'Dance Moms' News: Season 8 a Possibility?; Cheryl Burke Makes Her Debut
With season 7 of "Dance Moms" almost coming to an end, fans are wondering whether there is hope for more seasons.
It was previously reported that Abby Lee Miller would not be returning for an eighth season should Lifetime renew the show. Miller was found guilty of bankruptcy fraud and is facing a year-long prison sentence. But with Miller gone, does that mean the series will be concluding as well?
It seems that the network has yet to come to a final decision at this point. In an email exchange with International Business Times, Lifetime initially referred to the season 7 ender as a series finale, sending fans into a frenzy. However, the network went back and corrected their statement, now saying that the Oct. 31 episode will be a season finale.
Given that, it looks like there is hope for an eighth season. If Lifetime renews the series, it is speculated that Cheryl Burke from "Dancing With the Stars" will replace Miller. Burke is already scheduled to take Miller's place for the rest of season 7, beginning with episode 25. A preview of the episode shows the girls and their moms getting excited about Burke's arrival.
Burke was particularly shocked with how Miller left the teens. She told Us Weekly in September that "there were a lot of tears, anger and insecurity.
"I couldn't believe these beautiful girls that have zero confidence. That's not the way to live life," she said. "They said they'd been traumatized by Abby and her teaching methods. That's a shame because with teenagers it's so important to mentor them."
Burke also explained her style of teaching and revealed that she was particularly straightforward with the moms on the show.
"I'm not a yeller. But I am strict," she said. "I tell it how it is, especially with the mothers because I come from the original dance mom. She was hard on me, but in the right way."
"Dance Moms" season 7 airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EDT on Lifetime.