Back to the Barre

We got a special throwback episode — an early After Party video that was previously only on Patreon. But we wanted to show you all what goes on weekly in our After Party sessions available to our Patreon members. It's even more fun and casual than you're already used to with our recap episodes, plus answering more of your questions!In this episode, we revisit past dramas from Dance Moms, a stormy trip to Epcot, talking "filthy" on set to stop the cameras, and even menopause. This is what After Party is all about — we go in all directions! If you want access to all our After Party content, head over to our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backtothebarreWe're still doing our live tour too. Here's the schedule so you can come see us live: x1entertainment.com/bttb 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. 🍸💃If you love binge-worthy reality TV, snarky humor, and behind-the-scenes gossip, you’ve come to the right place. Expect hilarious recaps, juicy secrets, and unfiltered opinions (because honestly, what else would you expect from us?). Get ready to laugh, cry, and question how we survived it all! 💅💥 Subscribe now for your weekly dose of drama and fun—you know you can’t look away. 😉 And if want more video content, subscribe to our exclusive Patreon channel below!

Come see us live!! www.x1entertainment.com/bttb"I feel like we're consistent in the mocking of Jill." Christi might be talking about her outfits, but "Showdown in Pittsburgh, Part 2" doesn't do Jill any favors when it comes to giving her plenty of mockable moments as well. I mean is it already week three of Jill trying to convince Holly she should be grateful for what Abby does for Nia? Like WHILE Abby is actively trying to sabotage Nia at every conceivable turn? Yeah it's not one of Jill's better looks for sure.In a rare feat for Dance Moms there's no Pyramid this week because for some reason (we still can't quite figure out why) Production decided to split this week into a two parter (for real we had less notes for this episode than we often do when we only cover half an episode, it's weird). But there's still plenty of drama abound as most of the ALDC moms show up to their last local competition sans daughters... and you kind of need them present to compete or the group can't perform! Outside of Nia and JoJo all the girls are still at JUMP, which Abby and the moms feel is very important for their careers unlike the hit TV show they're supposed to be filming. Abby assigns Nia and JoJo solos in case the rest of the team in a no show when it's their turn to perform. Nia will preform Never Knew once more and JoJo is instructed to freestyle on-stage (which we highly doubt as JoJo upstaging Nia would be to tempting for Abby to leave to chance).The Candy Apples and Broadway Dance Academy soon crash the party to stir up the pot. Of course Jill doesn't take kindly to Cathy's interventions, but Cathy makes some great points about how Abbys been treating Nia, which Holly confirms. Jill doesn't like Holly picking sides with her enemy and starts beating the "You need to respect what Abby does for you" drum once again, but Holly points out Nia only gets chances when no one else is there to preoccupy Abby's attention. Tensions continue to simmer as the competition gets underway, but will the rest of the ALDC show up in time to snatch victory for the Candy Apples and quell a potential Abby blow-up? Or is a blow-up inevitable if Jill and Cathy are in the same room together for longer that two minutes?Quotes“I thought about Abby saying this video is supposed to represent Nia's life and this is not Nia... is Kendall in the army? Did I miss that part of her life?" (25:19-25:33 | Christi)"I kinda love that. Whoever did that in production, how diabolical of you." (28:19-28:23 | Christi)“Thank God Abby wasn't invited [to Brooke's wedding]. Thank god, she would have been yelling at Josh, 'GET YOUR HANDS AWAY FROM YOUR CROTCH!' during the middle of the ceremony.'" (37:21-37:29 | Kelly & Christi)“You should talk about those crows feet. How about those jowls that jiggle every time you open your mouth? And then Abby says don't talk about my boobs? And she calls me a dingbat? I at least know what jowls are!" (47:28-47:43 | Christi & Kelly)LinksSubscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC50aSBAYXH_9yU2YkKyXZ0w Subscribe to our Patreon: www.patreon.com/backtothebarreThank you to Ashley Jana for allowing us to use Electricity!! Follow her on IG HERE: https://instagram.com/ashleyjanamusic?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Download Electricity HERE: https://music.apple.com/us/album/electricity/1497482509?i=1497482510

