S05.E03: JoJo with a Bow Bow

[Darknight]

Sia says she doesn't want to be a celebrity, doesn't want to have her face widely known, and doesn't like people making fun of her looks. Which doesn't make a lot of sense, because her face is easily available, she did numerous concerts and appearances before she came up with this "hide the face" thing.

Or she's just attention seeking or isn't a good singer

[KaveDweller]

Sia says she doesn't want to be a celebrity, doesn't want to have her face widely known, and doesn't like people making fun of her looks.

 

She doesn't want to be a celebrity, but just wants to be a singer who makes a lot of money.  Okay.  And I just Googled her and she looks perfectly fine, so I don't know why people would make fun of her looks anymore than they would any other celebrity.  That just comes with the territory.

 

I always wonder if those are mandatory, kind of like gymnastics where they are required to do certain moves.

 

I've always wondered the same thing.  The dances always use the same moves in a different order, so it seems reasonable that they are going off a checklist. That or Abby just really likes them.

[Gianthambeast]

There is nothing worse than those stupid heel stretches and tilts especially if a crotch is to the audience.  If you want to display flexibility and control, do a slow développé or penchée or a lovely grand battement.

 

 

But this would require actual ballet training. :/

 

I'm not sure what it's called, but the move I hate most is when she has them lie on their stomachs, resting their heads on their hands, kicking their legs back and forth in an oh-so-coy fashion.  Ick.  Amen to whoever said there was way too much floorwork.

[Loves2Dance]

Which brings up another fascination I have with this show, what foolish studios bother to pay to be part of this shenanigans?  I get it maybe a few years ago when there were those In10sity ones that weren't clearly fake yet - but now?  When the pretense is gone?  I remember when my lass was still competing one of the classy competitions openly poked fun at DM and told the audience that they would never stoop to allowing that kind of nonsense at their competition, no matter the compensation.

A friend of mine's little girl is at a studio where they had an invitational recently and they were offered a spot to come for free. They turned it down, but literally to compete against them was nothing when normally it's $100+ per dance.

[sofiah]

There is nothing worse than those stupid heel stretches and tilts especially if a crotch is to the audience.  If you want to display flexibility and control, do a slow développé or penchée or a lovely grand battement.

 

Abby is the worst at showcasing flexibility and control in an effective way.  There was a solo recently where she just had Kalani do an awkward scorpion at the end… so much cringe, the kind of stuff you see little kids who can't really dance yet, but who are flexible, doing. 

[WelcomeStranger]

Could someone do the math on what percentage of Abby's dances begin and/or end on the floor?  I'm too busy.

 

Seriously.  Do. Something. Different.

Yes. In that mermaid position, with one arm swept oh-so-lightly across the chest. Pleasant the first 2984759 times--not so much after that.

[Rhondinella]

To be fair, the majority of dance competition routines have them rolling on the floor.  That and multiple turns.  I always wonder if those are mandatory, kind of like gymnastics where they are required to do certain moves.

 

 

Oh, I totally expect that there is a required list of movements or something.  And floorwork is probably among them.  I'm not against the concept itself, just the lack of variety in how it is used.

 

For anyone who knows anything about these competitions from the inside, in lyrical numbers are "spins" required?  Do they have to spin a certain number of times?  It seems like spins are in every one of Abby's dances (even some that aren't lyrical) and it's cool and all, but gets really, really old.  I mean, I appreciate that it's way harder to do well than it looks, so it definitely shows off technique.  I guess I just wish there was more variety in how it's used.  I also sometimes feel like most of Maddie's routines are spins. 

 

And, am I wrong (I'm not a dancer like . . . at all) but Maddie's spins are ok while spinning, but to my eye it looks like she doesn't control the ending well and often falls out of them, which I think is a no no, right?

 

And while we're talking about the movements we hate what on EARTH is that vile move where they lay flat on the floor on their backs (usually with head to the audience, or to the side) and then slide their back and arms up to a sitting position which arching their back.  I don't know why, but that drives me crazy.  It's like . . . "oh, look, I know how to sit up gracefully!  Aren't you impressed?"

