Lifetime is cutting ties with Dance Moms‘ Abby Lee Miller after accusations of racism surfaced against the reality star. The network will no longer move forward with Millers’s planned new show, Abby’s Virtual Dance Off, a spinoff series to Dance Moms scheduled to premiere later this summer. In addition, should Dance Moms be renewed for a 9th season, Miller will no longer be part of the series.
Earlier this week, Miller posted a (now-deleted) black square on Instagram for #BlackOutTuesday in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Shortly thereafter, Adriana Smith, who appeared on Season 8 of Dance Moms with her daughter Kamryn, responded with her own Instagram, writing: “I couldn’t think of a more perfect day to address my experience with Abby Lee Miller. Wanna know the truth?” Smith shared a series of posts from her Notes app, writing that at one time, Miller allegedly made a number of racist remarks towards Kamryn. “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 recalled, adding: “This to me shows that you think you are better than me and in higher rank and all together superior to ME. This to me shows that you don’t give a f— about me or where I came from.” The mother also alleged that at one point, her daughter had heard Miller say that she was only included on the show for a “sprinkle of color.”
In a statement, Miller apologized to the family, writing, “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.”
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