THE TEA ☕We're back, and this time we're EXPOSING episode 6 of Housewives of Rhode Island. We talked about this show last week, but we got A LOT more to say this time. We get into Kelsey’s confusing boyfriend situation, the blurred-out “political family” man, and whether the whole moving-out storyline had more going on behind the scenes. Using our own TV experience, we'll tell you what's real and what feels a little too set up by producers. Plus, we also talk about our favorite Met Gala looks! Come see us live!! www.x1entertainment.com/bttbLinksSubscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC50aSBAYXH_9yU2YkKyXZ0w Subscribe to our Patreon: www.patreon.com/backtothebarreThank you to Ashley Jana for allowing us to use Electricity!! Follow her on IG HERE: https://instagram.com/ashleyjanamusic?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Download Electricity HERE: https://music.apple.com/us/album/electricity/1497482509?i=1497482510

Come see us live!! www.x1entertainment.com/bttb"The funniest thing was we were in hell, but you guys had your own version of hell going on," Christi reflects to our very receptive panel of guests. This week we welcome to the Barre our favorite Dance Mom Producers: Annie, Erin and Chris! If it's Dance Moms goss you're looking for, there's no better place to start than right here. No ones made it through the Dance Moms grinder in quite the same way, they've all got stories to tell and boy do they have a lot to say when we get them all together.A fun twist now that so much time has passed is all of our guests have become parents themselves. So we want to know, how differently does it make them think about their time on the show? Do some moments seem a bit more cagey in hindsight? Would they have approached the work any differently? Speaking of work what was it like to actually work with Abby on a day to day basis? Was she really that difficult to work with (probably) and if so what's their craziest Abby story?Plus of course we had to ask them all about what it was like to produce some of the craziest s**t ever put on television. Chris was there during the walk to prison! He did the walk too but had to lug around equipment! There's just no end to the amount of stories they have to share. They've all gone on to have fairly broad careers in both reality TV and elsewhere, but Dance Moms will always be their mark on the culture, the thing they'll be asked about for the rest of their lives. So we'll just have to keep asking!Quotes“[Kira] was tough. She was basically not producible." (19:08-19:11 | Chris)"Did any of you ask Abby after the fight like why was she trying to bite Kelly?" (41:54-41:59 | Christi)“Such good war stories this show. I feel like some of my best memories are from the show." (47:14-47:18 | Erin)“You had a Candy Apples soft spot cause you were there. Yeah I was there a lot in Canton. Well I was there too with you and I didn't have a soft spot." (50:48-50:55 | Erin, Chris & Annie)LinksSubscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC50aSBAYXH_9yU2YkKyXZ0w Subscribe to our Patreon: www.patreon.com/backtothebarreThank you to Ashley Jana for allowing us to use Electricity!! Follow her on IG HERE: https://instagram.com/ashleyjanamusic?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Download Electricity HERE: https://music.apple.com/us/album/electricity/1497482509?i=1497482510