[leighroda]

In the dance world, while there are not "required" elements like in gymnastics, there are moves that earn points, turns (spins) being one of the bigger point earners. Lyrical does not require turns per se... But I've never seen one with no turns, if that makes sense.

As it has been previously mentioned as far as the ALDC goes, it seems like they use the same combinations/tricks in every dance because it makes it easier to teach in the "new dance every week" format.

I agree with some of the tricks not going with the flow of ev-er-ry dance they do, such as kalani's scorpion, or Nia's death drop, or that circle cartwheel thing mackenzie does. There is a video on YouTube that shows the repetitiveness of some of their moves seen in many dances, I'll see if I can find it to link it.

Eta: I found the link

Edited January 25, 2015 by leighroda

[Rhondinella]

Oh, I love those.  Thanks!  The weird "sit up" motion I was talking about is featured in that second video, starting at about 0:46. They showed 10 (!) different clips of that move, and I'm sure that was just a fraction of the times it's been used.

 

Also, I have another general question about these competitions, for you leighroda or anyone else:  What do you do to win a "title" at one of these competitions.  I mean, clearly it's a separate thing from the solo dances themselves, because they get separate awards.  So dancing is just one element that is taken into consideration, I assume? I don't know if they've ever clarified what other things the girls are judged on.

 

I do remember in one of the early seasons (1 maybe?  Cause it was Vivi I think) they showed the judging of a photo contest as part of the competition.  Is that part of the title thing? 

[leighroda]

I'm not really sure about that part... I did do competitive dance, but I don't really remember there usually being titles, but I never did solos either. I know some competitions have more of a pageant portion, I think I remember Maddie being really nervous at one because of a question/answer portion, I think some competitions winning a title is as simple as being the high score... But I'm not positive about that.

[Darknight]

Oh, I love those. Thanks! The weird "sit up" motion I was talking about is featured in that second video, starting at about 0:46. They showed 10 (!) different clips of that move, and I'm sure that was just a fraction of the times it's been used.

Also, I have another general question about these competitions, for you leighroda or anyone else: What do you do to win a "title" at one of these competitions. I mean, clearly it's a separate thing from the solo dances themselves, because they get separate awards. So dancing is just one element that is taken into consideration, I assume? I don't know if they've ever clarified what other things the girls are judged on.

I do remember in one of the early seasons (1 maybe? Cause it was Vivi I think) they showed the judging of a photo contest as part of the competition. Is that part of the title thing?

Depends on the competition but for most of them as you stated it's an extra fee. Not really worthy since most dancers don't enter title, which is why you could come third overall for your age group but 1st overall in title for your age group. You don't really have to do anything. Some require another solo. Depending on the comp you're expected to have good technique, musicality, performance, etc. At other competitions, you pay extra, and then they average all your solo scores, and compare them against others who also are competing for Title.  Sometime during awards, they will announce the Title winner, and present them with something (Tiara, extra trophy, special jacket, etc.) Another competitions just the average of 2 solos.It not that big of a deal (unless, of course you are National title winner but that's also subjective)

[RedFire2000]

What was the point of Maddie's phone call? All Abby did was bad mouth the other girls right in front of them. We know Maddie is the favorite ...the girls know it. But even with out Maddie there Abby is still shoving her down the girls throats. Maddie is a dancer, NOT an instructor, there was no point to what Abby did other than being cruel yet again. It was almost like she was speaking with an adult. Maddie is a child, why have that conversation with a child or have that conversation in front of the girls? She was being very unprofessional and petty. She built the girls up by saying something nice and then they'd smile then she'd say something mean. What was the point? I felt really bad for them.

