Shivangi Sinha
Studio Bleu was front and center in season 1 of Hulu’s ‘Dance Moms: A New Era,’ but season 2 brought a major shift with the spotlight moving to Glo Hampton’s Project X Dance Company. The change came after Studio Bleu unexpectedly closed its doors, leaving fans curious about what might have led to its shutdown. There was a lot of speculation and rumors and Hampton tried to address some of them during the season. What’s certain is that Project X stepped in to fill the gap and became the new competitive home for the dancers.
Studio Bleu Closed Before the First Season Premiered in 2024
Just before August 2024, when ‘Dance Moms: A New Era’ season 1 premiered, fans began speculating about the status of Studio Bleu, owned by Kimberly “Kim” Rishi. Online listings indicated that the studio was permanently closed, raising concerns among parents who alleged they had already paid for classes but never received refunds after the shutdown. Multiple reports surfaced highlighting these complaints, and although the studio’s website continued to advertise its summer programs, customers said no classes were actually held. The controversy brought significant negative attention, and Studio Bleu faced a lot of flak in the media.
In Season 2, Glo Hampton alleged that Studio Bleu had shut down due to financial mismanagement and had closed far more abruptly than anyone expected. While there have been ongoing speculations, ranging from allegations of unpaid staff to soaring operational costs that became unsustainable, none of these reasons have been officially confirmed by the studio or its former leadership. Their social media accounts have remained inactive since July 2024, and by late 2024, many of the studio’s teachers had moved on to other companies or begun offering independent classes. Studio Bleu remains closed and non-operational today, though the full story behind its shutdown still remains unclear.
Project X Dance Company Has Taken Over Studio Bleu’s Space
In December 2024, Gloria Hampton, one of Studio Bleu’s former lead choreographers, launched her own company, the Project X Dance Company. She took over the very same Ashburn, Virginia, space previously occupied by Studio Bleu and rebuilt from the ground up. Hampton retained most of the dancers featured on the show, forming her Project X Elites team, which quickly became the central focus of season 2. As a brand-new studio, the dancers had to work twice as hard to prove themselves, but Hampton’s expertise and strong leadership, paired with the full-time involvement of her daughter, choreographer Kaeli Ware, helped the company grow rapidly and gain early momentum.
