'Dance Moms' Star Abby Lee Miller Gets Feisty Before Court Appearance

By
ETONLINE

It's safe to sayDance Moms star Abby Lee Miller isn't backing down when it comes to her court case against her former co-star Kelly Hyland.

ET was the only outlet to capture Miller on camera before her court appearance in New York City on Tuesday, Jan. 13, where she faced Hyland regarding the ugly Nov. 2013 incident that was actually captured by Dance Mom cameras. Miller and Hyland -- the mother of Brooke, 16, and Paige, 13, both students of Miller's -- were involved in a physical scuffle at a dance event in New York, which escalated into Hyland slapping and pulling Miller's hair.

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Hyland is now on trial for attempted assault.

"I think the judge will handle it, let's hope," Miller told our cameras outside the courthouse. "And I think that the video tape speaks for itself."

But Hyland's lawyer Steven Goldstein tells a different story.
"It's quite clear what happened," he said. "That the alleged victim is the aggressor. My client is defending herself."

The pending court case didn't stop Miller from plugging her Lifetime show.

"We had 29% higher ratings, the first episode back without any promos, without any publicity," she said proudly. "And we have a great show planned for you tonight, and I'm opening a dance studio in Los Angeles. That's the big deal."

She’s also very proud of her student Maddie Ziegler who starred in Sia’s controversial "Elastic Heart" music video and will perform alongside Shia Labeouf on Saturday Night Live this weekend. "I've had three girls on it so far. She's the third," Miller bragged.

VIDEO: 'Dance Moms' Star Abby Lee Miller Accused of Assault By 13-Year-Old Dancer

This isn't the end of legal trouble for the Dance Moms star, either. In October, Miller was hit with another lawsuit from Hyland's 13-year-old daughter Paige accusing her of assault and seeking more than $25,000 in damages.

"The whole incident is very unfortunate," Miller told ET in July about the public spat, while promoting her book Everything I Learned About Life, I Learned in Dance Class. "There's a criminal case in New York City, and it's the state versus her, and I'm out of it now, and that's all I'm at liberty to say."

Watch the interview below: