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Abby Lee Miller

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Abby Lee Miller
Miller in October 2022
Born
Abigale Lee Miller[1]

(1965-09-21) September 21, 1965 (age 59)[2]
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation(s)Dance instructor, television personality, choreographer, studio owner, author
Years active1980–present
Criminal information
Criminal statusReleased
Conviction(s)
Criminal penalty1 year and 1 day in prison (paroled after 8+1⁄2 months)
Date apprehended
October 13, 2015

Abigale Lee Miller (born September 21, 1965) is an American dance instructor, choreographer, studio owner, television personality, and author who founded the Abby Lee Dance Company. She appeared on the reality television show Dance Moms from 2011 to 2019.

Early life

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Abby Lee Miller was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1965, to Maryen Lorrain Miller (née McKay; 1927–2014),[3] a dance teacher and studio owner, and George L. "Salty" Miller (1927–2000).[4][5]

Career in dance and studios

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Miller grew up around dance in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, a Pittsburgh suburb, studying under her mother's direction at the Maryen Lorrain Dance Studio.[6][7] In 1980, Miller formed the Abby Lee Dance Company, a dance team at her mother's studio. Miller eventually took over the studio in 1995 and renamed it Reign Dance Productions.[7] Miller opened a Los Angeles location in 2015. It was closed and sold in 2017 in light of Miller's prison sentence. Miller has since relocated her LA studio to a much smaller space, including one dance room and a merchandise shop. In December 2022, it was announced that Miller's Pittsburgh studio had been permanently closed. It was subsequently sold and repurposed into a bus lot and daycare.

Miller became certified by Dance Masters of America[7] and became a member of Dance Masters of Pennsylvania Chapter #10 in 1986,[8] but her membership was terminated in February 2012, with DMA saying Miller's reality-TV show Dance Moms was "a total misrepresentation of our dance educators and their students and is detrimental to the dance profession.".[9]

Career in reality television

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In 2011, Miller began appearing in the Lifetime reality television show Dance Moms.[10] Miller appeared on the show for eight seasons through September 2019. [11] Dance Moms follows the training and careers of children in dance and show business under the tutelage of Abby Lee Miller as well as the relationships between Miller, the dancers, and their often bickering mothers.

Three spin-offs of Dance Moms are Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition,[12][13] which ran for two seasons and 22 episodes;[14] Dance Moms: Miami; and Dance Moms: Abby's Studio Rescue. The latter ran for only 7 episodes.[15] Miller has also been a guest judge on Dancing with the Stars.[16][17] In 2014, Miller published a book, Everything I Learned about Life, I Learned in Dance Class.[12]

In 2015, Miller opened a new studio set up in Los Angeles called ALDC LA.[18] In March 2017, Miller announced she had quit the series.[19][20] In July 2018, Miller announced her return for season 8 of Dance Moms.[21] Dance Moms: Resurrection premiered June 4, 2019, on Lifetime.[22]

In 2016, Miller appeared on The Eric Andre Show's season 4 premiere.[23]

Miller announced on Instagram on May 4, 2020, that she will be leaving Dance Moms and Lifetime after nine years.[24]

There are rumors of the show's return on a new network, facilitated by Miller in an interview with Pop Crave.[25]

Racism allegations

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On June 2, 2020, Miller posted a black square to Instagram on Blackout Tuesday in response to the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. This caused Adriana Smith, the mother of Dance Moms season 8 dancer Kamryn, to share on Instagram that she and her daughter left the show because of their experience with Miller. "A statement from her that sticks in my mind to this day during my time on DMS8 is 'I know you grew up in the HOOD with only a box of 8 crayons, but I grew up in the Country Club with a box of 64—don't be stupid.'" Smith wrote on Instagram.

