Dance Moms: The Reunion 2024
The reunion will premiere on May 1st. In this two-hour special, JoJo Siwa, Chloe Lukasiak, Brooke Hyland, Paige Hyland, Kendall Vertes, Kalani Hilliker, and their moms will reflect on their time on Dance Moms. The show's popularity stems not only from dancing, but also from moms fighting, yelling at one another, and Kelly's famous slap on Abby Lee Miller.
Some former students, including Maddie Ziegler, Kenzie, and Nia Frazier, chose not to attend the reunion. In the trailer, Jojo Swia stated that they had "eased" their past by declining to attend the reunion. Abby also stated in an ET interview that those who distance themselves from her should feel ashamed for doing so, leaving Abby feeling betrayed and hurt.
Nia Frazier did not attend the reunion due to college obligations. Maddie and Kenzie decide not to attend, distancing themselves from Abby for mental health reasons. Despite not attending the reunion, fans have been talking about the feud surrounding the show.
Abby Lee Miller's Bankruptcy Fraud
Throughout the six seasons of Dance Moms, Abby often praised Maddie and encouraged other students to be like her. Students described their experience on the show as unhealthy Abby was frequently yelling or throwing insults. Even so, Maddie left the show in 2016, admitting to a news outlet that she had planned to leave earlier before her contract expired.
Not only was Abby favoring Maddie and constantly yelling at her students, but she was also involved in illegal activities behind the scenes. In 2010, she declared bankruptcy, claiming she had only $8,000 in her bank account. However, authorities discovered Abby's secret bank in 2015. It was also discovered that she had not reported her actual earnings from "Dance Moms," estimating it to be $775,000.
To avoid reporting her real earnings, Abby hired a friend to carry $10,000 in foreign currency into the country in plastic bags. Abby Lee Miller got sentenced to 366 days in prison, two years of supervised release, and penalty fees.
Aside from bankruptcy fraud, Abby Lee Miller has a history of mistreating her students, as evidenced by a lawsuit filed by former student Paige alleging daily verbal abuse, which was later dismissed. Maddie, Abby's favorite, stated that she had distanced herself from her because her experience with Dance Mom was "toxic," and that she is "at peace" now.
Commentary: Dance Moms: The Reunion 2024
When I was an emo teenager, I used to binge-watch Dance Moms ALL THE TIME because of all the yelling, fighting, and drama from angry mothers left and right. I remember even watching the show and being embarrassed when my guy friends caught me watching it.
Now that I am an adult, I understand why some of Abby's former students wanted to leave Dance Moms in the past and distance themselves from their dance teacher, Abby Lee Miller. I understand why they refuse to speak with Abby, as she would constantly mistreat the them verbally and insult them based on their appearance.
Throughout the show, I saw a lot of favoritism among the stars, particularly Maddie Ziegler. Maddie was pressured to be perfect in every way, which I think is too much for a child to bear. So I completely understand why Maddie feels "at peace" without Abby in her life.
I Strongly disagree with Abby's statement on ET News, saying her former students who stopped talking to her should be ashamed for not sending her a thank-you card or acknowledging her. This is because no one is entitled to anything; this was a harsh reality I had to learn a long time ago. It's perfectly okay to distance yourself from someone who has hurt you in the past and move on without them.
Commentary: Jojo Siwa's Remarks
I also don't understand JoJo Siwa's remarks, in which she said that those who chose not to attend the reunion had "eased" their past, specifically Maddie, Kenzie, and Nia. Jojo not only criticized her friend Nia on the show, who never disrespected her, for missing the reunion, but she also has friends with people who have mocked her and done awful things.
Jojo is a celebrity is who I lost respect for after her defending Colleen Ballinger for child grooming. At this point, I believe Jojo is trying way too hard to please others by remaining friends with people who have wronged her not once, not twice, but several times. Being friends with the wrong crowd is not a good look. Once a snake, always a snake, which I hope Jojo understands someday.
E.g., Jojo is still friends with Colleen Ballinger, a child groomer who was caught sending minors sexually explicit images. Jojo is friends with James Charles, who mocked her music video, Karma's Bitch, on TikTok. Lastly, Jojo remains friends with Kendall and Kalani, who once mocked her in front of an audience.
I think Jojo was being ingorant and even disrespectful when she said that the girls who weren't at the reunion, like Nia, had "eased" their past. Nia is my favorite one on the show because she prioritizes her own well-being by going to school, maintaining her grace while being compassionate, and remaining true to herself rather than trying to please people.
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