradicting herself when it comes to situations with Maddie and Mackenzie is weird

[@ckaeee1613]

It wasnt the fight that caused the divorce. Kelly said the show itself changed her and that if they never did the show she would still be married

[@briyonce777]

Thank you! because I’ve seen there’s a bunch of short episodes of the dance moms reunion and I just want to here all the tea in one go

[@lisavalentina1810]

Hi I really love your videos, could you please do a video talking about dance moms a new era?

[@foundangel]

You should do some research on the producers of the show. 😎 They definitely don't care about the rights of children.

[@JuliaBoateng]

I have, which is why I mentioned Bryan Stinson. Just didn’t feel like talking about all their misdeeds in the video hahaha

[@dianamunoz4296]

Abby is lying about Kelly's divorce being caused by her alcoholism, it was DEFINITELY caused by Dance Moms because on Christi and Kelly's podcast, Kelly tried to get her children to go get her old tapes from old dances that her children were apart because they were in Randy's (Kelly's ex-hushand) possession and Randy said that they weren't allowed to give them to her even though they were hers, and Christi has stated multiple times that she wishes she could do the show differently and even Melissa said the same. Also sidenote, Bryan Stinson is a weirdo, I think he was on an episode of Christi abd Kelly's podcast and he revealed that the girls added him into one of their group chats, and Christi and Kelly's responses were alarming because they said they had to tell the girls that it was a bad idea to keep Bryan in their private group chat.

[@hollibrown427]

Been waiting for this one!

[@JuliaBoateng]

Hope it was worth the wait! 🩷

[@pokemontas8025]

I don't think Kelly needs Abby back in her life. Abby will never take accountability and is toxic. And the fact that she's spreading lies about her being an alcoholic is horrible.

[@destineeallen88]

I think Maddie and McKenzie are over it. It’s their mother that can’t let it go.

[@creamyclam2095]

With all of the clips that have come out with them sitting with their moms and watching videos or just talking on their own, I was under the impression that they recorded a lot and were going to release a few episodes of the reunion and not just the one

[@sophiemilligan955]

I’ve missed your vids! So glad to see you’re back ❤️ hope you’re well!✨

[@JuliaBoateng]

awww yes I am! Thank you ! 🩷

[@dianamusser7837]

Nia was also the original that stayed the longest

[@CiaoAlter]

This video is what Ive been waiting for ever since the reunion !!

[@JuliaBoateng]

I hope you enjoyed it! 💕

[@sadiewood7302]

i know that dance moms is a cultural phenomenon and shaped so much of reality television, but it’s just so sad to see the emotional turmoil that every one of the girls and moms went through. not all of them are completely innocent or without their faults but you can tell each of them were profoundly effected both positively and negatively by this show. trauma not only from abby, but from the producers and absurd competitive nature of what they went through. i believe jojo has a trauma bond with abby and that doesn’t defend what she’s said about certain situations but it goes to show how what they’ve all been through effected them deeply. i hope each of those girls and moms goes on to live happy and fulfilling lives and has success going forward in whatever they choose.

[@Maddy2u1991]

Couple things i wanna day 1 kendall thinking it's weird that they were all invited to maddie's house for paige's birthday because they'd never been invited before which was probably because they're all not normally in the same state 2 christi needs to let paige, brooke and chloe fight their own battles if they're upset because maddie and kenzie are uncomfortable with pictures let them handle it they're adults now and shouldn't need christi to fight their battles for them And 3 what does abby think siblings are I think that she thinks siblings are replaceable because between saying that she would only talk to maddie if she was separated from melissa and kenzie to saying that she only wants a relationship with brooke not paige like does she think that brooke and maddie will be ok with her consistently bashing their siblings and still want to have a relationship with her despite her holding a grudge against their siblings

[@dahliaharris2501]

Personally I’d love if you made a segment about the new era dance moms and your take on it because there’s soooo much to unpack and I love your videos! Would love to know your perspective, because girl it’s A LOT

[@CaramelChristian]

Why tf was Jojo and Kalani there but not Asia or Byrnn. We’d much rather see those 2 queens tbh

[@itsnotthatdeepluv]

I’m so, so sorry but Kendall, Kalani and Jojo spoke TOO MUCH‼️Paige letting Kendall know she was not an OG>>

[@blackcurlmagicgrey-sloan8640]

I agree

[@FreshJHB]

I have to say that I've been waiting to hear your opinion on Dr Holly in retrospect. I am disappointed to hear that your stance still hasn't changed if we all know that we live in a world where people of colour don't have the privilege of tapping in and out of spaces as they please. I say this because what seems to have happened in the background is that tools were given to Nia to have autonomy over her navigation of this kind of toxicity. What Jojo says Abby prepared her for (the harshness of the industry on an entertainer product), Dr Holly prepared Nia for the human being in the industry. Her excluding herself and not embellishing her stance on not wanting to be there proves that lessons were learnt. I do really respect your opinion and thank you for perspective. Keep on with the good work.

