Former Dance Moms star Chloe Lukasiak has given fans an update following her explosive exit from the show that is still airing on Channel 4Chloe Thomas17:35, 12 Jun 2026Former Dance Moms star Chloe Lukasiak has revealed she is still battling the emotional scars of her time on the hit reality show, which is now being aired on Channel 4 - as she admits she is suffering nightmares linked to her experiences under notoriously tough dance coach Abby Lee Miller.‌The 25-year-old dancer and influencer, who found fame as one of the original stars of the smash-hit US series, made the candid confession during an online Q&A with fans on social media, where she boasts more than 7.8 million followers.‌When asked whether she would ever return to dancing, Chloe admitted she is still working through deep-rooted trauma connected to her years on the show.‌She said: "I've been having actual nightmares about dance, or my old teacher, or being onstage to the point where I started to dread going to sleep. It's been a true wake-up call as to how much unresolved trauma I need to deal with now."Dance Moms became a global phenomenon when it launched in 2011, following a group of talented young dancers and their ambitious mothers at the Abby Lee Dance Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.‌The show quickly became known as much for its explosive arguments and confrontations as its dance routines, with Miller's harsh teaching methods regularly sparking controversy among viewers.Chloe was one of the programme's breakout stars - along with JoJo Siwa and Maddie Ziegler. She quickly became a fan favourite thanks to her rivalry with fellow dancer Maddie and her determination to succeed despite repeated clashes with coach Miller.However, behind the scenes, Chloe has previously spoken about the damaging impact the experience had on her confidence and mental wellbeing. She left the series in 2014 before later returning for its seventh season.‌Miller herself has remained a controversial figure since the show's success. In 2017 she was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to bankruptcy fraud charges and served time before being released in 2018.The dance teacher also underwent treatment for a rare form of cancer after her release. Despite her convictions and time spent in jail, she officially left the show in 2020.Over the years, several former cast members have spoken publicly about the pressures they faced while filming the reality series at a young age.‌Indeed, Maddie Ziegler, now 23, who went on to star in Sia's Chandelier music video, revealed in a 2023 interview how the trauma of the hyper-competitive environment was so intense, she’s blocked out large chunks of her childhood.She shared: "During the first series of the show, I was seven and there were male producers, telling me what I had to say and do and my mom wasn't even in the room. I did as I was told, and they’d say, “Say you’re the best” and so I was perceived as this little brat. After I watched the first episode I just cried, cos I thought, 'Oh no everything thinks I am a little s**t.'"Maddie also told how she faced pressure from coach Miller throughout the series and said: "I was seen as the lead dancer and she thought I was her lead girl, so I had to lead everyone to victory every time, which is not sustainable."Article continues belowLike this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads