Maddie Ziegler
Mackenzie and Maddie Ziegler won’t star on the new season of “Dance Moms,” which will result in their former coach looking for their replacement. The sisters are pictured at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, on Aug. 18. Getty Images

If you thought Maddie Ziegler’s absence on the new season of “Dance Moms” would mean a fresh change of pace for the stars of the Lifetime series, think again.

Lifetime’s second trailer for Season 6B, which premieres Sept. 6, shows Abby Lee Miller searching for a new dancer to replace her former star student.

“An integral part of this team is not here,” Abby tells her remaining elite junior team member in the promo. Following the leave of Maddie, 13, and her 12-year-old sister Mackenzie Ziegler last season, Abby announces she’s seeking a new leader for the group. “Who is going to be the next Maddie?” she asks.

While Abby will be looking for a new star, the moms are confident their daughters don’t need the Sia music video lead in the group to win. “I think they’ve proved that they don’t need her,” Brynn Rumfallo’s mom Ashlee says. Kalani Hilliker’s mother, Kira Girard, seems to agree, saying Abby needs to instead focus on training her students, but that doesn’t stop the ALDC (Abby Lee Dance Company) coach from bringing back her mini team.

First introduced in the first half of Season 6, several of the mini dancers and their mothers will return for the new episodes. “Sometimes it takes tiny feet to fill big shoes,” the promo teases. While the young performers appear to be a big hit with Abby, the longtime dance moms are not pleased with their return.

“I’m not letting mothers of 7 years old degrade our children,” Kira warns before screaming at one of the new mothers to “get out!”

Ahead of the series’ premiere, Lifetime has also released a full synopsis for the upcoming installment. And it appears that, once again, Abby’s legal issues will be major storyline.

#DanceMoms returns for its sixth season with new episodes, new dance moves and of course, the infamous Abby Lee Miller. With her LA studio now open for business, Abby is determined to ensure her team won’t have another dismal competition season. In a move to keep her empire alive and grow new stars, Abby makes the controversial decision to form a new Mini Elite Competition Team that will learn from the older girls. With Abby’s legal woes on the horizon, will the Abby Lee Dance Company be able to get back on top?

“Dance Moms” Season 6B will kick off at 8 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 6, with a “Girl Talk” special. Host Jai Rodriguez will return to talk to the reigning stars and the new mini team members. Episode 21, “Return of the Minis,” will follow at 9 p.m. EDT on Lifetime.

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