Were exposing the lies in the new Bravo series

Step inside one of the most chaotic and revealing episodes of Dance Moms as Back to the Barre breaks down “Showdown in Pittsburgh Part 1” with unfiltered commentary, behind-the-scenes tea, and the kind of brutally honest humor only Christi and Kelly can deliver.In this episode, Christi Lukasiak and Kelly Hyland recap the drama-packed return to Pittsburgh, where tensions between the moms are at an all-time high, rival teams are circling, and loyalties are put to the test. From the moment the episode begins, it’s clear this is more than just another competition week—it’s a collision of personal ambition, jealousy, and the complicated reality of life both on and off camera.A major storyline centers around Nia Sioux’s long-awaited music video premiere, a milestone moment that should be celebrated—but instead becomes a lightning rod for conflict. Christi and Kelly unpack the uncomfortable dynamics as some moms struggle to show support, raising bigger questions about favoritism, competition, and what it really means to be part of a “team.” Was it about scheduling conflicts, or something deeper? The hosts don’t hold back as they analyze every reaction, side-eye, and awkward moment.The episode also dives into the ongoing rivalry with Cathy Nesbitt-Stein and the Candy Apples, along with Jeanette and Ava’s return, creating a triple-threat competition environment. With multiple teams rehearsing in the same space, tensions escalate quickly, and Christi and Kelly reveal what was really happening behind the scenes—including producer influence, staged moments, and what didn’t make it to air.Beyond the drama, this recap explores deeper themes that fans of Dance Moms still debate today: the pressure placed on young dancers, the blurred lines between opportunity and exploitation, and how reality TV editing shapes public perception. Christi and Kelly reflect on how production decisions impacted storylines, why certain narratives were pushed, and how the girls were affected in the process.There’s also plenty of classic Back to the Barre humor—inside jokes, wild tangents, and laugh-out-loud commentary on everything from questionable fashion choices to unforgettable one-liners. Whether they’re calling out Abby Lee Miller’s contradictions, revisiting iconic moments, or sharing personal memories from filming, Christi and Kelly bring a mix of nostalgia and new insight that longtime fans won’t want to miss.If you’re searching for a Dance Moms podcast recap, behind-the-scenes secrets, or a deeper look at what really happened during one of the show’s most dramatic eras, this episode delivers. Perfect for fans of reality TV breakdowns, pop culture commentary, and unfiltered storytelling, this is your front-row seat to the chaos, the comedy, and the truth behind the pyramid.Tune in to hear: • The real story behind Nia’s music video premiere • Why the moms’ reactions sparked controversy • Behind-the-scenes details about rival teams and production • Christi and Kelly’s honest take on favoritism and team dynamics • The moments that didn’t make it to TVWhether you’re a longtime fan of Dance Moms or discovering it all over again, this episode of Back to the Barre is packed with insight, humor, and the kind of honesty that keeps audiences coming back for more.

THE TEA ☕We're back, we went to Washington D.C., and we finally figured out what a selfie stick says about your influencer era. (Spoiler: Kelly is thriving.)WHAT WENT DOWNFirst things first — Kelly got a Pro Max and we need to talk about it. The home button is gone, the cameras are fancier, and somewhere out there, Abby's iPod Nano is still buried under McDonald's wrappers in the back of a car. From there, we took a trip to Capitol Hill because we were invited to the Support is Care Summit — a nonpartisan advocacy effort focused on making sure cancer patients get whole person support, not just medical treatment. Financial help, childcare, caregiver resources, acupuncture — the stuff nobody tells you about when you're in the thick of it. Kelly got real about how her emotional support has actually been harder after treatment than during it, and hearing other people say the same thing out loud was a moment. If you or someone you love has been touched by cancer, please look up Support is Care. Also: Christi does not like acupuncture. She doesn't like foreign things in her body. We explored the full philosophical implications of this, given certain choices she has made. Moving on.Then we learned two Gen Z words from Clara and her friends on the way to a Florence and the Machine concert. You're welcome in advance. Chud (rude, ugly, unintelligent — basically, don't be one) and fit-mogging (when someone's outfit is so good it upstages yours). We are educating the masses.And THEN — we watched Vanderpump Villa, and we are here to expose it. Not recap it. Expose it. These people did not arrange those flowers. There is an entire production team. Nobody is casting someone hot enough to sleep with the guests AND talented enough to build a centerpiece, and we know this because WE LIVED IT. The cheese plates at Kelly's house? Producers. The stakes ($50K this season, $30K last) exist to make you care — same reason every Dance Moms episode had a pyramid. We see you, producers. We respect it.Stassi is there to drive the story because she has nothing to lose and knows exactly what she's doing — Lisa does the same thing but in an English accent and with more plausible deniability. Dad Talk does not need to be there. Jordan needs to kiss Marciano on the mouth for giving him a storyline. Hannah had a lot going on with that lip gloss. Somebody was always spying on somebody, and the cameras were already set up. Ekansu literally walked away from a fight and said they got what they wanted — girl, SAME. Also Stassi's sister Georgie showed up to announce she's moving to L.A. during the Dad Talk episode. Call us in six months when the spinoff trailer drops.

