In an appropriately dramatic stage exit, Dance Moms reality TV star Abby Lee Miller has quit the show with an Instagram rant claiming she had been "manipulated, disrespected and used" by its producers.
The dummy spit comes weeks away from a May 8 sentencing hearing after Miller pleaded guilty to more than 20 counts of fraud across a complex web of financial transactions and failing to report bringing $120,000 of Australian currency into the United States after a tour down under in 2014.
The main charges laid against Miller are attempting to hide $US775,000 in earnings gained from the series and related work during a time when she was going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Miller could face two-and-a-half years in jail at the sentencing in May.
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The seventh season of Dance Moms wrapped in February, with some reports that filming had already taken place for season eight in the event that Miller does jail time, according to Deadline.
But in her Instagram blast, the abrasive 51-year-old dance instructor from Florida said she was quitting the show due to a dispute with producers, claiming she had "asked, begged and even demanded creative credit" for her ideas on the show "to no avail".
She went on to say she had dedicated her life "to making other people's children successful.
"I just have a problem with being manipulated, disrespected and used – day and day out by men who never took a dance lesson in their lives and treat women like dirt!"
On her Australian tour in 2014, she visited Melbourne, Sydney, the Gold Coast and Perth, holding masterclasses and meet-and-greet sessions, with tickets for young dancers $179 and accompanying parents $59.
She was then accused of attempting to smuggle $120,000 of Australian currency back into the US in her employee's luggage. Customs laws require that currency of more than $10,000 has to be declared.
Pleading guilty to all charges facing her in June 2016 she said in a statement: "I have made the difficult decision to close the door on this chapter of my life by accepting responsibility for mistakes I have made along the way.
"I appreciate all the wonderful messages of support I've received from around the world and look forward to the future and getting back to my life's work; helping young dancers fulfil their potential."
The reality show, which began in 2011, has remained a strong player for network Lifetime with its a kitsch glimpse into the highly competitive world of pre-teen dance contests.
The show also spawned young dancer Maddie Ziegler, who later moved to collaborating with Sia on the singer's music videos, including Chandelier.
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