Make It or Break It is an American television series created by Holly Sorensen. The one-hour drama premiered on ABC Family on June 22, 2009, and lasted three seasons. This fictional series is centered around four teenage gymnasts as they train for the Olympics at the Rocky Mountain Gymnastic Training Center, also known as The Rock. The show features various characters, including the gymnasts' families, employees at The Rock, and workers at the local hangout, the Pizza Shack.
Main characters ActorCharacterCountSeasons123 Chelsea Hobbs Emily Kmetko 36 colspan="2" colspan="1" Ayla Kell Payson Keeler 48 colspan="3" Josie Loren Kaylie Cruz 48 colspan="3" Cassie Scerbo Lauren Tanner 47 colspan="3" Candace Cameron Bure Summer Van Horne 41 colspan="2" colspan="1" Neil Jackson Sasha Belov 36 colspan="2" colspan="1" Anthony Starke Steve Tanner 35 colspan="2" colspan="1" Peri Gilpin Kim Keeler 40 colspan="2" colspan="1" Susan Ward Chloe Kmetko 39 colspan="2" colspan="1" Johnny Pacar Damon Young 22 colspan="2" colspan="1" Chelsea Tavares Jordan Randall 8 colspan="2" colspan="1" Dondre Whitfield Coach McIntyre 8 colspan="2" colspan="1"
The Rock Sasha Belov (played by Neil Jackson) is the new coach at The Rock who replaces Marty Walsh after he moves to Denver. Sasha is the only Olympic gymnast to have ever defeated Marty and has four Olympic gold medals. He has a strict coaching style but also deeply cares for his gymnasts and wants them to reach their full potential. Sasha's coaching methods include rigorous training exercises as punishment, and he is known for his compassion and support, particularly towards Emily's mother and Payson during her recovery from surgery. Previously, Sasha had to quit coaching after a tragic incident in which a gymnast died from a head injury under his supervision. This is his first coaching job in over five years. He briefly dates Rock manager Summer despite their differing beliefs, but later leaves The Rock because he believes his presence is detrimental to the girls. However, he returns after being visited by Payson, Lauren, and Emily in Romania and eventually becomes the coach of the US Worlds Gymnastics team. In the end, there are hints of a possible reconciliation between Sasha and Summer. Summer van Horne (played by Candace Cameron Bure) is Steve Tanner's ex-girlfriend and former assistant. She shares with Lauren that she had a promiscuous past before finding faith and refers to herself as "the school slut." After breaking up with Steve, she develops a close relationship with Lauren, acting as a maternal figure. Summer is the current manager of The Rock and lives her life based on her Christian beliefs, which often amuse and frustrate Sasha. There is a romantic tension between Sasha and Summer, leading to an inappropriate kiss and a passionate kiss later on. However, they mutually agreed to break up before Sasha's departure from The Rock. Summer eventually reunites with Steve, and they plan to get married. However, when she discovers Sasha's stance on Emily's pregnancy, she decides to marry someone who shares her moral views and accepts Steve's proposal. After a revelation about Lauren's actions, Summer leaves Steve and Lauren once again. She later returns to support Lauren when she undergoes open heart surgery. In the series finale, there are indications of a potential reconciliation between Sasha and Summer as they discuss regrets and possibilities. Kim Keeler (played by Peri Gilpin) is the mother of Payson and Becca. As a no-nonsense stay-at-home mom, Kim provides stability and moral guidance for her family and those around her. She often advises Payson on issues related to beauty and femininity. Kim works as a manager at The Rock alongside Summer van Horne. Although she took a break at one point, she later resumed her role as the gym's manager. Kim ran for the Rock Board but faced a setback when a secret about her daughter was revealed.
Kmetko family Emily Kmetko (played by Chelsea Hobbs) joins The Rock as the newest member after being recruited by Marty, who noticed her practicing at the YMCA in Fresno. Despite the rule against having a job, Emily works nights and weekends at The Pizza Shack to help support her family, in addition to her gymnastics training. She develops a romantic relationship with Damon, her coworker at The Pizza Shack and an aspiring songwriter. Emily's gymnastics career faces challenges when she is arrested for stealing her brother's medication during a seizure. She later loses her virginity to Damon, but they break up a few weeks later. At the Hungarian meeting, Emily discovers she is pregnant with Damon's child due to not using protection. She decides to quit gymnastics rather than have an abortion, as advised by the national chairman. Emily then moves to Las Vegas to live with her godmother, cherishing the memories of her time in gymnastics. Although she does not appear in Season 3, her name is mentioned three times. Chloe Kmetko (played by Susan Ward) is Emily and Brian's mother. As a free-spirited individual, Chloe became a teenage mother when she got pregnant with Emily and has struggled to fulfill the responsibilities of motherhood ever since. While deeply devoted to her daughter and occasionally displaying insightful moments, Chloe has faced financial challenges and difficulties in caring for her special-needs son and emotionally sensitive daughter. She initially works at a beauty salon but later becomes a bartender at a strip club. Chloe enters into a relationship with Steve Tanner, whom she met anonymously online, but they eventually break up due to Emily's discomfort with Steve financially supporting her family and Lauren's concerns about Chloe trying to replace her mother. When Emily becomes pregnant, Chloe advises her on the challenges of being a teenage mother and suggests having an abortion to pursue her dreams. Tearfully, Chloe witnesses Emily's departure to Las Vegas after deciding to keep the baby and makes her final appearance while closing the family's account with The Rock. She expresses her best wishes for her daughter and describes motherhood as a "hard but beautiful life." Brian Kmetko (played by Wyatt Smith) is Emily's younger half-brother and one of her strongest supporters. He uses a wheelchair and has a seizure disorder for which he requires medication. Brian is a kind and supportive brother to Emily.
