Rhinestones and Rants

Rhinestones and Rants

Welcome to Rhinestones & Rants, where the glitz of the dance world meets the real talk of industry and a dance mom who lived it every day. This podcast isn’t just about perfect pirouettes and dazzling costumes—it’s about the raw, unfiltered journey of raising dancers, navigating the competitive scene, and balancing the chaos of life beyond the studio. Each episode dives into the heart of industry secrets and behind every amazing dancer is dance mom life with humor, honesty, and a little bit of sparkle. From the backstage battles over costume rhinestones to the emotional rollercoaster of competition season, no topic is off-limits. Expect lively discussions, behind-the-scenes stories, expert interviews, and listener call-ins where real moms share their experiences—the good, the bad, and the tutu-clad tantrums.

Episodes

September 3, 2025 60 mins

Not every opportunity in dance is safe.

From “free” photoshoots to sketchy ambassador deals, predators know how to play the game.

⚠️ In this must-see episode, Alyssa Better & Vicky Inger expose the red flags every parent an dancer needs to know.

🎬 LIVE Premiere: Wed 9/3 @ 8AM PT | 11AM ET

👉 Subscribe + hit 🔔 so you don’t miss it.

#WhenFreeIsntFree #DanceSafety #RhinestonesAndRants #ProtectOurDancers #DanceParentsUnite #Dance...

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THIS. IS. IT. 👑✨ Brian Friedman: PART 2. Does he know the power he holds over a room? Oh, he knows and today, so will you. ⚡ LIVE PREMIERE: TODAY, 8AM PT / 11AM ET ⚡ 👉 Join the chat. Witness the legend. Be part of history. #BrianFriedman #DanceLegends #DanceIcons #RhinestonesAndRants #BrianUnleashed #PremiereDay #ChoreoLegend #IconEnergy

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🚨✨ THE WAIT IS OVER ✨

🚨 The legend. The icon. The choreographer who redefined pop culture. BRIAN. FREAKING. FRIEDMAN. 🎤💎

From Britney to Beyoncé, Bieber to the biggest stages on earth, Brian has shaped the dance world as we know it. And NOW… he’s telling ALL.

🎬 LIVE PREMIERE

📅 Wednesday 8/20 — 8AM PT | 11AM ET

💥 Be there. Be loud. Be part of history.

⚡ PLUS: This story is SO HUGE, it’s a 2-PART SERIES.

Part 1 → Aug 20 - 8am ...

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She doesn’t just train dancers. She makes global superstars. Quinn Callahan: The visionary behind The Rock Center for Dance has built a legacy that stretches from the first barre to the biggest stages in the world.

Now, she’s pulling back the curtain on: 💎 What it really takes to rise to the top 🌱 Why she started The S.E.E.D. Program to give every dancer a shot 🔥 The grit, the heart, and the unstoppable drive behind the icons

🌱...

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She didn’t inherit it. She didn’t stumble into it. Toni Ricci built Elite Dance Center with grit, guts, and a whole lot of glitter. In this week’s episode of Rhinestones and Rants, we sit down with the powerhouse behind one of the most iconic studios in the competitive dance world and the woman beside her shaping the next generation of artists: Keli Adams, Elite’s fearless Director of Dance. From Broadway stages to award-winni...

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If you know dance, you know Millennium Dance Complex. The bold red logo. The iconic LA backdrop. The world-class choreographers. The Instagram-famous combos. It’s a household name in the dance world.

But do you know the woman behind it all?

In this electrifying and emotional episode of Rhinestones and Rants, we sit down with Anne-Marie Hudson, the powerhouse CEO and founder of Millennium Dance Complex and let me tell you, this is n...

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From preschool plot twists to pirouette-filled paths, this dance journey started with one unexpected stage moment. One Danced to Greatness. The Other Had the Breast Intentions.

🎧 Full tea in Episode 5

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What does it really take to raise a boy in the world of competitive dance? In this raw, heartfelt, and unfiltered episode, we sit down with Scott and JoAnne Morales — the powerhouse parents behind dance sensation Gavin Morales.

From 6-hour round trips for 5-minute auditions to navigating a world not built for boys in ballet shoes, the Morales family’s journey is one of grit, sacrifice, and unconditional love. Scott opens up about h...

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This week on Rhinestones & Rants, I sit down with the legendary Brooklyn Jai, choreographer to the stars and mentor to the next generation.

From Lizzo to 3LW, Soul Train to BET Awards, Brooklyn shares the raw truth behind the grind, the glory, and the grit it takes to make it in the dance industry.

We talk passion, purpose, and the power of showing up, moment by moment, class by class.

💎 If you’re in the world of dance (or jus...

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✨ It’s LAUNCH WEEK and we’re going strong!

www.rhinestonesandrants.com is UP — and so is Episode 3! 💻🎉

“A Dance Daughter’s Journey: In Time with Cameron Suckle” 💃🎓

Some stories don’t just leave a mark — they leave a rhinestone trail straight to your heart. 💎

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I sit down with someone I’ve known since she was little: the fierce and resilient Cameron Suckle.