[tessa]

I thought the same thing about the phone call. It's as if she was talking to another instructor instead of a student. I did feel sorry for Maddie though as she seemed so sad, tired and lonely. Being home schooled and sp busy doing all these extras as well as Dance Moms - does this poor child have any time for friends? If she has any left because her good friends are now gone from the studio. She's old enough now to understand and see what Abby's constant adolation of her has done and I'm sure that also bothers her, but being the good girl she is won't address it. At this point in her life - despite all the accomplishments and media attention - I think she's very lonely.

[RedheadZombie]

I don't care for Jojo, and every time she opens her mouth and starts lysping, it drives me crazy. Not because it's the kid's fault, but because this should have been addressed by the time she was five. I think the mother ignores it because it helps infantilize Jojo to keep the impression she's younger, and because her mom is too busy bleaching her hair, encouraging her to be a brat, and dragging her around the country for tv time.

[NextIteration]

Also, I have another general question about these competitions, for you leighroda or anyone else:  What do you do to win a "title" at one of these competitions.  I mean, clearly it's a separate thing from the solo dances themselves, because they get separate awards.  So dancing is just one element that is taken into consideration, I assume? I don't know if they've ever clarified what other things the girls are judged on.

 

I do remember in one of the early seasons (1 maybe?  Cause it was Vivi I think) they showed the judging of a photo contest as part of the competition.  Is that part of the title thing? 

 

Photogenic is always separate and an extra fee.  Title is entirely dependent on the competition.  Some of the best competitions award the Title or whatever is equivalent to that based solely on performance of solos (sometimes there is a requirement to have two to be considered but no extra fee is charged) and others it's just like Photogenic, you pay an extra fee and you get a Tiara or blinged out jacket or some such.  Some of the competitions that have the extra paid title thing actually have a judge that only judges for titles and special awards, which I sort of feel is more legitimate.  I always used to tease my kid and ask her if she wanted me to buy her a tiara. ;)  Because, that is essentially what you are doing.  Most legitimate competitors sort of scorn the practice.  (It's also incredibly entertaining seeing an intermediate level competitor win the title because none of the elite dancers would be caught dead entering.)

 

Winning the Title at Regionals generally allows you to also compete for Title at Nationals at that competition (which is where it gets more pageanty with a special dress and interviews), but often kids with a certain regional score are asked to compete as well even if they didn't title. (Think money generation, because money is what competitions are all about.)  As far as group dances go, often the overall winners are invited to nationals with a waived entrance fee for that dance.  Dancers that get the judges attention either in solos or groups, and not always the overall winners are often invited to participate at nationals in an elite master class and performance during the finale at that comp's nationals.

 

The competitions where the regional titles are important and actually indicative of real talent are workshop/competitions like NYCDA (Outstanding Dancer), Jump (VIP), WCDE (Elite Dancer)... and there are a few more.  

Edited January 25, 2015 by NextIteration

[Rhondinella]

Thanks, guys.  That's all good to know.  I always thought it sounded like just buying a cheap tiara.  Sounds like I was (mostly) right.

[torus351]

I'm surprised JoJo couldn't do that lyrical routine, but i was happy with her replacement, Sarah. I think Sarah has great potential, she just needs to get out of her shell and not look so insecure and scared all the time ( easier said than done knowing who her coach is ).

 

JoJo looks nice and dances quite well, but should not open her mouth so much.

[AdorkableWitch]

As someone who had desires to be a child performer, and took dance, acting, and voice lessons, I am so confused about how no one is telling Jo Jo' mother to get her child speech therapy? She is never going to book acting gigs unless she can deliver lines plainly.

[Absolom]

My fear is that Jo Jo's mother encourages the baby talk as cute and has refused to get it corrected.

[sofiah]

I agree that if Jojo's mom is refusing to get her speech therapy that is disturbing.

 

However, I doubt that is the case.  Jojo may be getting speech therapy - there are many different reasons for speech impediments, some easily treatable, and some not - some people have physiological reasons for not pronouncing their "r" properly, and it can be extremely difficult to overcome.  

 

Just putting that out there.  Not that I like Jojo's mom.  At all.  I find her incredibly irritating. 

Edited January 28, 2015 by sofiah