Born to Dance

Review

Common Sense Media says

Dance contest pushes contestants with positive messages.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this show stresses the positive side of competition and downplays conflict with minimal language slips. That said, the choreography tends to be sexy (but with an emphasis on powerful movements), and some dancers wear skimpy clothing. There's also some consumerism when dancers do a commercial for a Kenmore vacuum cleaner and compete to dance in a Lady Gaga tour.

  • Positive messages3
    The show emphasizes mentoring and training as a means to improve a dancer's technique -- and their life. Competition is important, but it isn't cutthroat. Dancing is presented as a positive way to manage stress and exhibit power.
  • Positive role models5
    The dancers who've made it this far are talented, but above all they've worked hard and competed with passion. Many have inspiring stories that help them stay focused. As a mentor, Laurieann models genuine compassion and concern, along with a desire to help dancers become even better than they already are.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex1
    Some dancers have a penchant for skimpy costumes, and the choreography is sexy and powerful.
  • Language2
    Rare use of words like "damn," etc.
  • Consumerism2
    In one episode, the dancers do a commercial for the Kenmore Intuition vacuum. They also compete to dance with Lady Gaga on her "Monster Ball" tour.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

After whittling down a pool of hopefuls to just 20 dancers, celebrity choreographer Laurieann Gibson is putting each to the test with her trademark tough love to see who was BORN TO DANCE. Ultimately, one dancer will win $50,000 in support of her professional dance career and be chosen to join Gibson's "Team Boom Kack" dance group.

Is it any good?

 

Laurieann Gibson is well known in the dance world for her tough-love tactics and snappy catch phrases, including the audible "Boom-Kack!" she uses to punctuate her choreography. She entered the realm of reality TV in a supporting role to P. Diddy, whipping would-be pop stars into shape on Making the Band, and eventually launched her own mix of dance and behind-the-scenes drama with The Dance Scene.

But with Born to Dance, she makes far better use of her considerable talents as a teacher and her palpable desire to mentor young girls who seem to remind her a lot of herself.

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the world of professional dancing and the qualities you need to succeed in the business. According to Laurieann's criterea, what are the most important traits a dancer should have? What separates a good dancer from a stand-out star? What do you think makes a good dancer?

  • Why does the dance world tend to favor slender body types? Is the bias merely aesthetic, or do dancers who are "thick" (as Laurieann describes them) have physical limitations that smaller dancers don't have?

  • Do you prefer reality TV with a more cooperative edge, or do you miss the conflict? What's the appeal of watching people get into heated arguments on camera?

This review was written by Kari Croop

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by Kari Croop
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:BET
Cast:Laurieann Gibson
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Kari Croop
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Other dance shows worth your time
For kids who love inspiring shows
Browse more TV
 

vote now

Will you see Born to Dance?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it