All 10 episodes of the new season of “Dance Moms” dropped yesterday on the Hulu streaming channel — and as many area residents know — the entire season was shot in Ashburn and focuses on the Studio Bleu dance school on Ashburn Road.
The latest incarnation of the long-running reality show is “Dance Moms: A New Era.” For some behind-the-scenes scoop, The Burn spoke with our old friend, Roxcé Castillo, who is one of the featured moms on the program.
Castillo lives in Ashburn Farm with her husband and children. That includes 12-year-old Bellatrix who is one of the featured dancers on “Dance Moms.” Bellatrix is a rising seventh grader who has been a student at Studio Bleu since the age of 4.
Here are excerpts from our conversation with Castillo:
==========
Q: What did you think when you heard “Dance Moms” was coming back and going to focus on Studio Bleu?
“I still can’t believe it has happened. Me and Bellatraix are actual fans of the show. We’ve actually watched it for years. We would lay down in bed and watch it and say — ‘Can you imagine if we were part of that show’ — and just giggle.”
Q: Did you and Bellatrix know immediately you wanted to be involved in the show?
“I spoke with Bellatrix. She was like, ‘Mama, we have to do that. We have to do that.’ But I said, “Hold on — there is more to it. There is a whole process before we say yes.’ But she was excited for it.”
Q: Were you concerned at all? “Dance Moms” is known for its drama and sometimes less than model behavior.
“I wasn’t too concerned only because that drama was Abby (the teacher on previous seasons of “Dance Moms”). This was me and one of my best friends (Lisa, another one of the local dance moms) and Glo (Glo Hampton, the teacher at Studio Bleu). I know how Glo is with the girls. She’s firm and she’s fair. She really loves these girls so much. I wasn’t worried that much about that. I was more worried about certain moms because I knew most of them.”
Q: Who provided the most drama — the girls or the moms?
“The moms. It’s called “Dance Moms” for a reason.”
Q: In the trailer (watch it below), you see a physical altercation between you and another mom. Without any spoilers, what happened there?
“It’s one of my best moments. You have to watch it. But I don’t know how to keep my mouth shut. I stand up for people. I’m not the type to hold back.”
Q: Have you watched all the episodes yet? What do you think of how you and Bellatrix were portrayed?
“I’m only on Episode 5. It’s literally who we are. When I saw it, it was like perfection. I’m not a flashy person. I don’t live in a mansion. I live in my beautiful apartment that I love. Me and my husband work really hard to provide for our kids. I was really grateful that it showed who I was. People ask if it’s scripted and its not — it’s who we are.”
Q: You recently went to New York City with some of the other families and the girls saw themselves on a digital billboard in Times Square. What was that like?
“It’s such a special moment. In your wildest dreams, you never think you’re going to be on a billboard in Times Square. Bellatrix just smiled and said, ‘I can’t believe this.’ She’s so happy.”
Q: What’s next for Bellatrix? What’s next for her dance career?
“Right now, she’s literally sitting on the couch bingeing the show. We will take it day by day and see what doors open for her. Right now, she’s just trying to soak this all in and enjoy the ‘right now.’ We don’t know what is going to happen. I’m open to anything for her.”
==========
The door is also open for the local families to return for another season of “A New Era” if ratings are strong. In the meanwhile, there’s no clear answer on whether the actual dance studio — Studio Bleu — would be a part of it. The status of the studio is currently unknown — with lots of rumors circulating.
We do know that a number of teachers have left to start their own studios and arts centers. And the spaces on Ashburn Road where Studio Bleu was located are officially listed as “available” to be leased.
