logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
48m 17s

Abby Lee Miller: Scam Like Nobody's Watc...

Wondery
About this episode

Before she became the most infamous dance teacher in America, Abby Lee Miller ran a struggling dance studio in Pittsburgh. Shortly after declaring bankruptcy, she gets the break of a lifetime: she’s cast as the lead in Dance Moms. She becomes a reality TV star overnight, and even as she leads young dancers to stardom in front of millions of viewers — fighting their moms every step of the way — she schemes to keep her newfound wealth a secret from the courts. And when curtain finally falls on her fraud, Abby insists on an encore.


Listen to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Jul 7
Phil Kitzer and the G Men | 166
Phil Kitzer was a globe-trotting scammer who spent more than a decade creating fake banks and insurance companies, ripping off customers to pay for his lavish lifestyle. By the late 70s, Phil’s scam is so prolific that the FBI authorizes the first-ever white collar undercover sti ... Show More
42m 39s
Jun 30
Earl Washington: A Rip Off the Old Block | 165
Singer-actor Earl Washington turns out to be a triple threat when he takes up carving wood blocks to make ends meet while hustling to make a life as an entertainer in Los Angeles. But just like any other artist, his wood carvings need a good origin story, so Earl creates a new id ... Show More
48m 16s
Jun 24
Listen Now: Liberty Lost
In Evangelical homes across the United States, sex outside of marriage is a sin against God. So, when Abbi becomes pregnant at 16, her devout parents hide her away at the Liberty Godparent Home, a little-known facility for pregnant teens on the campus of Liberty University. The H ... Show More
5m 38s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
Abby Lee Miller Feudster (Dance Moms) | 61
“Dance Moms" burst onto screens in 2011, with Abby Lee Miller's ruthless coaching catapulting young dancers to fame - but at what cost? Today, her former students allege abuse, while Miller's post-show antics have only intensified. In this episode, we'll explore Abby's biggest fe ... Show More
46m 37s
Aug 2024
Karma's A Bitch (with JoJo Siwa)
PART 2! Global superstar, JoJo Siwa continues the conversation on Leave It On The Dance Floor with Abby Lee Miller discussing her decision to leave Dance Moms to pursue her career, how it felt to come out in front of the world and the reasons why she is grateful for every lesson ... Show More
52m 42s
Mar 2025
Angela Bassett: The Queen | 267
It’s Women’s History Month, Richies! In honor of that, we have the queen herself, Angela Bassett. She’s been setting fire to the silver screen ever since she portrayed Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” But her life - both in front of and behind the camera - has been ... Show More
51m 58s
Apr 22
Tyler Perry: Turning Pain into Power | 274
Born in New Orleans, young Tyler Perry is forced to contend with all sorts of abuse. Some is at the hands of his explosive and alcoholic father, as well as neighbors and people he thought he could trust. Eventually, he escapes to Atlanta to pursue his dreams of writing and perfor ... Show More
46m 35s
May 28
No Cry Babies! NONE! (with Sarah Ashley Hunt)
PART 2! Sarah Ashley Hunt, star of Dance Moms Seasons 4–6, takes the Hot Seat for part 2 of her episode of Leave It On The Dance Floor! She reflects on her time at the Abby Lee Dance Company — before, during, and after the show — as a member of the original Select Competition Tea ... Show More
58m 21s
Dec 2024
Dead Woman Walking
Subscribe to Pillow Talk and join Christi, Kelly, Mellissa and Jill as they watch the new Dance Moms together! This exclusive package gives you access to all 10 episodes in both audio and video format, plus bonus content you won’t want to miss. Join us for the full experience—cli ... Show More
1h 13m
Jul 2024
Scissor Hands Secrets (with Ashley Hosbach)
Ashley Hosbach of Dance Moms Season 8 is here to spill on her time at the ALDC coming in as a studio owner herself, the Mama Drama that made the final cut and DIDN’T make the final cut & how she feels seeing her daughter Pressley achieving her dreams in LA as an influencer and mu ... Show More
1h 24m
Mar 2025
Salma Hayek Pinault: When Determination Meets Destiny | 270
Salma Hayek has always believed in her destiny. After becoming a telenovela superstar in her native Mexico, she ditches fame and fortune in her own country, and leaves it behind her for the mere chance of making it in Hollywood. Once she lands in LA, however, it’s clear to her th ... Show More
53m 14s
Sep 2019
Pressley Hosbach Talks About Her Toughest Time on Dance Moms
#PressleyHosbach #DanceMoms #ToThePointe Pressley Hosbach is a cast member of Season 8 on Dance Moms, along with her mom, Ashley. Her mom was a professional dancer, choreographer and studio owner, so Pressley grew up in a dance family. For more dance news, visit DanceNetwork.tv: ... Show More
56m 5s
Aug 2024
Encore: Jessica Simpson: Blonde. Billionaire. Boss | The Newlyweds Game | 240
As things within the Simpson family deteriorate, Jessica puts her faith in the only stable person in her orbit: her boyfriend Nick Lachey. Together, they take the world by storm with their MTV reality show The Newlyweds. The show catapults Jessica to fame. She’s finally found her ... Show More
38m 36s