Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition
Michelle and Amanda Kelly of Rochester Hills, Mich.
will be on Lifetime's new reality show, premiering Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.
Thirteen-year-old Amanda will be competing along with 13 other dancers, ages six to 13, for a $100,000 cash prize and a scholarship to the Young Dancer Program at the Joffrey Ballet in New York.
The show, headlined by Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller, is hosted by MTV's Kevin Manno. Judges include Miller, Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin and celebrity choreographer Richard Jackson, a la Lady Gaga. Produced by the makers of Dance
Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Moms, Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition follows a new format, although it too has a mother/dancer component.
Opportunity of a 'Lifetime'
Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Rochester Hills dancer will appear on national TV show(Rochester Hills, Mich., Oct. 8, 2012) -- When Michelle Kelly first received a telephone call offering her daughter, Amanda, a chance to audition for Lifetime's new reality show, Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, the mother of three was hesitant.
Why?
She wasn't sure she wanted her 13-year-old subjected to the harsh glare of the national television spotlight. Was Amanda up for a potentially harsh 'reality'? Was Michelle?
The show, by the producers of Dance Moms, isn't a spinoff show, but one that would put a new twist on the elimination dance competition format.
"It sounded like a wonderful opportunity for Amanda, but I tend to be a behind-the-scenes mom," Michelle said. "For this show, I'd have to be part of the action. I didn't know if I could do it."
Once Amanda heard about the show, Michelle's reservations became irrelevant.
"Amanda wouldn't take 'no' for an answer," Michelle said. "She's been dancing since she learned to walk and in the spotlight just as long. She has won local, regional and national competitions. She loves the stage and she really wanted a shot at fame."
So off to New York the pair went. After a round of interviews and a trip to Los Angeles, Amanda had her chance. She just had to dance better than thousands of other hopeful dancers.
So she did.
Amanda and 13 other finalists will now compete on national television for the ultimate prize - fame -- and $100,000 plus a scholarship to the Young Dancers Program of The Joffrey Ballet in New York.
How far did she go in the elimination competition? Did she win? Mums the word!
You'll have to watch to find out. The first episode airs on the Lifetime Television Network on Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.
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Amanda's
Most Recent Titles
* Miss Teen Star Systems, Las Vegas Nationals 2012
* Miss Teen Star Systems, Detroit Regionals 2012
* Miss Junior Star Systems Las Vegas Nationals 2010
* Miss Junior Dance Masters of Michigan 2010.
Amanda has won many titles and crowns over her dancing career. She trains at Juliana’s Academy of Dance in Madison Heights.
