In an interview following a reunion with her TV co-stars, former 'Dance Moms' star JoJo Siwa calls out the producers for pressuring her to reconnect with former tutor.
- May 3, 2024
AceShowbiz - During the recent "Dance Moms: The Reunion" special aired on May 1, key figures from the iconic reality show, including JoJo Siwa and Chloe Lukasiak, gathered to unpack the intense and often controversial experiences they endured under the mentorship of Abby Lee Miller.
Amidst Miller's absence from the reunion, the event, as narrated in the heartfelt disclosures of the participants, revisited the profound impacts - both traumatic and empowering - that their dance coach had on their lives.
JoJo Siwa, who has previously openly maintained a positive relationship with Miller, expressed significant discomfort with the producers' insistence on her calling Miller during the reunion filming.
Siwa criticized the move as "shady," highlighting the complicated and, for some, painful histories between Miller and other girls such as Paige and Brooke Hyland. "There is real trauma there," Siwa remarked, underlining the emotional scars left by their former dance coach's rigorous methods.
Siwa refused to reconnect with Miller on the producers' terms because she respected and acknowledged each individual's journey through the show. "I'm not gonna do that to them," Siwa declared, emphasizing her protective stance towards both her own relationship with Miller and the well-being of her former co-stars.
Chloe Lukasiak, another notable participant in the reunion, shared her journey of overcoming the insecurities instilled by the manufactured rivalry with fellow dancer Maddie Ziegler, who was also noticeably absent from the reunion. Lukasiak's emotional recounting of moving beyond Miller's harsh words to find self-validation serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the show's stars.
JoJo Siwa, on the other hand, offered a nuanced perspective on Miller's tough love approach. Acknowledging the controversy her view might stir, Siwa conceded, "to me, Abby was always right." She argued that the sternness they encountered on the show imparted vital lessons for surviving the ruthless entertainment industry.
Meanwhile, in a separate interview outside the reunion, Abby Lee Miller talked about her controversial teaching methods, acknowledging that her approach may have been futile with students who lacked the innate talent she sought. "No matter how harsh I was on the kid, they weren't gonna get it," she added. "They just didn't have the talent. However, she insisted, "I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings."
The reunion special not only provided a platform for these dancers to voice their trials and triumphs but also painted a complex portrait of Miller's controversial methods. Through tears, retrospection, and heart-to-heart discussions, the "Dance Moms: The Reunion" carved a space for healing and offered a glimpse into the intricate dynamics of mentorship, rivalry, and growth in the unforgiving world of competitive dance.
