On the Dance Moms episode “Out With Abby, In With Chloe,” with ALDC founder and choreographer Abby Lee Miller on her way to prison, the dance moms bring in world-renowned choreographer Laurieann Gibson to step in for Abby while she’s doing her time. They didn’t choose a choreographer who wears kid gloves, that’s for sure. One mom says, “There’s a difference between mean and tough.” Abby Lee Miller laughs, “And you thought I was mean!”
Canadian-born Gibson was trained at the prestigious Alvin Ailey Dance Company before becoming a Fly Girl dancer on In Living Color (video below), and choreographing the 2003 film Honey (she also played Katrina, Jessica Alba’s dance nemesis). In 2005, Gibson teamed up with rapper/music mogul P. Diddy Combs and his Bad Boy Records, and in 2005 they continued working together on the MTV reality show Making the Band. Gibson is also known for choreographing for Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj, among others. Gibson is listed as a co-director of Lady Gaga’s “You and I” music video below. Dance Moms airs Tuesdays at 9pm on Lifetime.
