Abby Lee Miller’s Enduring Attraction: Doubling Down on Controversial High School Football Player Comments
Reality television personality Abby Lee Miller, widely known for her role in the hit series Dance Moms, recently found herself at the center of a significant public debate. The 57-year-old choreographer reignited controversy by reiterating her long-held attraction to “high school football players,” a statement that has garnered considerable backlash and sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms and news outlets. Far from issuing an apology, Miller chose to double down on her opinion, further polarizing her audience and leading to intensified scrutiny of her remarks.
The initial spark for this contention ignited during her appearance on the September 8 episode of Sofia Franklyn‘s popular Sofia with an F podcast. During the candid conversation, Miller openly declared that high school football players were her “downfall” and unequivocally stated that she was “still” attracted to them. This revelation immediately raised eyebrows and drew criticism, given the age implications associated with “high schoolers.” Many listeners were quick to voice their discomfort and disapproval, interpreting her comments as inappropriate and concerning.
Despite the growing wave of criticism, Abby Lee Miller did not retreat from her position. Instead, just three days after the podcast aired, on September 11, she shared a video on her Instagram account, opting to “set the record straight” rather than apologize. In this video, she explicitly reinforced her controversial stance, making it clear that her attraction to this specific demographic was a deeply ingrained and enduring aspect of her preferences.
“Hello everybody, Abby Lee Miller here just to set the record straight,” she began her Sept. 11 video. “I do like those hot, athletic, muscular types of guys. The jocks. I always have and I always will.” Miller elaborated on her ideal partner, painting a vivid picture of the qualities she seeks beyond mere athleticism. Her description extended to financial stability, ambition, and an ability to cater to her specific needs and lifestyle. “And they must be able to go out to a club, gamble in Vegas, rent an ADA-compliant, handicapped-accessible van. And they should also have a business, a bank account, success and passion in their own right.” This further detailed articulation of her preferences, while seemingly broadening the scope, did little to quell the initial concerns about her initial statements regarding “high school football players” specifically, which many perceived as problematic due to the age demographic.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Abby Lee Miller (@therealabbylee)
The Influence of Hollywood and a Humorous Dig at Tom Brady
Miller further explained the origins of her attraction, attributing it to classic cinema. The 57-year-old reiterated that her fascination with “high school football players” stemmed from Tom Cruise‘s 1983 sports drama, All the Right Moves. She challenged her followers, stating that if they had seen the movie, they would “know exactly what I’m talking about.” For those unfamiliar, she encouraged them to “go watch it and then you’ll know,” suggesting the film visually captured the allure she describes. This reference aimed to provide cultural context for her preference, indicating that her attraction was rooted in a specific idealized image rather than a literal pursuit of minors.
Toward the end of her Instagram video, Abby Lee Miller injected a touch of humor by referencing one of the most celebrated figures in American football history. “This November is my high school class reunion, and I hope that the heartthrob is there — but if he’s not, I heard Tom Brady’s available,” she quipped. This lighthearted comment about the legendary quarterback, who divorced his wife Gisele Bundchen last year, was likely intended to lighten the mood and pivot away from the controversial topic. However, the humor was somewhat overshadowed by the ongoing debate, especially considering that Tom Brady, 46, is reportedly dating Russian model Irina Shayk, making Miller’s chances, as she herself might admit, slim to none. While this comment about Brady served as a celebrity-level joke, it also starkly contrasted with the severity of the initial comments about high schoolers, which continued to draw significant ethical concerns.
The Intensifying Backlash and Public Scrutiny
Abby Lee Miller’s decision to double down on her comments, particularly through a video she promoted as “setting the record straight,” only intensified the negative reactions online. The former reality star, who has always maintained a bold and often unfiltered public persona, faced a renewed wave of criticism. Fans and critics alike slammed her for what they perceived as an unsettling attraction to a demographic that includes minors, viewing her explanation as insufficient and her stance as unapologetically problematic.
Adding to the controversy was the timing of her Instagram video. Miller chose to release her message on September 11, a date of national remembrance and solemnity in the United States. Many online commentators found this choice of date to be insensitive and poorly judged, further compounding the reasons for public discontent. Critics argued that the gravity of the day overshadowed her attempt to clarify her personal preferences, making her video seem even more out of touch with public sentiment. In her caption for the video, Miller tried to manage the narrative, imploring her followers to “watch & listen to this in its entirety – not just a few questions or one single line! Thank you!” This plea suggested she believed her comments were being taken out of context, but the overarching public reaction indicated that the core message itself, regardless of context, was deemed inappropriate by a significant portion of her audience.
Miller’s Dating Standards and Public Persona
This isn’t the first time Abby Lee Miller has spoken about her dating preferences or her perceptions of age. Prior to this recent controversy, Miller, who has never been married, openly discussed having “high standards” for a romantic partner. In a 2017 interview with Entertainment Tonight, she articulated these standards, stating, “I have really high standards and in my mind, I’m like 22, 23, 24 … that’s like the age.” The former owner of the Abby Lee Dance Company also confessed to feeling significantly younger than her chronological age, a sentiment that might influence her perspective on potential partners. This past commentary provides a deeper understanding of Miller’s mindset, revealing a long-standing pattern of feeling youthful and having specific, perhaps unconventional, ideals when it comes to relationships. While her previous comments about feeling younger and desiring partners in their early twenties might explain her internal world, they do not alleviate the public concern surrounding comments perceived to be directed at minors, especially given her public platform.
The incident underscores the delicate balance public figures must maintain when expressing personal opinions. While celebrity honesty is often appreciated, statements touching upon sensitive topics, especially those involving age and attraction, invariably invite intense scrutiny. Abby Lee Miller’s enduring attraction to the “jock type,” as influenced by pop culture and her own youthful self-perception, has undoubtedly put her once again in the crosshairs of public debate. Her unwavering stance and refusal to apologize, characteristic of her no-nonsense reality TV persona, have only fueled the discussion, leaving many to wonder about the long-term impact on her public image and the ongoing dialogue surrounding celebrity responsibility.