Ep 10. 3AM Girls: One Year Later

In season 3 episode 10 of Our America with Lisa Ling, titled "3AM Girls: One Year Later," Lisa Ling revisits three young women who work as exotic dancers in Atlanta, Georgia. The episode is a follow-up to a previous episode in which Ling explores the lives of these women, who work long hours in a high-pressure industry that is often stigmatized and overlooked by society.

One year later, Ling returns to Atlanta to find out what has changed for these women. She first meets with Taylor, a 21-year-old dancer who has been struggling financially since the pandemic began. Taylor shares that her income has decreased significantly due to COVID-19 restrictions and that she has had to make difficult choices to support herself and her son.

Next, Ling meets with Heaven, a 24-year-old dancer who has been able to save some money but still struggles with the emotional toll of working in the industry. Heaven shares that she has experienced trauma and abuse in her personal life and that she often uses drugs and alcohol to cope.

Finally, Ling reconnects with Diamond, a 23-year-old dancer who has been able to save a significant amount of money and is planning to retire from dancing soon. Diamond shares that she has been working hard to build a better future for herself and her family and that she is excited to start a new chapter in her life.

Throughout the episode, Ling explores the complex and often contradictory experiences of these women, who are often judged and stereotyped because of their profession. She highlights the resilience and strength of these women while also acknowledging the challenges they face.

Interspersed with interviews with the dancers, the episode includes footage from their work in the club, as well as candid conversations with their friends and family members. Ling also speaks with experts in the fields of psychology and sociology to provide context and analysis of the issues facing these women and others in the industry.

Overall, "3AM Girls: One Year Later" offers a nuanced and empathetic exploration of the lives of these young women and the challenges they face both inside and outside of their work. Ling's thoughtful and sensitive approach allows the women's voices to shine through and provides an important perspective on a often-misunderstood industry.