Abby Lee Miller Makes Triumphant Return in New Dance Moms Trailer

Boom! Everything is Different Now

“In an instant, your life changes completely,” Miller says in the clip, which is followed by candid footage of her fighting back tears in a hospital bed.

Best Laid Plans Gone Awry

“I was ready to go back to work and start my life over and now I can’t even walk,” she says.

Simply Heartbreaking

Even for those who have been critical of her conduct over the years, it’s impossible to watch this footage and not tear up along with Abby.

But She’s Ready to Fight!

“I need to get back to teaching and I need to get back to screaming at children,” she says in the trailer. “I need to get back to my roots. I’m going to take these kids right back to the turf.”

What Actually Happened?

In April 2018, a day after undergoing emergency surgery for what was initially believed to be a spinal infection, the reality star was preliminarily diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system.

She Almost Died

Miller went into the emergency room after she experienced “excruciating neck pain” and weakness in her arm. From there, her condition deteriorated over the next couple days, prompting a need for surgery for a multi-level laminectomy.

Really, She Almost Died

“If we didn’t do something, she was going to die,” her surgeon told People Magazine. “Her blood pressure was bottoming out. She was not doing well.

Bouncing Back

Since this operation, Miller has been receiving chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and documenting her journey via social media. She left her rehabilitation facility in September.

She’s Confined to a Wheelchair

That’s a tough position to be in, for Abby or anyone else. But she clearly is undeterred and not ready to let it get the best of her.

Abby Wheels Into the Dance Studio to Applause and Hugs on the Premiere

“There’s people that counted me out, thought I was finished, considered the ALDC [Abby Lee Dance Company] dead,” she tells the students. “Well I fought hard to be here and you have to be a fighter too. You have to fight to get those legs straight, fight to get better feet, you have to fight to be a champion.”

Look Out, World!

“I have my own personal goals and I have goals for the team,” she announces. “I need to be ready for that first competition. We need to make a statement on that stage that the ALDC is back … and watch out!”

She May Never Walk Again

But look at the smile here. Abby Lee has become an inspiration.

A Changed Woman

Longtime Dance Moms fans may have a hard time recognizing this newly joyful version of Abby.

A Controversial Leading Role

After all, Miller rose to fame by putting her impressionable young contestants through the emotional wringer on a daily basis.

Miller was never afraid to mix it up with her pupils’ parents. This epic confrontation with Kelly Hyland remains one of the series’ most talked about ever.

Softened By Hard Times

But as is so often the case, a series of hardships in her personal life ironically made Abby a more grateful and compassionate individual.

One Thing After Another

Prior to her battle with cancer, Miller served time in prison on fraud charges. (She continues to maintain her innocence in the bankruptcy-related case.)

Tough as Ever

But fear not, Dance Moms fans, it doesn’t look as though Miller’s new outlook will lead her to go any easier on her students.

When Does She Make Her Return?

Dance Moms returns in June. Still a few months away, without a specific calendar date right now, but Lifetime has confirmed as much. We’ll be tuning in for it. Will you?

Love or hate Miller, who has always been a polarizing presence, you can see in the trailer above that she is not going down without a fight. After all that she’s been through, that’s pretty inspiring.