‘A New Era’ Sparks Controversy With JonBenet Ramsey Segment

This doesn’t seem like the topic you’d expect for a dance routine.

Dance Moms: A New Era recently made a triumphant return on Hulu, but not without some confusing and shocking moments along the way. One particularly controversial moment, as highlighted by Decider, involves a solo dance routine inspired by the tragic story of six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey.

In episode 8 of this Hulu original series, Gloria Hampton assigns 11-year-old Ashlan a solo dance inspired by Ramsey and her untimely death. “I want you to know all about her, everything about her family, and everything about her tragic ending, okay?” Hampton instructs. She titles the routine “Glitz” and sets Ashlan and her mother on a path of intense preparation.

“Oh my gosh, this is really not for me, but I’ll do anything for the win,” Ashlan comments, while her mother outlines Ramsey’s life timeline. Ashlan’s mother explains the infamous ransom note, the unresolved investigation, and the media frenzy surrounding the case. Later, Hampton coaches Ashlan, emphasizing the tragedy and sorrow behind the 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?” Hampton asks, according to Fox News. The routine includes a moment where Ashlan places her hands around her throat to symbolize Ramsey’s death by strangulation.

Despite the emotionally charged performance, Ashlan ends up in fourth place, leaving her feeling inadequate. “I kinda know how JonBenét felt,” she tells her mother. “I’m never good enough.”

Viewers were divided on the episode’s controversy. For some, the problem lay in even considering such a dance routine in the first place, let alone executing it. “My 9 y.o. discovered the new Dance Moms series… They filmed in real-time as the excited lead read the story on the internet and you could see her soul die,” Evie Nagy shared on X (formerly Twitter).

Others were taken aback that an 11-year-old needed to learn the gruesome details of a 6-year-old’s murder from her own mother. If you’re curious to see it for yourself, Dance Moms: A New Era is available for streaming on Hulu.

Source: Decider, Fox News