Episode
The ALDC vs. MDP Rivalry Gets PERSONAL | Back To The Barre
- Podcast
- Back to the Barre
- Published
- Jun 22, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4164
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Summary
Christi and Kelly recap Dance Moms season 5, episode 24 — “West Coast Strikes Back,” where the ALDC’s rivalry with MDP starts feeling a lot less like friendly competition and a lot more like a real threat. This week, Abby is back in Los Angeles, MDP is at the same competition, and Erin Babbs knows exactly how to get under her skin. Between the “monster” routine, the American Girl doll made to look like Abby, and the backstage tension, Christi and Kelly watch as the West Coast rivalry turns into one of the few matchups that actually seems to rattle Abby. But the biggest drama is still happening inside the ALDC. After Mackenzie beats Maddie, Abby gives her the lead in the group dance — only to take it away and hand it right back to Maddie. Christi and Kelly break down how predictable the switch felt, why the dance suddenly looked like a Maddie solo with backup dancers, and why the moms were so frustrated that Melissa did not fight harder for Mackenzie. They also react to JoJo dancing a tribute solo for her grandmother, Kendall competing “Just an Illusion,” Jill’s truly terrible pep talk, Jess’s giant bow hat, Abby’s carpet-like outfit, and the now-iconic “my mom’s dead” moment. Grab your tickets to our LIVE TOUR here: x1entertainment.com/bttb See you in 2026!! Welcome to Back to the Barre, the ultimate podcast channel where Kelly Hyland and Christi Lukasiak from Dance Moms spill the tea, share the laughs, and take you behind the scenes of your favorite reality TV moments! 🎥✨ Join us as we relive the wild drama of pyramid days, outrageous competitions, and unforgettable moments that made Dance Moms a pop culture phenomenon. But this isn’t just about rhinestones—we’re giving you the real stories: the chaos, the camaraderie, and yes, the cocktails that got us through it all…