News

Instructor Victor Smalley takes a page from the Abby Lee Miller handbook Tuesday (May 1) on "Dance Moms: Miami," choreographing a prison-themed routine for his young dancers. However, unlike Abby's jailhouse routine that had the girls literally dancing behind bars and landed them in second place behind Candy Apple's Dance Center, Victor takes a more abstract approach, winning his group first place.

"To have the kids understand a theme like 'discipline,' we thought it would be fun to put them in a jail scenario, and because their mothers need discipline as well, we thought it would be even more fun to give them roles that reflect their parents," instructor Angel Armas says, before inadvertently (?) revealing that Lucas' mom Brigette is guilty of tax evasion (???).

"I just paid four years of back taxes, and I don't think that's very funny," Brigette says.

One thing Brigette could never be guilty of, though,...

Like Abby Lee Miller and the Pittsburgh Dance Moms and dancers before them, Victor Smalley, his pal and business partner Angel Armas, and their talented troupe of Stars Dance Studio dancers have become overnight TV superstars via their Lifetime reality show Dance Moms: Miami. With their fans blowing up the Twitter-verse and mobbing them at airports and dance competitions across the country, Smalley and Co. are suddenly in demand around the clock. Still, he took a little time out to tell us about what makes his studio, his dancers and their show unique. Cgm: What was your reaction when you were [...]...

The theme of the group dance routine on Tuesday's (April 17) "Dance Moms: Miami" is insecurities, but the dance floor isn't the only place insecurity is running rampant, as the moms get in on the act with allegations of sabotage, lying and conspiring against each other's children.

As instructor Victor Smalley tells Zap2it, "I am here for the kids, not the moms," and this episode certainly helps prove why the mothers aren't winning him over. Sammy's mom, Abby, continues to be a target as her daughter continues to excel at her new studio, but Lucas' mom, Brigette, comes to the realization that maybe Abby's not as bad as she was made to believe.

"Debi completely manipulated the situation to get everyone to do her dirty work," Brigette tells Abby.

Later while out for drinks with Abby and Jessi's mom, Susan, Brigette confesses to Abby that Hannah's mom Debi was trying to sabotage Sammy.

"Dance Moms Miami" has already distinguished itself from its predecessor, "Dance Moms," in a number of ways -- particularly when it comes to instructors Victor Smalley and Angel Armas versus Abby Lee Miller. Stars Dance Studio co-owner Victor, who was a Season 6 finalist on "So You Think You Can Dance," breaks down the differences between his style and Abby's and tells Zap2it what we can expect from his dancers this season on "Dance Moms: Miami."

Did you watch the first two seasons of "Dance Moms"? What did you think?  

Yes, I watched both seasons, and I thought they were so addicting. It's always a great thing when dance is spread through television across America. However, all I could think was how different the show would be if it was based in Miami using my company, Stars. In my opinion, I see Abby Lee as Broadway and razzle dazzle, and...

Lifetime's original "Dance Moms" will be back from its spring break with new episodes in June, but in the meantime, "Dance Moms: Miami" premiered Tuesday (April 3) to fill the void with a little Latin flair.

A few key differences between the two shows:

Viewers actually get to see instructor and "So You Think You Can Dance" Season 6 finalist Victor Smalley dance (unfortunately, viewers also got to see him vomit in the premiere when he fell ill on the way to the competition), while Abby Lee Miller mostly instructs from the sidelines or with the help of another instructor.

As instructor/studio co-owner Angel Armas, says, "We love the kids. We hate the moms." While still strict, the duo seems to have more praise to dole out for their students.

The Miami kids -- and moms -- are intense. Kimmy wakes up at 4 a.m. every day to finish her homework,...

Say what you will about the titular mothers from Lifetime's "Dance Moms," but Abby Lee Miller is way harder on the girls than any of their moms are. However, the Tuesday (April 3) premiere of spinoff "Dance Moms: Miami" introduces an entirely different beast, Jessi's mom Susan, who in the preview is dubbed a "psycho mom" who "needs professional help."

"Dance Moms: Miami," which premieres immediately following the 90-minute spring finale of "Dance Moms," features instructors Victor Smalley ("So You Think You Can Dance") and Angel Armas at the Miami-based Stars Dance Studio, where they are "Turning Kids into Dancers and Dancers into Stars" (sounds familiar ...). The show also features six dancers -- four girls, two boys -- and their moms, though it looks like Susan will be stealing a lot of screen time.

"When I talk to you, you look at me," she says sternly to her daughter in the promo clip,...

The countdown has begun to Tuesday’s scorching debut of Lifetime’s Dance Moms: Miami, immediately following the tear-soaked “Abbygeddon” season finale of the wildly popular Pittsburgh flagship. • Dance Moms: Miami first pics! And we finally have official pics of the Miami mamas! Ladies and gents, meet Anicia Gutierrez, Debi Epstein, Abby Small, Brigette Bernier Triana and Susan Kennedy! Anicia is the mother of adorable, tiny Kimberly Kopke: Debi is the mother of Hannah Epstein, shown here in the red shorts with instructors Angel Armas and Victor Smalley and her duet partner, Sammy Small: Below is Sammy with her mom, Abby, and her [...]...

Lifetime has ordered not one but two shows related to its reality hit Dance Moms, one set in Miami and one that follows kids who ice skate and their parents. Last week, the network announced that it had picked up six episodes of Dance Moms: Miami, which is set at the Stars Dance Studio, with the Abby Lee Miller role being apparently filled by Victor Smalley and Angel Armas. In a press release, the network...

