Abby Lee Miller Opens Up About Missing 'Dance Moms' Reunion Due to Kids' Avoidance

Abby Lee Miller Was Absent From Dance Moms Reunion Because Kids Cant Face Me

Abby Lee Miller Bruce Glikas/Getty Images

Viewers who watched Dance Moms: The Reunion earlier this month noticed that Abby Lee Miller was missing. In a recent interview on “Just B With Bethenny Frankel,” Miller, 58, shared her belief that her former students can't stand to be around her.

Miller shared with Frankel that she believes the kids avoid facing her because they realize they owe their current success to the show.

Former students of Miller gathered for a Lifetime reunion special to discuss their experiences on the show and reflect on their lives since then. JoJo Siwa, Brooke and Paige Hyland, Kalani Hilliker, and others expressed their mixed emotions about the teaching methods used at Miller's dance studio. Hilliker, now 23, mentioned that Miller's tough approach actually influenced her own style as a dance teacher.

She mentioned that there were many things Abby did as a dance teacher that she disagreed with, so she chooses to do the opposite.

During her appearance on Frankel's podcast, Miller disagreed with being labeled as a "toxic" taskmaster. She pointed out that several generations from the same family sought her guidance at her studio.

Brooke and Paige Hyland’s mother used to be part of my original competition team. She stayed at my studio, then left, got married, had kids, and brought them to my studio when they were just 2 years old.

I mentioned that all the dancers at Abby Lee Dance Company had the freedom to go to other studios in Pittsburgh, but mine was considered the best. I also shared with Frankel that I have sent 25 dancers on to Broadway shows throughout my career.

She claimed that the show portrayed her as a "down and out, podunk, heavy-set dance teacher" who only screamed at her students, but interviews with cast members and other revelations have cast doubt on this assertion.

Miller's last show on Lifetime fizzled out during the pandemic after former Dance Moms star Adriana Smith accused her of making racist remarks during their time at the studio.

Miller shared that she has become more relaxed over the years, even after facing challenges like cancer and a prison sentence.

In 2019, she mentioned, "I don’t let things bother me as much as before. Dealing with the moms can be tough, but I’ve learned to control my temper better."

Editor's P/S:

Abby Lee Miller's perspective on her former students' avoidance sheds light on the complex dynamics that often arise in mentor-student relationships. Miller's belief that her students owe their success to her guidance highlights the power of influence and the lasting impact that teachers can have on their pupils' lives. However, it also raises questions about the boundaries of that influence and the potential for it to become manipulative or controlling.

Miller's defense of her teaching methods as not being "toxic" is a subjective assessment that contradicts the experiences shared by some of her former students. The fact that several generations from the same family sought her guidance suggests that her studio provided a valuable training ground for aspiring dancers. However, it is important to consider the wider context of the competitive dance industry, where intense pressure and a focus on winning can lead to questionable practices. The revelations of racist remarks and the accusations of emotional abuse from former students raise concerns about the well-being of the young dancers who entrusted their development to Miller's care.