On June 3, 2020, another Dance Moms mother, Camille Bridges, accused Miller of treating her daughter Camryn differently because of her race and that the environment was "extremely hostile". She told E! News via e-mail that Miller "tried to spin Camryn as being the poor one and there on scholarship. She would say the most terrible things on camera. It was a traumatic experience that I wish on no one."[26]

Miller has since deleted her Black Lives Matter post and on June 4, 2020, she issued an apology to "Kamryn, Adriana, and anyone else I've hurt", saying, "I realize that racism can come not just from hate, but also from ignorance. No matter the cause, it is harmful, and it is my fault. While I cannot change the past or remove the harm I have done, I promise to educate myself, learn, grow, and do better. While I hope to one day earn your forgiveness, I recognize that words alone are not enough. I understand it takes time and genuine change." Reposting Miller's apology, Smith said that she did not accept it because she did not think it was sincere. "I also fully support and standby Nia Frazier [Sioux], Camryn and Nicaya [Wiley] as well as any others who have been victims of racism at the hands of Abby Lee Miller or in the industry," Smith wrote.[27]

It was announced that on June 5, 2020, Lifetime decided to sever ties with Miller as a result of the allegations of the racist remarks she made. The network canceled the Abby's Virtual Dance-Off competition reality series, which was announced in April and was slated to debut in summer 2020. Miller also will not be returning to Dance Moms if the series is renewed for a ninth season.[28]

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On December 4, 2010, Miller filed for bankruptcy after owing more than $400,000 in back taxes to the IRS.[29] Soon afterward, she was hired for Dance Moms, with filming beginning on April 6, 2011. Episodes began airing in July 2011, and Miller's financial situation improved.

Miller began to encounter numerous legal problems in 2014. Paige Hyland sued Miller, charging assault. The suit further claims the show's producers encourage a violent and combative atmosphere on the show as a way to attract viewers.[30] A $5 million lawsuit was filed against Collins Avenue Entertainment for staging disagreements that ended in a fight between Kelly Hyland and Miller.[31] Paige Hyland also filed an emotional distress lawsuit against Miller.[32] The claims were dropped on the emotional distress lawsuit. Some indignities Miller inflicted upon her students that the lawsuit highlighted included bullying, throwing a chair at a student, pinching a student until she bled, and referring to a student of color as a "little tootie".[33]

While no lawsuits officially were filed, Maddie Ziegler, former Dance Moms star, has made it clear where she stands with Miller. To quote Ziegler, "I've blocked out so much of my childhood that I actually don't know what my life was like, even, just before working". Miller taught Ziegler, along with all of the girls, negative life lessons, and made the Ziegler family feel guilty for trying to leave the show for three seasons.[34]

On October 13, 2015, Miller was indicted by the DOJ for fraud for creating a secret bank account between 2012 and 2013 used to hide income from masterclasses, TV deals, and merchandise sales, in addition to failing to file required monthly reports of income with the bankruptcy court for 13 months. She was indicted for bankruptcy fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets and false bankruptcy declarations in hiding some $755,000.[35][36] If found guilty, she could have faced a fine of $250,000 for each of the 20 counts she was indicted on (collectively $5,000,000) and five years in prison.[37] She pleaded not guilty in November 2015.[38] By February 2016, the case was delayed a fifth time.[39] Shortly after her indictment, she was charged with customs fraud relating to undeclared cash from Dance Moms Australia master class tour. Miller reached a deal with the IRS criminal investigators to enter a guilty plea to reduced charges on June 27, 2016.[40]

Sentencing was originally set for October 11, 2016.[41] It was postponed three times: first to January 20, 2017;[42] then to February 24, 2017;[43] and finally to May 8, 2017.[44]

On May 9, 2017, after a two-day hearing, Miller was sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release.[45][46][47][48][49][50] Miller also paid a $40,000 fine, a $120,000 judgment and gave a DNA sample relating to her felony charge.[51]

On July 12, 2017, Miller reported to the Victorville Federal Correctional Institution in Victorville, California, to begin serving her prison sentence.[52][53]

On March 27, 2018, Miller was transferred to a Long Beach, California halfway house to complete her sentence.[54] After receiving time off for good behavior, she was released on May 25.[55]

Personal life

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Miller has never been married and has no children, quoting that she "loved the studio more than family".[56] In April 2018, she was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer, after spinal surgery. In September of that year, Miller's lymphoma went into remission and she began physical therapy to relearn how to walk.[57]

