Dance Moms Cast on Where They Stand With Abby Lee Miller (Exclusive)

The cast of 'Dance Moms' chats with ET's Rachel Smith about where they stand with Abby Lee MIller ahead of the reunion speical, airing May 1 on Lifetime. JoJo Siwa and Kalani Hilliker reveal they're still in touch with their former dance teacher, and they've had contact with her recently. The cast also dicusses the transition from shooting the show to being a 'regular kid,' and the girls reflect on their relationships with their moms.

[mollym]

Kalani’s explanation is so much better than jojo’s. Jojo seems so dismissive of how Abby treated everyone. Kalani acknowledges how poorly abby treated them. She says she’s good with her, but still respects and validates her friends opinions of her as well.

[Kate-gqlu]

The original girls didn’t know what they were signing up for and that’s the biggest difference here. They were a group of kids attending dance class after school, to a studio they’d grown up in, and one day signed up to do a documentary series that actually turned into a 7 season reality show. They were forced into the industry. Not all the kids wanted fame and to become a star, some of them just wanted to be a normal kid and weren’t prepared for the industry life. Jojo and Kalani knew what they were getting into. Jojo isn’t wrong in what she’s saying, the industry, show business, Hollywood, it’s tough and there are a million Abby’s within it. But the OGs didn’t sign up for that, some of the girls did want to make it and did want to be stars, but some didn’t. Abby was already tough and I’m sure she believed even just running a dance studio that she was part of the industry, but when being offered an opportunity to really get into the industry came knocking she took it seriously and she became even more tougher and expected even more from the girls, not all of them wanted it. Half the reason Brooke and Paige got such a hard time was because Abby wanted them to work harder, they were working hard but they didn’t want to dedicate everything they had to the show. Jojo did, she knew what she was getting into. Abby was awful to the girls, and there isn’t an excuse, but the industry is like this it’s just not always recorded, it’s tough. However these girls were thrown into it and had no option but to put up with Abby’s treatment which got worse the more the season went on and the more they entered further into the industry.

[urfavshteditor]

This vid is a perfect example of the difference between Jojo and Kalani. Jojo says that Abby was always right, and doesn't acknowledge the trauma she put all the girls through. Kalani understands what they went though and doesn't justify it or ignore the other girls feelings. She still talks to her, but doesn't blame the others for not. Major respect to Kalani for this ❤

[chillguy]

My fav is still Chloe. Chillin in the back. Not looking for the camera or spotlight. Just Coolin. That’s my girl.

[Faithsmirrorball]

Why does it seem like Chloe is scared of jojo like she keeps looking at her 😭

[allisonlee]

Even if most of the girls don't speak to Abby, I'm sure they acknowledge that Dance Moms gave them the platform and made them stronger. Just because you move on or don't forgive someone doesn't mean you're not thankful.

[Sennario]

With peace and love, Jojo shouldn’t have been there being she had a very different experience coming in late whilst being a fan of the show

[hannahbananamontana]

Kendall's face looking fresh out of plastic surgery is killing me 😭😭💀

[PGOuma]

Brooke and Paige's aftermaths (and Chloe's) were my favorites because they were just chilling after that hectic show, experiencing the life that they were forced to miss out on.

[ulitra]

Kalani is my emotionally intelligent queen

[everenferno]

Karma’s a b- and she’s slapping Jojo right in the face LOL

[makaylaserrano]

Jojo and Kalani being there pisses me off and Kendall as well. (more so jojo) cause they didn’t know the Abby that Paige, Brooke and Chloe knew. They met the after-fame Abby, when the TV show was already running. Paige, Brooke and Chloe knew Abby since they were 2 and three years old, They got to see the REAL Abby, and that’s why they don’t thank her for everything as much as the other girls do. They were found WHEN Abby was found, they were not found BECAUSE of Abby, if that makes sense. So they have a right to be uncomfortable with Jojo, Kalani, and Kendall’s opinion because their relationships with Abby were very different.

[fuzzykyrra]

I wanna see a "Quiet On Set"-style documentary showing all the stuff we didn't see. I can't help but think there must unaired footage of Abby's poor behaviour that production felt was too harsh to show.

[MissGarland]

Jojo really doesn't like to hear anyone else talk, does she!

[happyblackwoman]

Jojo, you haven't been on the show for as long. Coming in as a fan, staying for less than 2 seasons, and leaving when you felt like it doesn't validate your opinion more than anyone else's

[aubrey]

Kendall needs to stop. The rest are aging beautifully.

[melissabrooks]

Our little Kendal is so beautiful, she looks just like her mom. I never knew why Jill got called a man on the show, her and holly were the prettiest dance moms.

[madamex]

What the hell did kendell do to her face!?

[Alana_g]

'My little Kendall' looks like she is sunburnt

[extrashotofespresso_]

It’s soo wild that they’re having a reunion. I think all of these girls are like barely in their mid 20s so they’re still extremely young. Idk I associate reunions with like super old people and old tv shows like saved by the bell or something 😂