Cameron just graduated...

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🚨 It’s LAUNCH WEEK, and our website is officially LIVE! 💻🎉

RhinestonesAndRants.com is up and so is Episode 2 of the podcast! 💃

When does a dancer know it’s time to step off the stage and step into leadership?

For Maia Suckle, it wasn’t one big moment — it was quiet nudges, hard lessons, and one powerful push that led her to open her own studio. 👠➡️📋

🎙️ In this episode of Rhinestones & Rants, Maia spills what really g...

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🚨 NEW PODCAST ALERT!

The wait is over our glitter-soaked, truth-telling, no-fluff dance podcast is officially LIVE! 🎙️✨

💎 Episode 1: Plié or Runaway? How to Choose the ‘Perfect’ Studio

We’re kicking off the debut of Rhinestones & Rants with glitter, grit, and brutally honest studio talk:

🩰 How do you know it’s the right fit?

🚩 What red flags should have you running in your jazz shoes?

💸 And how do you avoid getting ...

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Ever wonder what it’s really like to grow up backstage, living that comp kid life with rhinestones in your roots and dance bags as your carry-on? 👯‍♀️🩰

Cameron Suckle is pulling back the curtain and she’s not sugarcoating a thing. From the pressure to be perfect to the pride of living the studio life, this is a raw, honest look into the world of the dance daughter. 👑 It’s emotional. It’s empowering. It’s everything you didn’t kn...

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Former studio owner Maia Suckle is pulling back the curtain and let’s just say, it’s not all pirouettes and praise. 💅

We’re talking hard truths, high drama, and the kind of real talk you won’t hear at parent meetings. 💃 From glitter to grit, this episode brings it all.

✨ This is just a teaser, the full episode drops Thursday, July 10th!

💎 Subscribe now because the tea is piping, the sparkle is sharp, and the truth?

It’s read...

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This Wednesday, Rhinestones & Rants takes the stage with Episode 1: 💥 Plié or Runaway? How to Choose the 'Perfect' Studio 💥

Toxic culture. Red flags. Glitter-covered truth bombs. Guest Vicky Inger doesn’t hold back—and neither do we. 🎙️💬

🩰 Dance parents, dancers, and anyone deep in the industry: You need to hear this.

🎧 Make sure you're subscribed. The sparkle starts Wednesday. ✨

#RhinestonesAndRants #PodcastCountdown #Da...

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July 4, 2025 1 min

What’s it like growing up in the studio spotlight and in the shadow of a studio owner that happens to be your mom? 🌟 Cameron Suckle gets real about life as a “dance daughter,” balancing pressure, passion, and personal growth. 👯‍♀️💬

This heartfelt convo is one every dance family needs to hear. 🎙️💖

🎧 A Dance Daughter’s Journey: In Time with Cameron Suckle, dropping Friday July 11! #RhinestonesAndRants #DanceLife #foryou #Compet...

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July 3, 2025 1 min

Think you know what really goes on behind the scenes at a dance studio? 👀 In Episode 2 of Rhinestones & Rants, Maia Suckle pulls back the curtain and opens up about the highs, lows, and harsh truths of running a competitive studio. 💬💃

This one’s raw, real, and a must-listen for every dance parent, teacher, and industry insider.

🎧 Behind the Curtain drops Thursday, July 10! #RhinestonesAndRants #DanceStudioLife #StudioOwnerT...

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Hey everyone!

It’s officially ONE WEEK until the launch of Rhinestones and Rants! 💎💬

Our very first episode drops next Wednesday, July 9th, and it’s called “Plie or Runaway – How to Pick the Perfect Dance Studio.” Whether you’re just starting out or knee-deep in the dance world, this one’s for YOU.

✨But here’s the bonus! As a surprise, we’re dropping THREE episodes to kick things off:

📍 Tuesday, July 9: Episode 1 – Plie or Runaw...

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 Coming Soon: Rhinestones and Rants Where the rhinestones sparkle… and the truth stings. Get ready for the podcast that pulls back the curtain on the real world of competitive dance. Hosted by Alyssa Better, dance mom, industry insider, and queen of calling it like it is. Rhinestones and Rants dishes on all the glitter, grit, drama, and dedication that comes with raising dancers in today’s world. Whether you’re a seasoned studio ...

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June 25, 2025 1 min

I’m beyond excited to finally share my latest passion project with you, Rhinestones and Rants, a brand-new podcast launching July 9th!

After 17 years as a dance mom, I’ve seen it all, the good, the bad, the sparkly. If I only knew then what I know now, things might’ve looked a lot different. So I created this podcast to pull back the curtain on the real world of dance with raw conversations, expert guests, and stories that every d...

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