As of 2024, she uses a power wheelchair for mobility.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Ove, Torsten (January 19, 2017). "TV star faces sentencing in federal court". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  2. ^ Miller, Abby Lee (July 15, 2014). Everything I Learned about Life, I Learned in Dance Class. Harper Collins. p. 8. ISBN 9780062304889. I was born in 1965.
  3. ^ NIKKI PENA (February 21, 2014). "Obituary: Maryen Lorrain Miller / Dance instructor; Stars in'Dance Moms' star". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  4. ^ "Abby Lee Miller's Mother, She is the Original Dance Mom, Dies At Age 86". International Business Times. February 10, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  5. ^ "My Dad, George L. Miller died on Father's Day in 2000 – I miss him every single day. Here's to all the dance dads everywhere!She was a very a Karen". instagram.com.
  6. ^ "Abby Lee Miller Biography: Reality Television Star, Choreographer (1966–)". Biography.com (FYI / A&E Networks). Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c "Faculty > Abby Lee Miller, Owner/Director". Abby Lee Dance Company. Archived from the original on March 3, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  8. ^ "Members". Dance Masters of Pennsylvania Chapter #10.
  9. ^ "Dance Masters of America Dumps Abby Lee of 'Dance Moms'". DSL Dancewire. February 29, 2012. Archived from the original on July 9, 2014 – via Dance Studio Life.
  10. ^ Watch Dance Moms Season 1, Catch Up TV. Retrieved June 20, 2024 – via www.9now.com.au.
  11. ^ "Dance Moms (Lifetime)". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  12. ^ a b "'Dance Moms' Star Melanie Huelsman Speaks Out About Abby Lee Miller Book Signing Drama, Why Haley Joined The Candy Apples". International Business Times. by Rebecka Schumann April 9, 2015
  13. ^ "Staten Island studios star on Abby Lee's 'Dance Moms' this week; 'World Class' status awaits?". Staten Island Live.
  14. ^ "Watch Online Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition – Watch Series". watch-series-tv.to. Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  15. ^ "Dance Moms: Abby's Studio Rescue". myLifetime.com. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  16. ^ "'Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller Guest Judges 'Dancing With the Stars,' Upsets Pro Dancers". The Hollywood Reporter/
  17. ^ Locker, Melissa (May 6, 2014). "Dancing with the Stars Watch: Abby Lee Miller Brings Her Dance Moms Magic". Time. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  18. ^ "Dance Moms star Abby Lee Miller's huge Aussie dummy spit" Archived July 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. News.com. au.
  19. ^ Patten, Dominic (March 27, 2017). "'Dance Moms' Host Abby Lee Miller Says She's Exiting Show As Jail Time Looms". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  20. ^ Swift, Andy (March 27, 2017). "Abby Lee Miller Quits Dance Moms". TVLine. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  21. ^ "Abby Lee Miller Returning to 'Dance Moms' for Season 8 – And Is Currently Casting Talent! (Exclusive)". www.msn.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  22. ^ "Watch Dance Moms: Resurrection Premieres June 4 Clip – Dance Moms". Lifetime. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  23. ^ "Watch The Eric Andre Show Episodes and Clips for Free from Adult Swim". Adult Swim.
  24. ^ Levine, Daniel. "Abby Lee Miller Leaving 'Dance Moms' and Lifetime After 9 Years". PopCulture. Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  25. ^ "Abby Lee Miller teases new, 'different' season of 'Dance Moms'". New York Post. October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  26. ^ Vulpo, Mike (June 3, 2020). "Dance Moms Stars Speak Out Against Abby Lee Miller Over Alleged Controversial Remarks". E! News. NBCUniversal. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  27. ^ Gumbs, Alisa (June 6, 2020). "Lifetime TV Drops the Curtain on 'Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller After Racist Remarks". BLACK ENTERPRISE. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  28. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 5, 2020). "Lifetime Severs Ties With Abby Lee Miller, Cancels 'Virtual Dance-Off' Series". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  29. ^ "The Truth About 'Dance Moms': 8 Shocking Facts About Abby Lee Miller's Hit Lifetime Series". International Business Times. April 15, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  30. ^ "Abby Lee Miller of Dance Moms Sued for Assault by Teen Student". People. By Andrea Billups October 10, 2014
