“Dance Moms: A New Era” triggers strong reactions because of a dance routine inspired by JonBenét Ramsey: “Disgusting and sad”
A new episode of “Dance Moms: A New Era” is causing a stir.
In episode 8 of the Hulu series “Glo Don’t Give with Both Hands,” 11-year-old dancer Ashlan is assigned a dance routine inspired by the tragedy of JonBenét Ramsey.
The winner of a children’s beauty pageant was murdered on Christmas Day 1996 at the age of 6.
MADDIE ZIEGLER, alumna of “DANCE MOMS,” says her mother apologized for taking her to reality shows as a child
The dance routine was assigned to Ashlan by dance instructor Gloria “Glo” Hampton, who told the child that Ramsey was “a beauty queen,” Entertainment Weekly reported. According to the outlet, Glo leaves it up to Ashlan and her mother, Lisa, to find out “everything” about Ramsey.
In an episode of “Dance Moms: A New Era,” 11-year-old Ashlan performs a dance routine inspired by JonBenét Ramsey. (Hulu)
The outlet noted that Lisa, who is determined to make it to state, presents Ashlan with a timeline of the Ramsey murder investigation.
“Oh my God, this is really not for me, but I will do anything to win,” Ashlan is quoted as saying.
Hampton coaches Ashlan and says, “Remember, it’s a really sad, tragic story.”
“So you play this little kid who’s been put on display in all these beauty pageants, and your parents want this fame and celebrity for you. But is that what they really want?” Hampton said, according to Britain’s Daily Mail.
JonBenét Ramsey was murdered in 1996 at the age of 6. (Zuma Press, Inc./Alamy)
Ashlan performed the shocking scene with her hands around her throat. Ramsey was found strangled.
Ashlan ultimately finished in fourth place.
“I kind of know how JonBenét felt,” she once told her mother, as quoted by Entertainment Weekly. “I’m never good enough.”
Many viewers expressed their disgust at the controversial performance on social media.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
The shocking scene involving the child quickly sparked a debate on social media. (Hulu)
“It was extremely disturbing,” wrote one person on Reddit. “I feel like cases like Jonbenet and Gypsy Rose, which are incredibly public and have had multiple documentaries and movies made about them, blur the lines and forget that these are real children.”
“I think a dance about Jonbenet could never be truly tasteful,” the user shared. “Simply because there is no happy ending, it just highlights the gruesome murder of a child. They easily could have done a beauty pageant dance without exploiting Jonbenet’s murder.”
“The worst part for me was Ashlan’s mom telling her the whole story,” another user shared. “It obviously upset her. I couldn’t believe how much Ashlan looked like Jon Benet.”
“The dance did not remotely tell JBR’s story,” another user added. “Not in the slightest!!!”
“Dance Moms: A New Era” is a reboot of the original “Dance Moms” series. (Hulu)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Yes, that ‘joke’ was gross and sad. As if this happened to a real little girl,” one user wrote.
A Hulu spokesperson 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,” starring Abby Lee Miller, aired from 2011 to 2019.
