Abby Lee Miller’s Dancing With the Stars Aspirations and Charitable Contributions
Renowned dance instructor Abby Lee Miller recently revealed her eagerness to return to the Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) judges’ panel, a position she briefly held as a guest judge in 2014. Speaking candidly at the Dancers Against Cancer’s 2025 Gala of the Stars event in Los Angeles, the 60-year-old Dance Moms alum shared that she had received multiple invitations to join the show permanently. “They wanted me to do the show,” Miller explained. “Three years [in a row] they asked me, and my contract with the other network didn’t allow it.” Her restrictive contract only permitted appearances on competing networks every 13 episodes of her own show, which prevented her from accepting a permanent judging position despite her clear interest. During her brief stint as a guest judge alongside Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli in season 18, Miller provided her characteristic straightforward feedback to celebrities including Meryl Davis, Amy Purdy, Candace Cameron Bure, and James Maslow.
Miller expressed particular interest in returning to judge contemporary and lyrical dance performances, which were relatively new additions to the DWTS format when she appeared as a guest. “When I judged, it was right when they brought lyric and contemporary [dances] in, and so Deena Katz, the producer, wanted somebody [where] that was their field,” she recalled. The timing seemed perfect for Miller’s expertise, and she believes her specialized knowledge would still be valuable to the show today. In a direct appeal to the show’s producer, she stated, “I think I should be [back]. Deena, if you’re listening.” This season has featured guest judges including former professional dancer Kym Johnson-Herjavec and Wicked director Jon M. Chu, with Cheryl Burke expected to judge the upcoming Halloween-themed episode.
When discussing the sometimes controversial scoring system on DWTS, Miller offered her practical perspective as someone who has spent decades evaluating dance performances. “It’s just a number on a piece of paper,” she explained, suggesting that the absolute scores matter less than the relative placement they create. Her philosophy focuses on ensuring the deserving winner stands out: “If you give out your winner a 10 and then you give everybody else an eight, you make sure that winner is that winner. So why are you giving sixes and sevens? It doesn’t matter.” This straightforward approach reflects Miller’s no-nonsense attitude toward dance competition, familiar to viewers of Dance Moms, where she became famous for her demanding teaching style and unfiltered critiques of young dancers.
Beyond her television aspirations, Miller’s appearance at the Dancers Against Cancer gala highlighted her personal connection to the organization’s mission. The nonprofit provides crucial financial and emotional support to dancers and their families affected by cancer, a cause that resonates deeply with Miller following her own cancer journey. In 2018, Miller was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that required intensive treatment and left her with significant mobility challenges. Her battle with cancer transformed not only her physical capabilities but also seems to have deepened her commitment to giving back to the dance community that has been central to her life and career.
In a touching moment during the charity event, Miller revealed her plans to donate $10,000 to Dancers Against Cancer—the same amount the organization had provided to her during her own health crisis. “I’m giving back a check of $10,000 that they gave me many years ago,” Miller shared, even joking about whether she should add interest to her donation. This gesture demonstrates the cyclical nature of support within the dance community, with Miller now in a position to help others facing similar challenges to those she experienced. The Beverly Hilton event brought together numerous dance industry figures in support of this important cause, showcasing the strength and solidarity of the community.
As Dancing With the Stars continues to air on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesday nights, fans of the show and of Miller herself might hold out hope for her eventual return to the judges’ table. Her unique perspective as a dance educator with decades of experience working with performers of various skill levels could bring a fresh dimension to the panel. Meanwhile, her ongoing recovery from cancer and her philanthropic efforts with organizations like Dancers Against Cancer illustrate another side of the often controversial dance instructor—one of resilience and generosity. Whether or not producers heed her call to return to DWTS, Miller remains an influential figure in the dance world, continuing to make her voice heard both in entertainment and in supporting important causes within the community.
