{"id":32296,"date":"2025-04-19T06:56:12","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T06:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/32296\/"},"modified":"2025-04-19T06:56:12","modified_gmt":"2025-04-19T06:56:12","slug":"the-awful-but-addictive-controversial-show-behind-jojo-siwas-fame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/32296\/","title":{"rendered":"The ‘awful but addictive’ controversial show behind JoJo Siwa’s fame"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"A
\n\t\tJoJo Siwa was catapulted to fame in this controversial reality TV show \u2013 and no, we don\u2019t mean Celebrity Big Brother (Picture: Collins Avenue; ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

JoJo Siwa<\/a> has won the nation\u2019s hearts since entering the Celebrity Big Brother<\/a> house.<\/p>\n

But it hasn\u2019t all been smooth sailing, with the Dancing With The Stars<\/a> contestant facing homophobic language<\/a> from Mickey Rourke<\/a> and having her budding friendship with<\/a> Chris Hughes<\/a> scrutinised.<\/p>\n

JoJo\u2019s bubbly nature and honesty exploring her gender has endeared viewers over a decade since she made her TV debut.<\/p>\n

The star is arguably best known for her gigantic bows and dancefloor prowess on Lifetime reality show Dance Moms<\/a>, which followed the lives of young girls training at a prestigious academy.<\/p>\n

But what happened to the controversial cancelled show? We look at JoJo\u2019s Dance Moms debut, the various scandals that hit the show, and where it went.<\/p>\n

When did JoJo Siwa join Dance Moms?<\/p>\n

Dance Moms began airing in 2011, with JoJo joining the show in 2014<\/strong> alongside her mum Jessalynn Siwa, a professional dance instructor from Iowa.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tGet personalised updates on CBB in your inbox\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro\u2019s TV Newsletter.<\/p>\n

Sign up to our newsletter<\/a> and then select your show in the link we\u2019ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"HOLLYWOOD,
\n\t\tJoJo joined the cast of Dance Moms in 2014 (Picture: Paul Redmond\/WireImage)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Jojo
\n\t\tJoJo left the show soon after in 2016 (Picture: Collins Avenue Productions)<\/p>\n

The show followed the training and careers of young children under the tutelage of famed instructor Abby Lee Miller<\/a>, owner of the Abby Lee Dance Company.<\/p>\n

As well as their careers in dance and show business, the programme also explored the relationships between the dancers, their mothers, and with Abby herself.<\/p>\n

JoJo competed on the second season of Abby\u2019s Ultimate Dance Competition, produced by Abby, but was eliminated in week nine.<\/p>\n

Not long after, she made her grand debut on the fourth season of Dance Moms when she was just 11 years old, replacing Chloe Lukasiak.<\/p>\n

JoJo left briefly in the sixth season of the show in 2016 when she secured a deal with Nickelodeon, before returning in 2019 to guest star in the episode Making a Splash in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

Episodes each week showed Abby\u2019s extremely strict nature<\/a>, using harsh criticism to motivate the girls.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Abby
\n\t\tCoach Abby Lee Miller was notoriously harsh in her feedback to the children (Picture: TikTok\/AbbyLee Miller)<\/p>\n

She even used a pyramid featuring the girls\u2019 individual headshots to rank them based on their performance, giving feedback each week based on their performance, attitude, effort, and behaviour.<\/p>\n

In season five, Abby relocated the team Los Angeles, shifting the show\u2019s focus from their preparation for various dance titles to readying the youngsters for their careers in acting and the music business.<\/p>\n

Why was Dance Moms controversial?<\/p>\n

Dance Moms faced various controversies over the years<\/strong>, from accusations of abuse to Abby\u2019s legal issues.<\/p>\n

Behind the glitz and glamour of Dance Moms, many of the parents and Abby herself faced criticism for \u2018exploiting\u2019 the children for fame.<\/p>\n

The Miami Student<\/a> described the show as \u2018borderline child abuse\u2019, while <\/p>\n

