Abby Lee Miller remains one of the most revered names in reality television thanks to her eight seasons on Lifetime’s “Dance Moms.” Now, years after the show ended its run, she maintains a contentious relationship with several former contestants and their mothers, and recently made harsh comments about those she deemed ungrateful.
Miller appeared on KTLA in August 2026. During the interview, she was asked whether there was anything she’d like to say to the former “Dance Moms” stars with whom she no longer maintains contact. The 60-year-old responded, “Yeah, I think they’re just very ungrateful. I think the girls themselves, [have said it’s] toxic the show and their memories, this that and the other thing and all their therapy — whatever.”
After that, she stated that the series played a significant part in the success of many of its former stars. According to her, “They would not be where they are today without the show. Someone should learn to say thank you.”
She then doubled down, claiming, “I don’t even think they would be where they are without me,” adding, “Forget the TV show.”
The Former ‘Dance Moms’ Star Highlighted Her Success Stories
Miller continued sharing her honest opinion of the former students of her dance studio whom she considered ungrateful, highlighting the many who have achieved success and value the lessons she taught them.
She said, “I have a lot of successful students. I have a kid on Broadway, another director-producer-choreographer on Broadway. I have kids that are out there working in the industry constantly. They got their education at the Abby Lee Dance Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are grateful, and they are proud.”
Miller went on, “If their parents would’ve sent them to any other studio in town, they would not be where they are today. I don’t think the girls have really put that together yet. Maybe someday they will.”
The Hit Lifetime Series Ended In 2019
“Dance Moms” premiered in July 2011, with the show following Miller instructing a group of young dancers and navigating the often challenging relationships with their respective mothers. In total, the series ran for eight seasons before ending in September 2019, with 224 episodes.
Years later, in May 2024, Lifetime aired a two-hour reunion special featuring some of the most notable names from the series. Some included Jojo Siwa, Brooke Hyland, Chloe Lukasiak, and Paige Hyland. Notably, Miller was not present for the reunion.
In the same month, Miller appeared on the “Just B” podcast, stating that she believes she wasn’t invited to the reunion because the girls couldn’t “face” her. She also said, “They know they would never be where they are today if it wasn’t for the show.”
In defense of her studio, Miller added, “(Kelly Hyland) left, got married, had kids, brought them to my studio at 2 years old, and stayed until the show started. So my point is, if this was so toxic for all these kids, why did they come back at 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and 7?”
She went on, “The kids came back. There were other studios in town. Mine was the best.”
Former Cast Member Nia Sioux Spoke Against Abby Miller And The Show
Former “Dance Moms” contestant Nia Sioux published a memoir, “Bottom of the Pyramid: A Memoir of Persevering, Dancing for Myself, and Starring in My Own Life,” in 2025. In it, she spoke openly about her experiences on the show, including what she considered to be problematic behavior from Miller.
Regarding the book’s title, she told PEOPLE that it came because “a lot of people knew me for being at the bottom of the pyramid week after week.”
Sioux added, “I felt like my story wasn’t told the way it should have been told, and what better way to reclaim that title and turn it into a positive than naming my book ‘Bottom of the Pyramid?’” Regarding her experience with the show, Sioux felt that she was often “ostracized for not fitting into an aesthetic that wasn’t designed for girls like her.”
She also shared that being the only black dancer on the series “had lasting effects.’ The author continued, “That is something that is part of my story and my journey. A lot of girls of color have been through these sorts of experiences. It’s important to share diverse stories and stories from people of color, especially when it comes to talking about racism and being the token Black girl.”
Abby Lee Miller Remains Very Active In The Dance Community
The Abby Lee Dance Company is still in operation, although its former Pittsburgh location has been sold. Nowadays, Miller operates out of a studio in Los Angeles and teaches various online courses.
Additionally, she hosts the “Leave It On The Dance Floor” podcast and has a live event scheduled for August 23 in Long Island, New York, at the CM Performing Arts Center.
