A recent episode of “Dance Moms: A New Era” sparked controversy after an 11-year-old contestant performed a number inspired by the tragic case of JonBenét Ramsey.

This disturbing decision was made to secure Studio Bleu a spot at the national championships. The new coach, Miss Glo, assigned Ashlan, one of the young dancers, a routine based on the infamous story of the child beauty queen.

Ashlan’s mother Lisa explained the disturbing connection to her daughter, saying: “You’re going to be a glamorous beauty pageant girl. That was JonBenét, but then she was kidnapped and murdered.”

Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, Miss Glo did not delve into the gruesome details. Instead, she suggested that Ashlan and her mother investigate the case themselves and even provided them with timestamps related to the murder investigation.

Before stepping onto the dance floor, Ashlan expressed her discomfort, saying, “Oh my God, this is really not for me, but I’ll do whatever it takes to win.” To ensure Ashlan fully embodied the tragic role, Miss Glo offered some somber advice: “Remember, it’s a really sad, tragic story. So you’re playing this little kid who’s been paraded around all these pageants, and your parents want this fame and celebrity for you. But is that what they really want?”

The performance, in which Ashlan, among other things, mimicked her predicament by grabbing her throat, left many viewers disturbed. The reactions on social media were immediate and critical. One Reddit user commented: “How was the audience supposed to know that this was about JonBenét Ramsey? It was weird.”

Another viewer expressed his discomfort, saying, “It was extremely disturbing. They easily could have pulled a beauty pageant number without exploiting JonBenét’s murder.”

Despite Ashlan’s efforts, the routine only secured her fourth place, leaving her national aspirations uncertain. After the performance, Ashlan expressed her frustration, telling her mother, “I kind of know how JonBenét felt. I’m never good enough.”

“Dance Moms: A New Era” is currently available to stream on Hulu.