As previously reported, Abby Lee Miller claims she’s had it with Dance Moms.
The cantankerous, law-breaking host shared a lengthy statement on Instagram yesterday in which she blasted the show’s producers for all the ways they’ve mistreated her of late.
Before speculating on who will take her place, it’s worth posting her irate diatribe once again, just in case you missed it the first time.
Here is how Miller resigned from the post she’s held for seven seasons:
The majority of children that follow me may be fast asleep, however now is the critical time to make the following statement: I WILL NO LONGER TAKE PART IN DANCE MOMS.
FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS/ SEVEN SEASONS I HAVE ASKED, BEGGED, AND EVEN DEMANDED CREATIVE CREDIT FOR ALL THE IDEAS, AWARD WINNING ROUTINES, THEMES, AND COSTUMING – TO NO AVAIL!
Wait… she wasn’t done.
There were many more capital letters to go.
I don’t have a problem working with any kid, I love children and have dedicated my life to making other people’s children successful!
I JUST HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BEING MANIPULATED, DISRESPECTED, AND USED – DAY IN AND DAY OUT BY MEN WHO NEVER TOOK A DANCE LESSON IN THEIR LIVES AND TREAT WOMEN LIKE DIRT!
Miller has not followed up this announcement with any kind of clarification.
She is due to be sentenced on May 8 for bankruptcy fraud, after the reality star entered a plea of guilty last year to charges that she hid assets from the government.
So you’d think Miller would be more desperate for cash than ever before.
But Lifetime is moving on without her for the time being.
Dance Moms had been renewed for an eighth season earlier this year and “the show will continue shooting,” an insider tells Entertainment Tonight, adding:
“The producers hope Abby returns to lead her team.”
It certainly seems possible that this is a negotiation tactic.
Miller may very well be playing her own game of chicken, hoping producers blink and she earns a raise as a result of her threat to depart the program.
But Lifetime isn’t about to just sit back, do nothing and find out.
“It’s a go with or without Abby,” this same source tells Entertainment Tonight of Dance Moms Season 8.
How will this work, however? Who will take over if Miller really is a goner?
ET reports that celebrity choreographer Laurieann Gibson is next in line teach the group of girls in place of Miller.
“She filmed with the girls for three weeks,” a mole tells ET of Gibson, who has experience in front of the camera.
Production on the next set of Season 8 episodes is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, with the assumption being for now that Gibson will be in charge, not Miller.
Abby complained to OK! Weekly last month about the costume budget on the show, referring to one of the producers as a “asshole” in her rant to the tabloid.
Those who watch Dance Moms online have seen just how angry Miller can get, although she actually sounds fairly relaxed when it comes to her upcoming sentencing.
“I try to stay positive and happy,” she told ET a little while ago about the potential of going to jail for 10 years.
She even admitted at the time:
“I know I made some mistakes along the way, but I’ve pleaded to all those. Maybe I need a few months’ vacation.”
SIGH.
Just because you’ve pleaded guilty, Abby, doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.
There are still consequences to your illegal actions… and they do not include a vacation.
Unless you simply mean time away from the people you see regularly in your life. If so, then yes, absolutely: you may soon be in for a very long “vacation.”