Abby Lee Miller apologizes for racist comments on ‘Dance Moms’, Lifetime cancels ‘Abby’s Virtual Dance-Off'
After a decade, Abby Lee Miller’s time on Lifetime has come to an end in light of serious accusations of racism. The network reportedly will not be going forward with the dance reality show ‘Abby’s Virtual Dance-Off’ that was announced in April. Miller will also not be returning to ‘Dance Moms’ in the event it is renewed for season 9.
The former ‘Dance Moms’ alum was accused of racism by Adriana Smith, mother of season 8 contestant Kamryn. After Miller shared a black square as part of the Blackout Tuesday campaign on Instagram, showing her solidarity towards the Black Lives Matter movement, Smith recounted an incident from the reality show.
“I couldn’t think of a more perfect day to address my experience with Abby Lee Miller,” wrote Smith. “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 eight crayons, but I grew up in the Country Club with a box of 64 -- don’t be stupid’. This to me shows that you think you are better than me and in higher rank and altogether superior to me! This to me shows that you don't give a f*** about me or where I came from.”
Smith also added that her daughter overheard Miller saying, “The only reason [Kamryn was] here" was for "a sprinkle of color.”
Smith further said she pulled her daughter out of the show due to Miller's behavior. “People need to be held accountable not just for the injustices [but also] for being a closet racist. This is nothing new to me. But what I'm not going to have happen is have this racist person have any part of my daughter's life.”
“Call me naive,” Smith wrote on Instagram, “I thought with cancer and jail time maybe she had changed just a little bit. Well, #season8 proved that was a complete lie.”
Following that, another ‘Dance Moms’ parent, Camille Bridges, accused Miller of promoting racial stereotypes. She said that Miller “tried to spin Camryn as being the poor one and there on scholarship… She continuously put Camryn in afros… It was a traumatic experience that I wish on no one (sic).”
On Thursday, June 4, Miller posted an apology. She wrote, “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.”
But Smith was not happy with the apology. She wrote on Instagram, reposting Miller’s statement, “At this time, I do not accept Abby’s apology because her apology was not sincere. My daughter and I have yet to hear directly from Abby Lee Miller. Moreover, she didn’t even bother to tag me or Kamryn in her post. How else would we know she apologized? My friends and peers informed me of the apology. How sincere could it be?! What happened to a phone call or at least a personal direct message?”
Smith further said, “Her failure to appropriately address me and my daughter personally points to the fact that she is disingenuous. My purpose with my original post was to share my story and how it negatively impacted my daughter and it resonated with many others because of the distressing times in our country. At this point, this is bigger than Kamryn and I. It’s about the potential effect that she has on the future of dance and negative, stereotypical influences on young, aspiring dancers of color.”
“I firmly believe that if Abby was truly sorry,” Smith wrote, “she would have apologized a year ago when she exposed my then seven-year-old daughter to her first account of racism. So, no, I don’t accept her apology. I also fully support and stand by Nia, Camryn, and Nicaya as well as any others who have been victims of racism at the hands of Abby Lee Miller or in the industry.”
‘Abby’s Virtual Dance-Off’ was slated to premiere in June.