Come see us live!! www.x1entertainment.com/bttbTell us YOUR Dance Moms watch traditions here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/154503107/Leave us a message: www.speakpipe.com/backtothebarre"This one is a doozy. We just need to get into it and I’m just telling everyone right now, if you’re drinking for contradictions you are going to be schmamered." And it's not just Abby fueling the contradictions this week as all the moms try and get in on the action. It really is a case of "Oops! All Contradictions".What better way to start a contradiction heavy episode than with something that feels just as jarring, forgoing Pyramid until later in the episode! In "Video Killed the ALDC Star" we open with Abby overseeing Kendall's music video shoot. Much is made about how Nia has been excluded from the shoot and that Holly and Nia "have made their beds and now must sleep in them" which you'll quickly tire of hearing by at least the third time it's mentioned. But Nia shrugs off Abby's words when confronted directly, rightfully understanding it's more of an Abby problem than a Nia problem.Nia's music video shoot by comparison goes over terrifically well, but the moms find a way to make an issue out of it anyways. First it's over the fact Holly waas posting too much about it... which yeah her daughter is shooting a music video wouldn't you be proud? Jill claims Holly is just trying to rub it in their faces... like no really what is this? That's clearly not what's happening but I guess the moms really just are that competitive at all times. But things get worse when Aubrey O'Day jazzes Nia on socials by claiming they're making the best ALDC member music video to date, then the moms start to get truly apocalyptic with Holly. Jill claims Aubrey's post is a direct insult towards Kendall and demands Holly apologize. Except the moms never would expect the same of Abby whose more outwardly hostile than Aubrey and directly insulted Nia before the shoot and continues to do so after!What's equally funny is the moms claim to be angry they weren't invited to Nia's shoot despite the fact Abby deliberately orchestrated it so they couldn't. Even if that wasn't the case, THEY WERE ACTUALLY INVITED! The moms turn down Holly's offer to, get this, get matching tattoos?!?!?! Did we know Melissa and Jill had matching tattoos? This is news to us! Do they still have them? We demand answers!Will all this bickering over music videos lead to a weaker than average showing at competition? Well was it a good idea to give a solo to Kendall when she also had to shoot a music video the same week?Quotes“I was trying to explain to someone that every episode of Dance Moms is exactly the same. So we can’t remember what they’re fighting about because they’re all the same! -christi" (05:52-06:01 | Christi)"Abby is physically incapable of [showing support for Nia], because she is Ursula. She steals talent from children. She cannot celebrate a child unless it benefits her." (39:48-40:03 | Christi)“Now [Abby] is once again this episode, creaming her jeans. I believe for the third time. It’s a very jean cream heavy episode. Ugh. Jill creamed her jeans… I think Holly might have even creamed her jeans during Nia’s video. Oh god. Holly creamed her jeans. Holy s**t! We had a Holly jean cream moment. Never in my life did I think I’d say those words." (1:13:49-1:14:16 | Christi & Kelly)“There’s no walls here yet. So we have a trophy but we don’t have a wall. I’m thinking you could have left those at your hotel room for a couple weeks." (1:34:29-1:34:37 | Christi)LinksSubscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC50aSBAYXH_9yU2YkKyXZ0w Subscribe to our Patreon: www.patreon.com/backtothebarreThank you to Ashley Jana for allowing us to use Electricity!! Follow her on IG HERE: https://instagram.com/ashleyjanamusic?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Download Electricity HERE: https://music.apple.com/us/album/electricity/1497482509?i=1497482510

Come see us live on tour! www.x1entertainment.com/bttb