A recent episode of Dance Moms: A New Era has ignited controversy after an 11-year-old contestant performed a routine inspired by the tragic case of JonBenét Ramsey.
The unsettling choice was made in an effort to secure a spot at nationals for Studio Bleu, with the new instructor, Miss Glo, assigning Ashlan, one of the young dancers, a routine based on the infamous story of the child beauty queen.
Ashlan's mother, Lisa, was seen explaining the disturbing context to her daughter, saying, "You're going to be a glitz pageant girl. That's who JonBenét was, but then she got kidnapped and murdered."
Despite the gravity of the subject matter, Miss Glo did not delve into the gruesome details, instead suggesting that Ashlan and her mother research the case on their own, even providing them with timestamps related to the murder investigation.
Before stepping onto the dance floor, Ashlan expressed her discomfort, stating, "Oh my gosh, this is really not for me, but I'll do anything for the win." To ensure Ashlan fully embodied the tragic role, Miss Glo offered some grim advice: "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?"
The performance, which included Ashlan mimicking distress by grasping at her throat, left many viewers disturbed. Social media reactions were swift and critical, with one Reddit user commenting, "How was the audience supposed to deduce that was about JonBenét Ramsey? It was weird."
Another viewer expressed their discomfort, stating, "It was extremely disturbing. They could’ve easily done a beauty pageant routine 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 kinda know how JonBenét felt. I'm never good enough."
Dance Moms: A New Era is currently available for streaming on Hulu.
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