\u2018It is not acceptable to exploit young girls for money, while watching them getting torn down. It has got to stop,\u2019 The Odyssey Online<\/a> wrote in a 2016 piece.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\t\t\"11050903
\n\t\tThe costumes and risque routines of Dance Moms were often met with backlash (Picture: Lifetime)<\/p>\n

The Guardian<\/a> branded Dance Moms \u2018awful but addictive\u2019 in a review, adding: \u2018It makes Keeping Up With The Kardashians look like Keeping Bees With The Dimblebys.\u2019<\/p>\n

Risque costumes on the show were often criticised, but season two episode Topless Showgirls when a step too far as it showed the young performers in flesh-tones bra tops and tights to make them appear nude.<\/p>\n

After severe backlash, Lifetime confirmed the episode had been pulled.<\/p>\n

Season one, episode two, which featured the notoriously risque \u2018Electricity dance\u2019, opened up a conversation among viewers about what choreography is too mature for little girls.<\/p>\n

Abby was also branded toxic and abusive for her teaching methods on the show, with episodes showing her viciously shaming her students for their appearance, weight, and sometimes their intelligence.<\/p>\n

She was accused of emotional and physical abuse by various children who featured in the show, with the Hyland family including mother Kelly and daughters Brooke and Paige suing Abby in 2013 for damages, assault, and emotional distress.<\/p>\n

\t\t\""Dance
\n\t\tAbby has been accused of abusive behaviour across the show (Picture: Michael Tullberg\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Their lawsuit was eventually thrown out by the courts, and in 2014 Kelly was arrested on charges of assaulting Abby during a backstage dispute during a New York dance competition.<\/p>\n

Maddie Ziegler<\/a>, one of the biggest stars to come from Dance Moms, criticised Abby on the High Low with Emrata<\/a> podcast saying her teaching style impacted her terribly.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve blocked out so much of my childhood that I actually don\u2019t know what my life was like, even just before working,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n

\u2018I was such a perfectionist and I was so hard on myself, and now I\u2019m trying to unlearn all those traits, and it\u2019s an ongoing battle.\u2019<\/p>\n

On October 13, 2015, Abby was indicted in Pittsburgh, charged with concealing $755,000 (\u00a3569,145)<\/a> for her performances on Dance Moms between 2012 and 2013.<\/p>\n

She was charged with bank bankruptcy fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets and false bankruptcy declarations, pleading guilty to the charges.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Us
\n\t\tThe dance coach was sentenced to a year in prison accused of hiding her earnings (Picture: Phillip Faraone\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Abby was sentenced to one year and a day in prison<\/a>, taking a break from Dance Moms to serve her sentence.<\/p>\n

In 2020, Abby was at the centre of controversy once more after sharing a black square on her Instagram page on Blackout Tuesday, highlighting the Black Lives Matter movement.<\/p>\n

Dance Moms season eight\u2019s Adriana Smith, mother of Kamryn, then accused Abby of racism in a statement shared on her Instagram page.<\/p>\n

\u2018A statement from her that sticks in my mind to this day during my time on DMS8 is \u201cI 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\u2014don\u2019t be stupid,\u201d\u2018 she wrote. <\/p>\n

Adriana also claimed that Abby told her she and her daughter were on the show beacause \u2018they need a sprinkle of colour.\u2019<\/p>\n

Abby issued an apology to the women, writing on her own Instagram page: \u2018I genuinely understand and deeply regret how my words have [a]ffected and hurt those around me in the past, particularly those in the Black community.\u2019<\/p>\n

She then directly addressed \u2018Kamryn, Adriana, and anyone else I\u2019ve hurt,\u2019 as she vowed to \u2018educate herself\u2019 and \u2018do better.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018I understand that words alone are not enough. I understand it takes time and genuine change,\u2019 she concluded.<\/p>\n

Is Dance Moms still airing?<\/p>\n

Dance Moms ended in 2019<\/strong> due to declining ratings and a shifting audience demographic.<\/p>\n