[@blackcurlmagicgrey-sloan8640]

Bryan and lifetime are the real villains of the whole story and nobody from the show either sees that or says it

[@erins4262]

This reunion was disgustingly exploitative, purposefully drawing out tears, trying to victim blame. It’s disturbing. They were children and didn’t have autonomy then, and this reunion took their autonomy away again.

[@kikiko928]

I really hope the Zieglers cut them all off. Christi just seems bitter and nasty, and you can’t blame the producers when she’s the only person flying off the handle constantly. Also apparently Melissa didn’t even plan this party so the fact they made this whole fake narrative screams bitter.

[@emmagrangello]

So bitter and ridiculous, it quite literally sounded insane. Grown woman still throwing around nasty remarks and conspiracies about Melissa. Weirdo behaviour

[@TheGlamchic99]

Christi has beef with Melissa bc Melissa had an alliance with Abby. Where they all had to say and don certain things per their contract but Melissa never held up her end. So the other moms had to create the “drama” per the producers and push certain storylines and look crazy and jealous while she got to look above it all, so they had to carry the show , but because they were forced to do certain things by the producers it got them on Abby’s bad side which would get their kids yelled at, while she never had to go through any of that bc Abby promised if she always stood up for her she would protect her kids. They felt she threw the other kids under the bus bc she knew her actions would cause Abby to retaliate against the other kids. They discuss it on their podcast

[@kikiko928]

@@TheGlamchic99 the same producers Christi is friends with ? Also Melissa was never “above it all” and got made out to be a villain for the majority of the series 💀 Melissa’s not a saint but that’s a ridiculous claim lol. The simple truth is Christi is just the kind of bitter nasty person who works for reality tv (proved by her personality and the fact she’s always trying to start drama YEARS after the show is over) where Melissa mostly avoided confrontation 🤷🏻‍♀️ None of that justifies why Christi is making up lies years later

[@marinaluna3252]

I think the whole discussion of Paige's birthday is insane like you can tell it most definitely wasn't about that.

[@ms.wilson6439]

Paige looked like a super model there

[@urfavsh1teditor]

Here are my main takes: Jojo has been manipulated and used by basically every adult in her life and thats why she's turned out the she has. I can't stand her, but I feel for her that she'll never realise how terrible Jess, Abby, Gia, James and Colleen all are. I'm genuinely worried about Christi. I think she's incredibly paranoid about Melissa and honestly struggling a lot as she's been arrested for a DUI. I dont blame her, Melissa broke the moms trust over and over again and its so hard to earn that back, but i don't think there was any malicious intent involved in that party. (Pls don't come for me saying I'm bias or justifying how it is because she's Christi, I like Melissa a lot more nowadays too). All of these poor girls have been through so much trauma and Jojo shading the Zieglers and Nia was uncalled for. Avoidance is a trauma coping mechanism and they also might have just moved on? Not everyone thinks of things the same way as you Jojo Kira was honestly a 1000x worse than Christi in anything she said about Melissa. She seems so malicious and bitter when Melissa literally looked after Kalani while she was having the baby. She's being ungrateful and unfair. Brooke and Kelly crying so much was so hard to watch. I felt so bad for all of the Hylands and I hope they're healing and Kelly knows that fight wasn't just her fault. And I'm so proud of her for taking accountability too ♡

[@marinaluna3252]

you could tell by his very first sentence addressing the party he was BUTTTHHURRRTTTT

[@dianeandrzejak2221]

I don’t blame Nia one bit for not going to the reunion! I can kind of understand that sentiment being directed towards the Ziegler’s because they didn’t have all the heartache from Abby like the rest of the girls did. Nia was the ONLY person who was there from the beginning to the very end! & WHAT does Nia have to be grateful for?!?! Them making her look like the weakest link?! That she could ONLY DO limited things?! The producers & unfortunately Abby Lee RUINED a great thing! & as far as JoJo goes- she’s BEEN an attention seeker from day one! She’s not a person that I find as a true friend. She reminds me of a look at me, look at me person! I think the only ones hanging on to the “Dance Mom” fame is JoJo & Kalani! Those two wouldn’t have had the chance IF it wasn’t for the other girls!!