‘Dance Moms’ Season 7 Begins Filming And JoJo Siwa Is Noticeably Absent

“Dance Moms” only just kicked off the season half of Season 6 but the Lifetime series is already in production on Season 7. While a majority of the ALDC returned for the first competition back over the weekend, there was one cast member noticeably absent: JoJo Siwa.

Photos from Sheer Talent competition in Las Vegas on Saturday show JoJo, 13, was not present to compete alongside the rest of Abby Lee Miller’s elite junior team. JoJo’s mother, Jessalynn Siwa, is also missing from a group photo of the moms.

JoJo and Jessalynn have not confirmed their leave from the show but JoJo’s recent YouTube upload hints she’s staying in Los Angeles, where “Dance Moms” is filmed, for the long haul. Her video “COME PACK WITH ME,” posted to her channel Wednesday, shows her and her mother packing up their belongings for their LA apartment. Despite her return to the West Coast, JoJo refueled speculation she is leaving the show on Sunday, posting an Instagram update with the caption “can’t wait for you guys to see what’s coming up for me.”

JoJo’s disappearance doesn’t come as a surprise to those familiar with the drama in the “Dance Moms” community. JoJo has not competed with her teammates on the show since May. Rumors she was quitting the program began swirling after she failed to perform the number “Hotline“ with her co-stars at Fierce National Dance Competition on May 28. Abby teased JoJo’s absence on Twitter, hinting it was caused by her desire for a pool day. While JoJo recently called the current season one of her “faves,” it seems her time with the ALDC (Abby Lee Dance Company) may be coming to an end.

Luckily for “Dance Moms” fans, the rest of the elite junior team is intact. Despite rumors Nia Sioux was leaving the show following her off-Broadway debut, the 15-year-old can be seen with her co-stars in numerous competition photos. She also competed in the group number “Fight Camp/Club” Saturday. Abby’s mini team joined the older dancers in the number, which is said to have placed first overall.

The group dance wasn’t the only piece the ALDC competed. One “Dance Moms” spoiler site reports Brynn Rumfallo, 13, danced to a lyrical solo “Evita,” placing first in the pre-teen division and first overall. Kendall Vertes, 13, is said to have performed a contemporary Cleopatra-inspired number, which took home fourth in her division.

Currently on “Dance Moms,” Abby just promised her students she would pay them more attention. However, it appears she may break that promise in episode 20 when “talk of the girls’ technique erupts at competition” and she “abandons the team,” according to Lifetime’s synopsis. Fans can catch up on all the drama when “Nia & Kendall Face Off” airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. EDT.