Lifetime's successful "Dance Moms" franchise is not only getting a spinoff with "Dance Moms: Miami," but its also getting a sister show: "Ice Moms." The network and "Dance Moms" production company Collins Avenue are developing the new reality show about the world of competitive figure skating.

"We've conquered the world of competitive dance with our hit 'Dance Moms' and have great plans to expand the franchise to Miami," Rob Sharenow, executive vice president of programming at Lifetime Networks, said in a statement. "Now, we're bringing the format to the intensely competitive world of figure skating and revealing the explosive dynamic between the kids, parents and coaches who all want to be the best. We'll show all the blood, sweat and tears it takes to be a champion on ice."

"Ice Moms" will follow Laurie Vigilante and Adam Schmidt, a Dearborn, Michigan-based figure skating coaching duo. In a press release,...

Lifetime's successful "Dance Moms" franchise is not only getting a spinoff with "Dance Moms: Miami," but its also getting a sister show: "Ice Moms." The network and "Dance Moms" production company Collins Avenue are developing the new reality show about the world of competitive figure skating.

"We've conquered the world of competitive dance with our hit 'Dance Moms' and have great plans to expand the franchise to Miami," Rob Sharenow, executive vice president of programming at Lifetime Networks, said in a statement. "Now, we're bringing the format to the intensely competitive world of figure skating and revealing the explosive dynamic between the kids, parents and coaches who all want to be the best. We'll show all the blood, sweat and tears it takes to be a champion on ice."

"Ice Moms" will follow Laurie Vigilante and Adam Schmidt, a Dearborn, Michigan-based figure skating coaching duo. In a press release,...

Recognition, a spot on tour and a paycheck are all a part of what it means to be in the So You Think You Can Dance top 10. Last week, Karen Hauer, an American Rhythm dancer from Fort Lee, N.J., and Victor Smalley, a contemporary wonder from Miami, barely missed the mark as the judges had their final say in who stays and who goes. This week, season 6's top 10 will get new partners, and the fans will handle the cuts from here on out until a new winner is crowned America's Favorite Dancer. --Jed Dreben Here's a rundown the...

Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of chatting with Victor Smalley, the latest dancer to be eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance.

Victor was frank and grateful when discussing his time on So You Think You Can Dance. While he admits he was disappointed with his elimination, because as we all saw he definitely danced for his life, his ouster was softened by Nigel's comments and his respect for the Top 10. Here's what Victor had to say about tango-ing with Karen, changing partners, and his surprising answer to what he wished he'd done more of on So You Think You Can Dance.

Ah, Nigel Lythgoe.

One of the nice things about the "So You Think You Can Dance" judges -- Nigel in particular -- is they say what they think.

And this week, they sent contemporary dancer Victor Smalley home, but there was some debate as to whether Nathan Trasoras should've gone instead?

Why?

Well, Nigel says that while Nathan is a tremendous dancer, the kid simply needs to start engaging his brain.

He feels Victor's growth in the competition should've guaranteed him a spot in the Top 10 over Nathan. But judge Adam Shankman disagreed, saying now that we're in the finals and Nathan will be paired with someone new, he could begin to up his game. Adam said Nathan and Mollee's youth and similar style could've been the thing holding them back. Or not. Next week, we'll find out.

As for Ms. Mary Murphy, she's pumped about the newly-crowned season 6 Top...

The Top 12 of "So You Think You Can Dance" season 6 have been wilted down to mere 10. Married ballroom dancer couple Ashleigh Di Lello and Ryan Di Lello are through to the next round but Karen Hauer and Victor Smalley have to stop their journey on the show.

During the deliberation, Karen and Victor were joined in the bottom three by Mollee and Nathan; and Ellenore and Ryan. All six of them had to dance for their lives if they wanted to stay in the competition. Karen was criticized for looking like she has surrendered and thus was the first to be eliminated. On the other hand, Victor delivered an energetic piece but it was not enough to convince the judges to keep him.

The Top 10 apart from the Di Lellos are thus Russell Ferguson, Mollee Gray, Jakob Karr, Noelle Marsh, Kathryn McCormick, Jonathan "Legacy" Perez, Ellenore Scott and Nathan Trasoras.

Karen Hauer & Victor Smalley get eliminated from 'So You Think You Can Dance' 6 week 5. The dancers kicked off the show with a performance to the song, "What A Girl Gotta Do." It was choreographed by Tabitha & Napolean. Then, Kate Deeley introduced the judges,and they talked a little bit about what will happen next week,when it's just down to ten dancers. It'll be all up to America from that point on. Next, they revealed that Karen & Victor were in the bottom three,and Ashleigh & Jakob were safe,to lead into the first break. After the first break, they revealed Mollee & Nathan were in the bottom three, and Kathryn & Legacy were safe, to lead into the 2nd break.

Seems like the injury curse has moved from Dancing with the Stars to So You Think You Can Dance. First it was Billy Bell's bloody nose, then Pauline Mata's yucky ankle injury, then Billy Bell's mystery illness, Noelle's knee injury, last week Victor Smalley required 5 stitches after partner Channing Cooke "pecked' him too hard, and now we have word that Mollee Gray has been injured.

The bubbly teenager just tweeted that she's been the latest to fall victim to the curse. See for yourself:...

Channing Cooke and Kevin Hunte have become the latest contestants to exit this season's So You Think You Can Dance. Contemporary dancer Cooke, 18, and 23-year-old hip-hop dancer Hunte were given the boot during last night's live results show. They had landed in the bottom three couples alongside their partners Victor Smalley and Karen Hauer and Mollee Gray and Nathan Trasoras. (more)...