STUDIO Bleu Dance Center — known to fans as the hub for the reality series Dance Moms: A New Era — has come under fire for not issuing refunds to customers after abruptly canceling classes.
The U.S. Sun can exclusively report former customers are outraged over the Ashburn, Virginia dance studio allegedly not offering refunds for classes before the business suddenly closed its doors.
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Last week, The U.S. Sun exclusively reported Studio Bleu was seemingly no longer operating and had allegedly been vacant for weeks after filming the Hulu series.
Fans flooded social media, questioning what happened to the famed studio, which was listed as "permanently closed" on Google, ahead of the show's premiere on August 7.
A calendar posted on Studio Bleu's website shows dozens of classes scheduled weekly throughout this year and next.
However, a former customer exclusively revealed to The U.S. Sun that summer classes and camps weren't going on as scheduled.
Read More on Dance Moms
CUSTOMERS' DEMANDS
They initially ranted about the changeup in a Yelp review, claiming they were notified that classes were canceled, though they were not told why, and that they would be contacted the following week to reschedule.
However, a customer confirmed to The U.S. Sun that they did not hear back from Studio Bleu despite it having been weeks since the cancellation.
The customer also allegedly paid $335 for the summer dance camp, which the parent disputed with the credit card company after getting radio silence from Studio Bleu about a refund.
The U.S. Sun exclusively obtained a copy of the dispute from the customer, which states Studio Bleu has until September 17 to contact the bank before a refund could be issued.
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Other parents who previously sent their children to the dance school also complained online about its costly programs.
Dance Moms: A New Era star Glo Hampton’s studio shuts down after filming premiere season as customers are left enraged
"The costumes for many dances and outrageous fees... became too much for us personally and I know a lot of parents in similar situations. The costs alone were just not justified," one ex-Studio Bleu member wrote in a popular thread.
Some claimed they decided to take their kids to other studios where former Studio Bleu dance instructors now teach.
According to Studio Bleu's website, tuition rates range from $850 a year for one class per week to $3,700 for unlimited weekly classes.
Private classes are even more of an expense, ranging from $900 a year to $1,850.00 a year for 30 minutes a week of instruction.
The Cast of Dance Moms: A New Era
Dance Moms: A New Era premiered on Hulu on August 7
- Glo 'Miss Glo' Hampton
- Ashlan and mom, Lisa
- Audrey and mom, Tammy
- Bellatrix and mom, Roxce
- Isabella 'Smiley' and mom, Domenica
- Leilah Bell and mom, Leslie
- Lily and mom, Corinne
- Gina and mom, Jing
- Mina and mom, Min
Additionally, each customer is required to pay a registration fee, and late fees are charged if tuition is not paid by the due date.
Studio Bleu also notes on their website that its six-week summer programs are "non-refundable," though it does not stipulate if this changes if classes are canceled.
The U.S. Sun reached out to owner Kimberly Rishi about the refunds and studio's alleged closing, but hasn't heard back.
Glo Hampton also did not respond to The U.S. Sun's request for comment.
A NEW ERA
Kimberly has been seen on Dance Moms: A New Era alongside dance teacher Glo, and business appeared to be booming despite its supposed reality offscreen.
The 10-episode series follows Glo, her junior elite dance team, and their mothers as they travel the East Coast for competitions.
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It piggybacks off of the original Lifetime series, Dance Moms, which featured controversial Pittsburgh dance teacher Abby Lee Miller as she led her young dancers to dozens of first-place victories.
The show primarily became known for Abby's harsh teaching style and the moms' drastic efforts to get their kids on top.
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