Abby\u2019s follow-up show, Abby\u2019s Virtual Dance-Off, was cancelled before it aired in 2020 following her racism controversy.<\/p>\n

Spin-off Dance Moms: A New Era aired in 2024 following coach Glo Hampton as she leads Studio Bleu to compete nationally weekly.<\/p>\n

You can watch Dance Moms right now on Channel 4.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\t\t\"DANCING
\n\t\tDance Moms was cancelled in 2019, but its still available to stream in the UK (Picture: ABC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Dance Moms: A New Era is available to stream on Hulu.<\/p>\n

What has JoJo said about the show?<\/p>\n

JoJo has always been very positive about her time on Dance Moms, defending Abby\u2019s behaviour on the show.<\/p>\n

The star claimed she knew what she was \u2018getting herself into\u2019, continuing: \u2018I saw what she was like on TV and I somehow as a kid could always see the bigger picture.\u2019<\/p>\n

Speaking on the Call Her Daddy<\/a> podcast, she said: \u2018The thing is, I was there to make a TV show. She was there to make a TV show. And that is how dance teachers are. And Dance Moms really just put that on display.<\/p>\n

\u2018But I will say, I have had teachers worse than Abby. Like, she\u2019s not the worst that I\u2019ve had. Toughness-wise, mean-wise. And I liked it. Like I wanted to be good, and she was right.\u2019<\/p>\n

Last year, JoJo shared her advice with the cast of spin-off show A New Era, telling E! News<\/a> they should: \u2018Have fun with it. Don\u2019t be nervous about it.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"11th
\n\t\tJoJo and Abby have maintained a close friendship (Picture: Paul Archuleta\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t

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The Masked Singer star said: \u2018You got to film a TV show. Enjoy the wave and make the most of it. If something is showing success, go further in that direction. <\/p>\n

\u2018But if for one second you don\u2019t like it, run away because it\u2019s a very hard industry to be a part of. And if you got it, you got it. But if you don\u2019t, you don\u2019t. And that is okay as well.\u2019<\/p>\n

She also urged them to \u2018stay original\u2019 and not try and emulate any of the show\u2019s original cast.<\/p>\n

In a separate interview about the spin-off with US Weekly<\/a>, JoJo admitted the idea of Abby being replaced made her feel \u2018a little sick to her stomach.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s tough when you see someone trying to be someone that you love and really care about,\u2019 she added.<\/p>\n

In 2024, told People Magazine<\/a> she is still close with Abby, describing her former instructor as \u2018a great human in her life.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Abby
\n\t\tAbby has spoken out about JoJo\u2019s CBB stint (Picture: Steven Ferdman\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

And the feeling is mutual, with Abby praising JoJo in a new interview examining her time on CBB.<\/p>\n

\u2018I just know that Jojo is a good competitor,\u2019 Abby told GB News<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018She likes to compete and she\u2019s going to be great at the challenges, whether they\u2019re physical or mental or if she has to sing or dance or act, she\u2019s going to be good.\u2019<\/p>\n

Abby said she is \u2018proud\u2019 of her co-star, saying she still speaks to her \u2018at least once a week.\u2019<\/p>\n

Speaking about JoJo\u2019s time on the show, she said: \u2018She was feisty. She had charisma. She was precious and adorable.<\/p>\n

\u2018Her face, you looked at her and you just thought she was this angel, and then she opened her mouth.\u2019<\/p>\n

Abby said she is certain JoJo will be propelled to pop stardom following her CBB stint, adding: \u2018Any time I\u2019m asked about JoJo and her music, I always say that kid is laughing all the way to the bank.\u2019<\/p>\n

Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Celebrity Big Brother viewers are doing flips as third housemate is evicted<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Celebrity Big Brother fans \u2018disgusted\u2019 by Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa\u2019s behaviour<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Celebrity Big Brother housemate appalled over \u2018scum of the earth\u2019 comment<\/a><\/p>\n

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