Abby Lee Miller Shares True Opinion on JoJo Siwa

Pittsburgh-based choreographer Abby Lee Miller rose to fame on the Lifetime series, Dance Moms. Over eight seasons, she trained and helped several young dancers rise to stardom, despite often being perceived as incredibly cruel and abrasive onscreen.

Among the most famous of the dancers are Maddie Ziegler and JoJo Siwa.

Although the original Dance Moms series ended several years ago, Abby Lee Miller still often thinks about the young dancers. Lately, she has shed light on JoJo Siwa’s early days in the rehearsal room.

Abby Lee Miller may not be as publicly active as she was during her Dance Moms days, but she remains a figure of interest. Recently, she appeared on an episode of The Unplanned Podcast to discuss her cancer battle, prison stay, and more.

The hosts also delved into Miller’s time working with JoJo Siwa.

“I liked her,” Miller shared about her former student. “I definitely thought she had star quality.”

The Dance Moms coach believes a dancer’s star power comes from their passion. “Whether you see it in a lyrical contemporary type of routine [or] that acting ability . . . you know how important it is to them,” she explained.

However, JoJo’s passion sometimes posed a challenge. Miller found it difficult to get her to successfully perform in a group number. She aimed for the team to perform as a cohesive unit, but JoJo could often be a wild card.

“So when they would throw these random people in there like JoJo,” Miller said, “I’m like ‘Oh my God, how am I gonna reign her in and get her to be part of this group?’ Doing a solo, she was fabulous. [But] in the group… that was the struggle.”

Although many former Dance Moms girls have distanced themselves from Miller, JoJo Siwa keeps in touch with her former teacher.

“Abby, honestly, my relationship is great,” JoJo previously told PEOPLE. “I talk to her on a weekly basis. Great human in my life.”

“My difficulty with JoJo was that she was homeschooled,” Abby Lee Miller explained to The Unplanned Podcast hosts. “So the standing in line, taking your turn, raising your hand [skills] you learn at school, she didn’t have.”

Miller also noted that JoJo would frequently speak her mind and interrupt others. But with a little tough love, JoJo Siwa learned how to earn Miller’s approval.

Source: TV Shows Ace, THE UNPLANNED PODCAST