PENN HILLS (KDKA) — The hit reality show “Dance Moms” on Lifetime is shot locally at a dance studio in Penn Hills.

It’s about a handful of local mothers and their daughters who dance at the Abby Lee Dance Company, competing to win national titles. But tempers flare and it can get nasty at times.

Dance rehearsal at Abby Lee’s studio is a lot like what you see on the show.

Owner Abby Lee is tough on her dancers, and she doesn’t hold back, but it’s the dance moms who create the real drama.

Christi Lukasiak, whose daughter, Chloe, is one of the stars in the company, says she’s just being herself.

“I’m not the kind of person to keep quiet and keep it to myself, so I let Abby know, which may not make for the easiest work environment,” says Lukasiak.

Melissa Gisoni and her daughters, Maddie and Mackenzie, are also featured in “Dance Moms.”

“The drama between the moms is definitely real, but you don’t see everything that happens. It’s all in the editing,” Gisoni said.

Now, the girls and their moms have become celebrities with fans all over the country.

“We were going up an escalator at the mall, and girls were going down the escalator and they were like taking pictures of us and were like, ‘I love you,’” said 7-year-old Mackenzie.

Chloe says the girls really are friends; it’s the moms who create the drama.

KDKA asked Abby Lee why she thinks the show’s a hit.

“I’d like to attribute it to me, but I hope it’s the dancing,” said Abby Lee.

Despite how some may be portrayed on television, they’ve all signed up for a second season.

“I’m proud to be a dance mom, I support my daughter,” Lukasiak said. “[It’s] no different from a football dad or a soccer mom. The only real difference is our girls are wearing rhinestones and fake eyelashes.”

Earlier today, Abby Lee and the producers for Lifetime held open auditions to be one of the new featured mom and dancer on the show. The new season starts in January.

For more information on the auditions and the show, visit the links below:
AbbyLeeDanceCompany.com
Facebook.com/DanceMomsonLifetime
Phone Number: (412)-621-2329

RELATED LINK:
More Entertainment News