  31. ^ "'Dance Moms' Lawsuit Results: Judge Sides With Abby Lee Miller, Kelly Hyland's Emotional Distress Claims Tossed". International Business Times. November 18, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  32. ^ "Charges Dropped Against Dance Mom Who Slapped Coach Abby Lee Miller". April 3, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  33. ^ Schumann, Rebecka (June 19, 2014). "'Dance Moms' Coach Abby Lee Miller's Parenting Advice Book Gets Official Release Date". International Business Times. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  34. ^ Mohammed, Leyla (September 11, 2023). ""Dance Moms" Star Abby Lee Miller Reflected On Her Strained Relationship With Maddie Ziegler And Said There's Still "A Lot Of Ugly Darkness" There". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  35. ^ "'Dance Moms' star Abby Lee Miller indicted on fraud charges". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
  36. ^ "Case 2:15-cr-00212-NBF". United States Department of Justice. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  37. ^ Messer, Lesley (October 14, 2015). "'Dance Moms' Star Abby Lee Miller Indicted for Fraud". ABC News. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  38. ^ "Ib times". International Business Times. March 31, 2016.
  39. ^ Schuman, Rebecka (March 31, 2016). "Abby Lee Miller's Legal Problems Continue As 'Dance Moms' Star Delays Fraud Trial Again". International Business Times. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  40. ^ Patten, Domonic. (June 27, 2016) "'Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller Smuggled $120K & Faces 2.5 Years In Jail After $5M Fraud Case Guilty Plea, Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  41. ^ Patten, Dominic (June 27, 2016). "'Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller Smuggled $120K & Faces 2.5 Years In Jail After $5M Fraud Case Guilty Plea". Deadline. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  42. ^ "Abby Lee Miller's Sentencing Gets Delayed To 2017". Reality Tea. November 1, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  43. ^ Patten, Dominic (February 22, 2017). "'Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller Gets 11th-Hour Reprieve In Fraud Case Sentencing". Deadline. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  44. ^ Patten, Dominic (February 24, 2017). "'Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller Faces Jail With New Final Sentencing Date In Fraud Case". Deadline. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  45. ^ Patten, Dominic (May 9, 2017). "Ex-'Dance Moms' Host Abby Lee Miller Sentenced To Prison In Fraud Case". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  46. ^ Maslow, Nick (May 9, 2017). "Dance Moms star Abby Lee Miller sentenced to prison". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 12, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  47. ^ Schnurr, Samantha (May 9, 2017). "Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison". E! News. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  48. ^ Mandak, Joe (May 9, 2017). "Ex-'Dance Moms' star Abby Lee Miller gets 1 year in prison". ABC News. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  49. ^ Dugan, Christina (May 9, 2017). "Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller's Sentenced to 1 Year, 1 Day in Prison for Bankruptcy Fraud Case". People. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  50. ^ Patten, Dominic (May 9, 2017). "Ex-'Dance Moms' Host Abby Lee Miller Sentenced To Prison In Fraud Case". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  51. ^ Dugan, Christina (May 9, 2017). "Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller's Sentenced to 1 Year, 1 Day in Prison for Bankruptcy Fraud Case". People. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  52. ^ "Abby Lee Miller Reports to Prison Where She Will Serve a 366-Day Sentence for Bankruptcy Fraud". People. July 12, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  53. ^ Signorini, Renatta (July 19, 2017). "Imprisoned ex-'Dance Moms' star Abby Lee Miller gets Lifetime special". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  54. ^ Dugan, Christina; Strohm, Emily (March 27, 2018). "Dance Moms' Abby Lee Miller Released from Prison After 8 Months, Transferred to Halfway House". People. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  55. ^ Hipes, Patrick (May 25, 2018). "Ex-'Dance Moms' Star Abby Lee Miller Released From Halfway House". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  56. ^ "Does Abby Lee Miller Have a Daughter? Find Out!". In Touch Weekly. July 26, 2017.
  57. ^ Heller, Corinne (April 21, 2018). "Abby Lee Miller Speaks Out After Initial Cancer Diagnosis". E! News. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
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