The Dance Moms<\/em><\/a> cast have mixed feelings about how their former dance teacher, Abby Lee Miller<\/strong><\/a>, treated them on the series.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that there\u2019s a lot of things that I don\u2019t agree with that Abby did as a dance teacher,\u201d Kalani Hiliker<\/strong>, who is now a dance teacher herself, exclusively told Us Weekly<\/em> ahead of the Lifetime reunion special. \u201cSo I kind of do the complete opposite in a way.\u201d<\/p>\n Dance Moms<\/em> followed a group of dancers \u2014 and their mothers \u2014 as they joined Abby\u2019s eponymous dance company. After the show\u2019s premiere in 2011, Abby, 58, rose to fame due to controversial coaching techniques and became a reality TV villain. Throughout the series, Abby pushed her dancers to the extreme as she developed their talent and pushed them to win competitions.<\/p>\n Kalani, 23, explained that after she wrapped up the show in 2017 she lost her \u201clove for dance\u201d due to burnout. However, being able to teach a new generation of talent helped her reignite her childhood passion.<\/p>\n \u201cI know how special my childhood was because of dance,\u201d she told Us<\/em>. \u201cSo I like to make these kids have an amazing childhood with dance and love it just as much as I do.\u201d<\/p>\n Kendall Vertes<\/strong>, who currently dances for her college team, acknowledged that dance taught her \u201ca lot of discipline\u201d that she uses in her everyday life.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve learned so many life lessons outside of the dance studio,\u201d Kendall, 21, told Us<\/em>. \u201cObviously, the comments could sometimes be taken too far, but I mean, we had no control of that, so we just kept doing what we were told.\u201d<\/p>\n While sisters Paige<\/strong> and Brooke Hyland<\/strong> had their ups and downs with Abby throughout their time on the show, they admitted that they believed in their teacher\u2019s dance expertise.<\/p>\n \u201cI typically always trusted Abby when it came to that,\u201d Brooke, 26, said. \u201cShe knew what she was doing when it came to storyline, choreography, and costume. She knew how to tell a story on stage.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooke added that Abbly gave her and the rest of the young cast members more than just dance lessons.<\/p>\n \u201cWe always say this, but Abby taught us a lot more than just dance,\u201d she explained. \u201cSo many life lessons were learned. On the regular \u2026 I\u2019m like, oh, Abby, I\u2019m picturing her jabbing me in the back and fixing my posture.\u201d<\/p>\n Kalani, Kendall, Brooke and Paige reunited with fellow Dance Moms<\/em> alums Jojo Siwa<\/strong> and Chloe Lukasiak<\/strong> to revisit their time on the series and their experience with Abby. (Nia Sioux<\/strong>, Maddie Ziegler<\/strong> and Mackenzie Ziegler<\/strong> ultimately decided to not participate.)<\/p>\n According to Kalani and Kendall, Lifetime got in touch with them asking if they would be interested in a reunion<\/a> which the group agreed.<\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>![\"Dance](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Dance-Moms-Cast-Share-If-They-Think-Abby-Lee-Miller-Took-Things-Too-Far-on-the-Show-490.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>\n\n\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Former-Dance-Moms-Stars-Will-Reunite-for-2-Hour-Special-Event.jpg?w=400&h=225&crop=1&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n