It’s the end of an era for Dance Moms fans, as reality show star Abby Lee Miller, founder of dance company Abby Lee Miller, announced on May 4, 2024, that she had not renewed her contract for the season 9.
The Lifetime series, which premiered in 2011 and helped launch Maddie Ziegler and JoJo Siwa, to name a few stars, explores the competitive dance community and their stage mothers. An important factor in the success of the program was Abby, who became famous for her strict training and the fights she had with the parents of her students. The reality series was drama with a capital D.
However, after eight seasons of goodness on reality television, Abby has decided to give up her throne. “Nine years ago, we were in AZ filming Dance Moms,” the coach captioned a throwback shot. “Satan put a pen in my hand insisting that I sign a contract!” She continued: “I was in the competition, literally in front of the stage, rehearsing a routine. I was a little busy! But the show must go on, right? I did my 8 seasons, 2 spin-offs, and now a new show of autonomous competition in the midst of our global pandemic.”
We’re not sure about the whole “Satan” thing, but we do know the real reason why Abby said goodbye to Dancing Moms.
Abby Lee Miller is focused on the future
Amy Sussman / Getty ImagesIt’s safe to say that Abby Lee Miller has been through a lot in life, having been diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma (a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer) in April 2018, just one month after serving a 366-day sentence of prison for serious bankruptcy fraud.
Abby may be hopeful for a fresh start after these struggles, as she hinted in her farewell message to amateur Dancing Mom. “Thank you Lifetime for an amazing career and all I have learned,” she wrote, adding: “But I have decided to go ahead and not extend my agreement. The next few weeks will be about exploring new projects in a new home. It’s an exciting time and more announcements to come!”
Another theory about Abby’s departure? She may have been having trouble with her contract. This issue came up when a fan suggested that Lifetime had disconnected the show, forcing the reality star to resign. “LifetimeTV had 8 months to start filming season 9 with an incredible cast of children and mothers,” she explained on Instagram.
“We were his second best-rated show! They kept extending my contract a few months at a time instead of asking for another season!”
Abby also denied breaching the contract, noting that her agreement had ended on April 30, 2024.
Speculation aside, we wish Abby Lee Miller the best as she navigates this new chapter.
Read Also: Things About The First Season Of Dance Moms That Seem Strange Now
