<p id=”par-1_67″>Since 2013, the American Reality Television Awards has honored both on-camera and behind-the-scenes talent from all areas of unscripted TV. Each year, shows and stars from network, cable, and streaming platforms are eligible, with millions of votes cast across categories. Naturally, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/jojo-siwa/”>JoJo Siwa</a> couldn’t miss such an important media outing given her reality TV history. The now-21-year-old even reunited with <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/dance-moms-abby-lee-miller-admitted-little-jealous-maddie-ziegler.html/”>Abby Lee Miller</a> on the red carpet.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jojo-Siwa-Abby-Lee-Miller-2024.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Wearing a mint colored jacket and black shorts, JoJo Siwa smiles with Abby Lee Miller on the red carpet at the 2024 Reality TV Awards” class=”wp-image-3743450″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Jojo Siwa and Abby Lee Miller at the 2024 Reality TV Awards | Paul Archuleta/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-2_71″>JoJo Siwa’s rise in reality TV began with her appearance on <em>Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition</em> in 2013. As a 10-year-old, her bold personality and dance talent caught viewers’ attention. In 2015, she joined the cast of <em>Dance Moms</em> with her mother, Jessalynn, and quickly became a standout star. Fans loved her signature bows, positive energy, and determination. Siwa’s <em>Dance Moms</em> fame opened doors, leading to appearances on several reality shows. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jojo-Siwa-Abby-Lee-Miller.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Wearing a mint colored jacket and black shorts, JoJo Siwa smiles with Abby Lee Miller on the red carpet at the 2024 Reality TV Awards” class=”wp-image-3743452″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Jojo Siwa and Abby Lee Miller at LA’s Avalon Hollywood & Bardot on November 18, 2024 | Paul Archuleta/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-3_59″>As JoJo Siwa’s brand has grown beyond reality TV, she hasn’t forgotten her roots. Back in April of 2024, the YouTube star told <a href=”https://people.com/jojo-siwa-talks-to-abby-lee-miller-on-a-weekly-basis-dance-moms-reunion-8639350″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>People</a> that she <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/dance-moms-abby-lee-miller-texts-jojo-siwa-despite-feud-rumors-she-texts-right-back.html/”>keeps in regular contact</a> with her former dance instructor. “Abby [Lee Miller], honestly, my relationship is great,” explained Siwa. “I talk to her on a weekly basis. Great human in my life.” </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-3″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jojo-Siwa-Abby-Lee-Miller-2015.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”‘Dance Moms’ stars Kendall Vertes, Kalani Hilliker, Abby Lee Miller, Mackenzie Ziegler, Maddie Ziegler, Jojo Siwa and Nia Sioux Frazier pose backstage at the 2015 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards” class=”wp-image-3743449″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Kendall Vertes, Kalani Hilliker, Abby Lee Miller, Mackenzie Ziegler, Maddie Ziegler, Jojo Siwa and Nia Sioux Frazier of ‘Dance Moms’ at Nickelodeon’s 2015 Kids’ Choice Awards | Jason Merritt/KCA2015/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-4_69″>Her statement came as Miller was notably not in attendance for the premiere of Lifetime’s reunion special, <em>Dance Moms: The Reunion</em>. People previously reported that <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/dance-moms-cast-reunites-nyc-minus-controversial-teacher-abby-lee-miller.html/”><em>Dance Moms</em> cast members agreed</a> to participate in the April 2024 reunion only if Miller was not invited. For some, this made sense. Since <em>Dance</em> <em>Moms</em>, Miller has sparked controversy for her harsh teaching style, legal issues involving bankruptcy fraud, and allegations of discriminatory behavior.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-4″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jojo-Siwa-Abby-Lee-Miller-2019-2024.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Wearing a mint colored jacket and black shorts, JoJo Siwa smiles with Abby Lee Miller on the red carpet at the 2024 Reality TV Awards” class=”wp-image-3743453″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Jojo Siwa and Abby Lee Miller in 2019; Siwa and Miller in 2024 | Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Paul Archuleta/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-5_57″>Fast forward to the 2024 American Reality Television Awards. Siwa is an alum of several nominated shows, including <em>Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test</em>, <em><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/dancing-with-the-stars-all-these-superstars-tried-to-win-mirrorball-trophy.html/”>Dancing With the Stars</a></em>, <em>The Masked Singer</em>, <em>America’s Got Talent</em>, and <em>RuPaul’s Drag Race</em>. Her reunion with Miller made some fans emotional as both have evolved in unexpected ways since first meeting in 2013.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-5″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Abby-Lee-Miller-now.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Wearing a black leather jacket, Abby Lee Miller smiles before the premiere of 2024’s A Man in Full” class=”wp-image-3743448″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Abby Lee Miller at a 2024 screening for Netflix’s ‘A Man in Full’ | Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
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<p id=”par-6_63″>Miller was in her wheelchair as she posed on the red carpet. The <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/dance-moms-abby-lee-miller-2023.html/?swcfpc=1″>59-year-old was diagnosed</a> with Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive cancer that required emergency surgery and extensive treatment, in 2018. Complications from the surgery left her partially paralyzed, and she continues undergoing physical therapy to regain mobility. Though she now uses a wheelchair, she continues to host masterclasses and interact with fans.</p>