An episode of "Dance Moms: A New Era" is causing controversy after a young dancer performs a routine inspired by the tragic murder of JonBenét Ramsey. The dance, which includes the girl placing her hands around her neck, has sparked outrage on social media.
The latest episode of "Dance Moms: A New Era" has ruffled feathers with a controversial dance routine inspired by the tragic murder of JonBenét Ramsey. In episode 8 of the Hulu series, 11-year-old dancer Ashlan performs a sequence that draws heavily from the infamous case of the child beauty pageant winner who was murdered Christmas Day 1996 at age 6.
The routine was assigned to Ashlan by dance coach Gloria "Glo" Hampton, who informed the child that Ramsey was "a glitz pageant queen," according to Entertainment Weekly. Hampton reportedly left it up to Ashlan and her mother Lisa to research "everything" about Ramsey.
Dance Moms' Controversial JonBenét Ramsey Routine Sparks Outrage
Lisa, eager for her daughter to make it to nationals, gave Ashlan a timeline of Ramsey's murder investigation. "Oh my gosh, this is really not for me, but I'll do anything for the win," Ashlan is quoted as saying.
Hampton is seen coaching Ashlan, saying, "Remember, it's a really sad, tragic story." "So you're playing this young child who was put on display at all these pageants, and your parents want this fame and stardom for you. But is that what they really want?" said Hampton, as quoted by the U.K.'s Daily Mail.
Dance Moms' Controversial JonBenét Ramsey Routine Sparks Outrage
Ashlan performs the shocking sequence, at one point placing her hands around her neck. Ramsey was found strangled to death. Ashlan ended up taking fourth place. "I kinda know how JonBenét felt," she told her mother at one point, as quoted by Entertainment Weekly. "I’m never good enough."
Many viewers took to social media to express their disgust over the controversial performance. "It was extremely disturbing," one person wrote on Reddit. "I feel with cases like Jonbenet and Gypsy Rose where the cases are incredibly public, several documentaries and movies made about them…people start to blur the lines and forget these are actual real life children."
Dance Moms' Controversial JonBenét Ramsey Routine Sparks Outrage
"I think a dance about Jonbenet could never truly be done in taste," the user shared. "Simply because there is no happy ending, it’s just emphasizing a horrific murder of a child. They could’ve easily done a beauty pageant routine without exploiting Jonbenets murder."
"The worst part to me was Ashlan’s mom sharing the entire story with her," another user shared. "It clearly upset her. I couldn’t believe how much Ashlan looked like Jon Benet."
Dance Moms' Controversial JonBenét Ramsey Routine Sparks Outrage
"The dance didn't even remotely tell the story of JBR either," another user added. "Not even in the slightest!!!"
"Yeah that ‘joke’ was gross and sad. Like that was a real little girl that happened to," one user wrote.
Dance Moms' Controversial JonBenét Ramsey Routine Sparks Outrage
A spokesperson for Hulu did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. "Dance Moms: A New Era" is a reboot of the original "Dance Moms" series on Lifetime. "Dance Moms," which starred Abby Lee Miller, aired from 2011 to 2019.
The controversy over the JonBenét Ramsey routine highlights the ethical concerns surrounding the portrayal of real-life tragedies in entertainment. Some viewers argue that such performances exploit the victims and their families, while others defend the artistic freedom of creators to address difficult topics. The debate is likely to continue as the line between entertainment and exploitation becomes increasingly blurred.
