Former Dance Moms sensation JoJo Siwa has recently opened up about her experiences behind the scenes of the highly anticipated Dance Moms: The Reunion special. In a candid revelation on her podcast “JoJo Siwa Now,” the 20-year-old star detailed how producers allegedly attempted to instigate drama and manipulate cast members, particularly pushing for a phone call to controversial former coach Abby Lee Miller.
JoJo Siwa and Dance Moms cast members at the reunion special, highlighting behind-the-scenes producer manipulations.
Siwa, who rose to fame on the reality dance show, reunited with fellow Dance Moms alumni for the special, although notably missing were Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler, who opted out to protect their mental well-being, and Nia Sioux, who also declined to participate. The absence of Abby Lee Miller herself was also significant, considering her notoriously harsh treatment of the young dancers on the original show.
Despite Miller’s absence, Siwa revealed that reunion producers were keen on involving her, pressuring Siwa to make an on-camera phone call to her former coach. According to Siwa, this request was persistent, with producers “kept wanting” her to reach out to Miller during filming.
Siwa explained that her resistance stemmed from a desire to protect both her own relationships and Miller’s well-being. “Me and Kalani are the two who have a relationship with Abby,” Siwa stated, acknowledging the complex dynamic she and Kalani Hilliker share with their former coach, in contrast to others like Paige, Brooke, and Chloé who had less positive departures from the show.
She firmly declined the producers’ request, asserting, “Absolutely not. That is where I put my foot down.” Siwa elaborated on her concerns, saying, “I’m not only putting myself in an awkward position of calling in this environment, that no one invited her to, but also I’m putting Abby in a weird situation where she is talking to people who she doesn’t necessarily know how to talk to them.” She emphasized her understanding of the “real trauma” experienced by her former castmates during their time on Dance Moms.
However, Siwa also shared her perspective on her relationship with Miller, stating, “I have a good relationship with Abby. I have chosen to see that Abby only ever wanted what was best for me and only ever was tough on me because she wanted what was best for me.” This viewpoint highlights a mature and perhaps forgiving stance from Siwa, but also underscores her protective feelings towards Miller.
Beyond the Abby Lee Miller phone call, Siwa disclosed further producer interference aimed at stirring up drama among the cast. She claimed producers “tried to do some shady shit,” specifically attempting to reignite past online disagreements between her and Chloé Lukasiak. “The producers wanted me and Chloé to kind of get into it a little bit and talk about our [online beef], and honestly that’s not how I feel anymore,” Siwa explained.
Despite these manipulative tactics, Siwa expressed that the reunion ultimately had a positive impact. She described it as “so healing for all of us,” while also suggesting improvements for future reunions, proposing, “Stick all of us in a house for a month” to foster genuine reconnection.
JoJo Siwa’s revelations shed light on the often-unseen pressures and manufactured drama within reality television, even in reunion specials intended to celebrate past experiences. Her willingness to protect her relationships and prioritize genuine healing over manufactured conflict resonates with many who followed her journey on Dance Moms.