Keeler family Payson Keeler (played by Ayla Kell) is a highly skilled female gymnast at The Rock and ranks among the top gymnasts in the country. She is known for her dedication and determination in pursuing her gymnastics career. Payson initially feels betrayed when Marty leaves The Rock, but she supports Sasha as the new coach and appreciates his strict coaching style. During Nationals, she sustained a lumbosacral fracture from a fall during her uneven bars routine, which is believed to be a career-ending injury. This setback leads Payson to give up on her dreams and transition to a regular school, where she struggles to adapt and befriends a group of less motivated students. However, her family learns about an experimental surgery that offers the possibility of a full recovery. Despite her parents' concerns, Payson undergoes the surgery and successfully recovers. However, her physical changes require her to adapt her previous power-oriented style of gymnastics. With Sasha's guidance, she develops a more artistic approach and earns a place on the World Team. During her training, Payson develops a crush on Sasha and impulsively kisses him, but he rejects her advances. Payson realizes her mistake and apologizes to Sasha, who understands the situation. However, a manipulated tape of the kiss is sent to the National Committee, resulting in Sasha's retirement. Payson and Sasha reconcile after his return from Romania. Although Payson faces challenges at Worlds, she delivers a flawless vault and sticks the landing on one foot, showcasing her determination and skill. Payson is focused and determined, prioritizing her gymnastics career, but she also experiences romantic relationships with Max and later Rigo, with whom she loses her virginity. Payson appears in every episode of the series, along with Kaylie Cruz. Kim Keeler (played by Peri Gilpin) is the mother of Payson and Becca. As a no-nonsense stay-at-home mom, Kim provides steady guidance and serves as a moral support system for her family and others around her. She often offers counsel to Payson on topics related to beauty and femininity. Kim works as the manager at The Rock, taking a break at one point but eventually returning to her position. She runs for the Rock Board but faces defeat when a secret about her daughter is exposed. Mark Keeler (played by Brett Cullen) is the father of Payson and Becca. After losing his job in Boulder, he commutes to Minnesota for work. Mark is a caring individual who prioritizes his family's well-being. Becca Keeler (played by Mia Rose Frampton) is Payson's younger sister and a junior gymnast at The Rock. While not as focused or serious about gymnastics as Payson, Becca's improvement in the sport causes some jealousy from Payson.
Cruz family Kaylie Cruz (played by Josie Loren) is an accomplished gymnast at The Rock. Initially, she is in a secret relationship with fellow gymnast Carter, but they break up when she discovers his infidelity with her friend Lauren Tanner. Kaylie becomes the National Champion at Nationals, surpassing Kelly Parker. She develops anorexia as she becomes obsessed with losing weight to enhance her gymnastics performance. During the tryouts for the World's Team, she faints while performing on the balance beam and requires immediate hospitalization. Kaylie is selected for the team on the condition that she is medically fit to compete. While in rehab, she befriends a model named Maeve, who teaches her how to deceive the staff. However, when Maeve dies from anorexia-related heart failure, Kaylie realizes the severity of her condition and acknowledges that she needs help. Instead of speaking at Maeve's funeral, Kaylie performs a song with Damon in her honor. Upon being cleared to resume training, Kaylie rejoins The Rock and deliberates whether to disclose her eating disorder publicly. Eventually, she decides to share her story, although it receives criticism from an NGO. The team goes on to win gold at Worlds, and Kaylie enters into a relationship with Austin. Their relationship remains stable in Season 3 until Austin is cut from the men's team. He blames Kaylie for his performance and ends their relationship, leaving her heartbroken. Kaylie attempts to reconcile with Austin but finds his room empty, except for a box of items addressed to her. She realizes it's truly over between them and experiences deep sadness. However, Austin returns when Kaylie's drug test yields a positive result, jeopardizing her spot on the women's Olympic team. He comforts her, and they reconcile their differences. In the end, Wendy is removed from the Olympic team, granting Kaylie a place on the U.S. Olympic Women's Gymnastics team. Kaylie is the only character, aside from Payson, to appear in every episode. Ronnie Cruz (played by Rosa Blasi) is the mother of Leo and Kaylie. She had a successful singing career in the 1980s. Ronnie emphasizes to Kaylie the importance of not missing out on her dreams and advises her on love. She regrets not pursuing her own singing career further. Ronnie had an affair with Marty during his time as The Rock's coach, which led to her husband Alex moving out and filing for divorce. She co-manages Kaylie's press and displays a deep commitment to helping Kaylie during her battle with an eating disorder. Despite their troubled marriage, Ronnie and Alex still care for each other. Ronnie did not want a divorce, but she kept much of her feelings to herself and assured Kaylie it was for the best.