Abby Lee Miller and Cathy Nesbitt-Stein Reignite 'Dance Moms' Rivalry in New Show

Abby Lee Miller and Cathy Nesbitt-Stein, known for their contentious relationship on the reality series "Dance Moms," are reuniting for a new short-form competition show titled "Abby vs. Cathy: Hit the 8." The series is set to premiere on Oct. 27 on the ShortVydz platform.

"We're very good, [we] play with each other and we're iconic in the way that we act towards each other," Nesbitt-Stein told Page Six in a joint interview with Miller. Miller added that their interactions on the new show are genuine, stating, "It's my natural reaction to things that she says or feelings that she has." Nesbitt-Stein, 67, and Miller, 61, insist their relationship is built on years of shared history that predates their time on "Dance Moms."

"Well, we're colleagues. We always have been," Miller said when asked to describe their current relationship. Nesbitt-Stein recalled that they had socialized before "Dance Moms" began. "We had been to dinner well before the other show," she said. "So we're colleague-friends, colleague-frenemies, however you want to say that."

The new series will feature Miller and Nesbitt-Stein judging 128 dancers, aged 8 to 16, competing for a $10,000 grand prize. The competition will follow a bracket-style format with dance battles presented in short episodes lasting two to four minutes.

Miller stated that a common misconception about their past was that they didn't know each other before "Dance Moms" and that she immediately disliked Nesbitt-Stein. "I'm not a hateful person. Like, I don't hate people. And [the idea] that I hated her, that wasn't true," Miller explained. She attributed her on-screen frustration to Nesbitt-Stein being given her own competing dance team on the original series.

Nesbitt-Stein expressed regret over how their relationship deteriorated during the filming of "Dance Moms." "There were many times when I was filming that I would feel this overwhelming emotion to go into her room and say, 'Abby, please, let's not be mad at each other another anymore,' but I never did it." When asked what she would change about their past, Miller joked, "I just wish they wouldn't have given her her own team." Nesbitt-Stein responded, "Oh my God, here I am, tearing my heart out to her — my love for her as a friend — and she's worried about my team."

Both women accepted the opportunity to reunite when approached by Michael Hammond, a former producer for "Dance Moms." Miller expressed her approval of working in a professional and respectful environment on the new set.

The dancers' talent impressed both judges. "The talent was really amazing," Nesbitt-Stein said, with Miller adding, "Just so consistent. I can't believe how kids came out there three, four, five times and threw the same acrobatic trick perfectly every time."

Despite their reputation for critical feedback, Miller and Nesbitt-Stein emphasized that "Abby vs. Cathy: Hit the 8" provided a positive experience for the young dancers and their families. "So if there's anybody out there thinking that, 'Oh, the kids are gonna get torn down or this is just an opportunity to bash dancers' — it wasn't like that at all," Nesbitt-Stein stated. "We gave constructive criticism that was really good comments to them." Miller echoed this sentiment, noting that even parents of eliminated contestants were grateful for the feedback.

"Let's hope we get Season 2, because I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was great," Miller said.

"Abby vs. Cathy: Hit the 8" will be available on the ShortVydz app and ShortVydz.com.