Abby Lee Miller’s New Show Canceled Amid Allegations of Racism

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5 years ago

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Lifetime has canceled Abby Lee Miller’s new show Abby’s Virtual Dance Off, after claims of racism from a former Dance Moms contestant surfaced.
Abby’s Virtual Dance Off was meant to premier on Lifetime this summer. According to Entertainment Weekly, the 12-episode show would feature Miller showcasing dancers from around the country who submitted virtual videos. In addition, Entertainment Weekly reports Miller will not return to Dance Moms if the show is renewed for a ninth season.
According to Entertainment Weekly, allegations emerged after Miller posted a Blackout Tuesday square on Instagram to show solidarity with protesters of police brutality. The post drew criticism from former Dance Mom parent Adriana Smith, who alleges Miller exposed her then seven-year-old daughter Camryn to her “FIRST account of racism.”
“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 relayed on Instagram.
Smith also alleges her daughter overheard Smith saying, “they need a sprinkle of color.”
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❌❌⁉️‼️🗣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? 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, she would have apologized a year ago when she exposed my then 7-year-old daughter to her FIRST account of racism. So, no, I don’t accept her apology. I also fully support and standby 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. • • #apologynotaccepted #🙅🏾‍♀️ #kickrocks ✌🏾

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Miller has since apologized, but it’s an apology Smith isn’t willing to accept.
“I firmly believe that if Abby was truly sorry, she would have apologized a year ago when she exposed my then 7-year-old daughter to her FIRST account of racism,” Smith shared on Instagram. “So, no, I don’t accept her apology. I also fully support and standby 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.”

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