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What Is Abby Lee Miller’s Net Worth?
Abby Lee Miller, an American dance instructor and reality television personality, has accumulated a net worth of $1 million. Her primary source of wealth stems from her involvement in the dance industry, particularly through the Abby Lee Dance Company, and her appearances on the reality television series “Dance Moms” and its associated spin-offs.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on September 21, 1965, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Abby Lee Miller was immersed in the world of dance from a young age. Her mother, a dance teacher and studio owner, provided her with early exposure and training. Growing up, Miller honed her dancing skills at her mother’s studio. By the age of 14, she was already demonstrating her aptitude for choreography and coaching, working with some of the studio’s competition teams. At 29, Miller assumed ownership of the studio, marking a significant step in her career. Her family background includes both English and Irish heritage, contributing to her diverse upbringing.
“Dance Moms” and Reality Television Stardom
In 2011, Abby Lee Miller’s career trajectory shifted significantly when she became a regular cast member on the Lifetime reality TV show “Dance Moms.” Over the course of seven seasons, she played a central role in the show, coaching various students within the Abby Lee Dance Company. The show’s premise revolved around the intense competition and interpersonal dynamics of young dancers and their mothers. The show became very popular and led to several spin-off series, including “Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition,” “Dance Moms: Miami,” and “Dance Moms: Abby’s Studio Rescue.” Beyond the “Dance Moms” franchise, Miller expanded her television presence by appearing as a judge on “Dancing with the Stars.” She has also published a book, titled “Everything I Learned about Life, I Learned in Dance Class,” in 2014, further broadening her creative endeavors.
Ventures and Controversies
In 2015, Abby Lee Miller expanded her business by opening a new dance studio in Los Angeles, called ALDC LA. This move reflected her ambition to establish a presence in the entertainment capital and attract new talent. However, her career has not been without its challenges and controversies. Although she became a certified member of Dance Masters of America and the Dance Masters of Pennsylvania Chapter #10 in 1986, her membership was terminated in 2012. The organization cited her appearances on “Dance Moms” as the reason, claiming that she was portraying them in a negative light. Representatives from Dance Masters of America also stated that her reality show was “detrimental to the dance profession.”
In 2020, Miller faced accusations of racism from individuals she had worked with on “Dance Moms.” Adriana Smith, the mother of one of the dancers she had coached, alleged that Miller had used racist language toward her in the past. Another dance mom, Camille Bridges, also accused Miller of racist behavior toward her daughter. Both moms seemed to suggest that Miller had intentionally created a hostile environment for their daughters based on their race. While she issued an apology, it wasn’t enough to save her reality television career, and Lifetime cut all ties with her. Later in 2020, Abby Lee announced that she had left “Dance Moms” after nine years.
Legal and Health Issues
In 2010, Abby Lee Miller faced financial difficulties and was compelled to file for bankruptcy. She owed the IRS more than $400,000 in back taxes. However, her appearance on “Dance Moms” shortly after filing for bankruptcy helped alleviate her financial problems.
In 2014, Miller was involved in a $5 million lawsuit that alleged the show purposely staged violent altercations in order to attract more viewers. The plaintiff was a former dancer on the show, and she claimed that this violent atmosphere had caused her significant emotional distress. Ultimately, the charges were dropped for this emotional distress lawsuit.
In 2015, Miller was indicted for fraud after it was revealed that she had created a secret bank account in order to hide her income from a number of sources, including TV deals and merchandising sales. As per the rules of bankruptcy, she was required to file monthly reports of her income. As a result, she was indicted for bankruptcy fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets, and false bankruptcy declarations. In total, she had concealed more than $755,000. These were serious charges, and Abby Lee faced up to five years in prison. In addition, she faced a fine of $255,000 for each of the 20 counts she was indicted on. Later in 2015, she pleaded not guilty, and her case was delayed five times. During this period, she was charged with customs fraud after she failed to declare cash income from a “Dance Moms” tour in Australia.
In 2017, she was sentenced after a two-day hearing, receiving a sentence of one year and one day behind bars. She was also required to pay a $40,000 fine and a $120,000 judgment. After serving just over nine months in prison, she was transferred to a halfway house to complete her sentence.
In 2018, after her release from prison, Abby Lee Miller was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer, following spinal surgery. This led to a loss of her ability to walk.
Real Estate Holdings
In December 2022, Miller sold her longtime dance studio in Pennsylvania, the home of the Abby Lee Dance Company, for $300,000. This property had been a central part of her career for many years.
In March 2005, Abby Lee paid $243,000 for a home in Davenport, Florida. This property was listed for sale in January 2023 for $399,999.
