Abby Lee Miller’s journey has taken an unexpectedly positive turn since the end of Dance Moms in 2019. This iconic Lifetime series, which premiered in 2011, showcased Abby’s dedication to nurturing a group of young dancers alongside their mothers as they prepared for national competitions. The show was known for capturing Abby’s candid coaching style, which many viewers found engaging both for its educational aspects and the dynamic interactions between Abby, the dancers, and their mothers.
Throughout its eight-season run, Dance Moms became a cultural phenomenon, with Abby remaining an essential figure until the show’s conclusion. However, following her departure from the series, Abby took a step back from Lifetime due to various controversies, including allegations of racism that affected her public persona. In 2020, Abby introduced a new venture, Abby Lee Dance With Me, as Lifetime launched a revival of the show titled Dance Moms: A New Era, in which Abby did not participate.
Abby Lee Miller’s Transition to Life in a Wheelchair
Abby’s Continued Commitment to Dance Education
Fans will recall that Abby’s mobility challenges became apparent in the final seasons of the show. In April 2018, she underwent urgent surgery to treat a spinal infection, which later revealed to be a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma known as Burkitt lymphoma. Following complicated spinal surgery, Abby experienced paralysis, resulting in her dependence on a wheelchair.
In an Instagram post from 2022, Abby said, “Over the next 24 hours, my blood pressure dropped to 23 over 17, my kidneys started to fail, and I became paralyzed from the neck down.”
Despite her physical challenges, Abby remains resolute in her passion for teaching dance. She has dedicated herself to recovery and rehabilitation, with the enduring goal of nurturing young talent in the dance world.
Abby Lee Miller’s Legal Struggles
Consequences of Bankruptcy Fraud
Abby has faced significant legal hurdles, notably a bankruptcy fraud case in 2015. According to Justice.Gov, she served a prison sentence of one year and one day, followed by two years of supervised release and a $40,000 fine. Recent reports indicate that she has moved past these legal issues, perhaps influenced by her serious health battles that have encouraged her to prioritize her future.
Abby Lee Miller’s Current Endeavors
A Popular Figure with a Thriving Online Presence
Today, Abby is channeling her energy into her YouTube channel, which has amassed 824,000 subscribers, showcasing her Abby Lee Dance With Me initiative. With an impressive following of over 4.6 million on Instagram, Abby regularly shares updates about her life and dance classes, connecting with her fans. Notably, in April 2025, she promoted events like “Leave It On The Dance Floor Live”and expressed excitement about her inaugural live podcast show in Omaha set for May 3. Abby’s enthusiasm for her future remains evident as she embraces her evolving career.
Source: Abby Lee Miller/Instagram, Justice.Gov, Abby Lee Miller/Instagram