Abby Lee Miller’s ‘Dance Moms’ Mini Team ‘Sent Home’ As Candy Apples Return For Season 7

Abby Lee Miller will spend the second half of “Dance Moms” Season 6 prepping her mini team for greatness, but it appears all her work will be in vain. The coach has revealed that Lifetime producers sent home her younger performers this week during filming for Season 7 of the series.

“The network/ production co sent the #aldcminis home today. I’m sick over it!” Abby wrote on Instagram Thursday, including a shot of four of her mini dancers. “They are talented first & foremost, but also respectful, hard working, dedicated, and a joy for our entire faculty to work with! I’m sure in time the world would’ve come to know and love them just like all of you did with a different bunch of little girls I introduced to you 5 years ago!!!”

The mini team members have not directly responded to their supposed leave from the show. “Thank you GIGGLERS for all your love and support today!” dancer Alexus Oladi posted to Instagram late Thursday. “Love you all! NEVER GIVE UP.” Newcomer Elliana Walmsley also shared a team photo, writing she made “#friendsforlife” on the show.

While it’s unclear what Lifetime’s reasoning for sending home the minis was, Abby’s longtime nemesis, Cathy Nesbitt-Stein’s Candy Apples, are said to be returning for the new episodes. Cathy confirmed her Season 7 comeback on Twitter Wednesday after a photo of her posing with her team surfaced.

Cathy, an original “Dance Moms” cast member, was last seen in Season 5. Cathy told International Business Times in August 2015 that she was open to reprising her role on the show, but was torn about leaving her Ohio dance studio in favor of filming new episodes in Los Angeles.

“I would love, love, love to come back to the show,” she told IBT. “I absolutely enjoy doing it. If they could do something that they could come back here I would definitely be very interested participating with them.”