Agree with you on Jill . Abby actually called her to come audition for the show . Abby was also well known in the dance community not reality tv famous of course . HOWEVER , the girls moms are NOT under contract to Abby , but to the show . Kalani Brynn are still Club Dance Studio members . Abby actually has NO say in who is on the ' dance moms team ' that is all production . The girls in season 1 had their own real groups they danced with outside the show Mackenzie with the minis , Brooke with the olders , the rest together which was why it was mentioned a few times by Kelly that Brooke was bored dancing with the young girls . Which was why season 4 and ' will Abby replace my daughter ? ?' was such a joke because they were all under contract and not going anywhere and Abby had no say in it all . Abby tried to get rid of Christi in season 1 after she verbally assaulted Melissa and her in the dressing room making Maddie Mackenzie sob but was unable to which is why in the next episode Abby is giving her a new contract and Brian executive producer is visible beyond the window with Abby ' s mom . You ' re right that Abby would still be there without the moms , for if they hadn ' t been cast it would have been different moms different kids for it was Abby ' s studio Abby as choreographer .