Growing up under 24-hour public observation leaves deep marks. In candid interviews published throughout late 2025 and 2026, Vertes addressed how unexpected video clips from the series still trigger emotional responses. Millions of users on TikTok regularly repurpose scenes of nine-year-old Kendall crying or Abby Lee Miller screaming insults at her mother as viral audio memes.
Vertes has been transparent about navigating that discomfort. While viewers consume the show as disposable pop-culture comedy, the people on the receiving end were elementary school children dealing with real panic attacks and acute performance anxiety. She maintains no relationship with Miller today. Kendall credits therapy, the emotional sanctuary of her college years, and candid conversations with her mother Jill for helping her process the intense environment they both helped create.
