Dance Moms: A New Era" Sparks Outrage with Dance Inspired by JonBenét Ramsey Murder

A deeply disturbing episode of "Dance Moms: A New Era" has ignited controversy after featuring an 11-year-old dancer performing a routine inspired by the tragic murder of JonBenét Ramsey. The tasteless and inappropriate dance has drawn widespread condemnation on social media.

The latest episode of "Dance Moms: A New Era" has sent shockwaves through viewers, with its latest dance routine drawing widespread criticism for its insensitive portrayal of a real-life tragedy. In episode 8, 11-year-old dancer Ashlan was assigned a dance inspired by the unsolved murder of JonBenét Ramsey, a six-year-old child beauty pageant winner who was killed in 1996.

Dance Moms: A New Era" Sparks Outrage with Dance Inspired by JonBenét Ramsey Murder

The dance routine, assigned by dance coach Gloria "Glo" Hampton, depicted Ramsey's life as a glitz pageant queen whose parents relentlessly pursued fame and stardom for her. The routine culminated in Ashlan placing her hands around her neck, mirroring the manner in which Ramsey was found strangled to death.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Ashlan's mother, Lisa, provided her daughter with a timeline of Ramsey's murder investigation, urging her to "research everything" about the case. The outlet reported that Ashlan expressed discomfort with the subject matter, stating, "Oh my gosh, this is really not for me, but I'll do anything for the win."

Dance Moms: A New Era" Sparks Outrage with Dance Inspired by JonBenét Ramsey Murder

However, Hampton reportedly encouraged Ashlan to embrace the emotions surrounding Ramsey's story, saying, "Remember, it's a really sad, tragic story." She prompted the young dancer to consider the fame and pressure that Ramsey faced, and whether her parents truly had her best interests at heart.

Ashlan's performance drew immediate backlash on social media, with many viewers expressing their disgust and outrage. "It was extremely disturbing," wrote one Reddit user. "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: A New Era" Sparks Outrage with Dance Inspired by JonBenét Ramsey Murder

Another user commented, "The worst part to me was Ashlan’s mom sharing the entire story with her. It clearly upset her. I couldn’t believe how much Ashlan looked like Jon Benet."

The controversial dance routine sparked a debate on social media, with users questioning the appropriateness of using a real-life tragedy as inspiration for a dance performance. "I think a dance about Jonbenet could never truly be done in taste," one user shared. "Simply because there is no happy ending, it’s just emphasizing a horrific murder of a child."

Dance Moms: A New Era" Sparks Outrage with Dance Inspired by JonBenét Ramsey Murder

"The dance didn't even remotely tell the story of JBR either," another user added. "Not even in the slightest!!!"

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, which aired on Lifetime from 2011 to 2019. The show features aspiring young dancers and their mothers as they navigate the competitive world of dance.

Dance Moms: A New Era" Sparks Outrage with Dance Inspired by JonBenét Ramsey Murder

The latest controversy surrounding "Dance Moms: A New Era" raises important questions about the ethical considerations that should guide the portrayal of real-life tragedies in entertainment. Critics have argued that the use of Ramsey's murder as inspiration for a dance routine is exploitative and disrespectful to the victim and her family.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether "Dance Moms: A New Era" will re-evaluate its approach to sensitive subject matter in future episodes.