JoJo Siwa has never been shy about sharing her thoughts on her time in the Dance Moms spotlight, and now, with the launch of Hulu’s Dance Moms: A New Era, the 21-year-old singer and dancer is offering her candid take on the reboot of the popular reality series.
Speaking at Rhode Island Comic Con on November 1, during the JoJo Siwa Live panel moderated by PEOPLE’s Dory Jackson, Siwa discussed her feelings about the new show, which premiered earlier this year. While she expressed her appreciation for certain aspects of Dance Moms: A New Era, she also didn’t hold back when it came to the parts of the show that didn’t sit right with her.
“I appreciate that Dance Moms: A New Era gave nods to the original Dance Moms and gave nods to Abby [Lee Miller],” Siwa said, referring to the iconic former dance coach who made her mark on the original Lifetime series. “They acknowledged that Abby created the pyramid format, and I appreciated that they didn’t play dumb, essentially thinking Dance Moms wasn’t a thing before them.”
Siwa, who joined the original Dance Moms cast in 2015 for season five, admitted that she was cautiously watching the new series, wary of criticizing it too harshly. But as she continued, it was clear she had some unresolved issues with the direction of the reboot. “Apparently, I’m going to be shady,” Siwa joked. “I’m very territorial of Dance Moms, and I know Dance Moms: A New Era kind of screwed over some people, and I know that it wasn’t appreciated.”
Siwa stopped short of naming specifics, leaving many fans guessing which cast members or crew were affected, but she made her displeasure clear. “I don’t think that’s very cool,” she said. “However, I was thoroughly entertained by the show. I watched it.”
The new iteration of Dance Moms, which follows a fresh crop of dancers and their mothers under the tutelage of coach Glo Hampton, has drawn mixed reactions from fans and former cast members alike. While it’s clear Siwa feels a strong attachment to the original Dance Moms franchise, she acknowledged the competitive nature of the show and her desire to protect its legacy.
Despite her critiques of Dance Moms: A New Era, Siwa couldn’t deny the entertainment value of the reboot. “I watched it,” she confirmed, suggesting that while she had reservations, she still found the show compelling.
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While Siwa’s relationship with Dance Moms and Miller has had its share of ups and downs, she has always spoken fondly of her time on the show, especially when it comes to the lessons she learned from her controversial dance coach.
“I’ve had some good and bad experiences with Abby,” Siwa admitted. “But this is crazy, but when Abby would yell at me, I’d be like, ‘She’s yelling at me!’” Siwa laughed, recalling the intense moments that were a hallmark of Miller’s tough-love coaching style. “It’s like when you have that thing that’s not good for you, but you kind of like it anyways. It’s like a guilty pleasure.”
For Siwa, the experience was one of respect—despite the harsh criticism. “I was so honored that this woman that I’ve respected for so long was yelling at me,” she continued. “That’s psycho. That’s so crazy for me to say that.”
When it comes to the most valuable lessons she took away from her time with Miller, Siwa said that her former coach instilled in her a strong sense of discipline—both in dance and beyond. “Abby taught me how to sit at a table with my legs, a napkin on my lap, my fork on the left, and my knife and spoon on the right,” Siwa shared with a laugh. “That girl is in her table manners. I’m not kidding. I’ve dated a couple of girls where I’ve told them, ‘You need to go to Abby Lee’s table manners school.’”
Siwa’s candidness about her experience with Miller provides a glimpse into her evolving relationship with the Dance Moms franchise. While the reboot may not align perfectly with her own experience on the show, her appreciation for its impact—and for Miller’s tough guidance—remains clear.
As the series continues to unfold, Siwa’s complex feelings reflect the enduring cultural significance of Dance Moms. The original show introduced millions of viewers to the drama, intensity, and dedication required in the world of competitive dance, and its legacy looms large over the new era.
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For fans who want to catch up on both the original series and its reboot, Dance Moms is available for streaming on Prime Video, Disney+, and Tubi, while Dance Moms: A New Era is available on Hulu.
