An episode of "Dance Moms: A New Era" has sparked significant controversy with a dance routine themed around the tragic story of JonBenét Ramsey, causing a stir among audiences and on social media.
Fox News reported that the Hulu series faced backlash after featuring a routine that portrayed the murder of child pageant star JonBenét Ramsey, performed by an 11-year-old dancer.
In this episode, dance coach Gloria "Glo" Hampton tasked young Ashlan with a routine that drew inspiration from the life and untimely death of JonBenét Ramsey, who was murdered in 1996.
Glo described JonBenét as a "glitz pageant queen" and pushed Ashlan to delve deep into the child's story, aiming to bring a dramatic and poignant performance to the stage.
Ashlan's preparation involved extensive research into JonBenét's life, guided by her mother, Lisa, who provided a detailed timeline of the murder investigation.
The performance included elements that mimicked the tragic events of JonBenét's death, with Ashlan placing her hands around her neck at one point, symbolizing the manner of Ramsey's demise. This specific aspect of the routine was among the most criticized by viewers for its explicit and disturbing imagery.
Following the airing of the episode, viewers took to social media to express their dismay and discomfort with the choice of theme.
Many described the episode as disturbing and criticized it for exploiting a real-life tragedy for entertainment purposes. Comments ranged from shock at the explicit portrayal to sadness over the insensitivity shown towards the subject matter.
Reddit users particularly voiced strong opinions, with one stating, "It was extremely disturbing," and another lamenting that "a dance about JonBenét could never truly be done in taste."
The consensus among viewers seemed to align on the routine being in poor taste and failing to appropriately honor JonBenét's memory.
Some critiques also focused on the emotional impact on Ashlan. Observers commented on the visible distress she experienced during the episode, a sentiment echoed by Ashlan herself who expressed feelings of inadequacy and emotional strain from the role.
Ashlan, at only 11 years old, faced an enormous challenge with this routine.
During the episode, she expressed her discomfort with the theme. "Oh my gosh, this is really not for me, but I'll do anything for the win," she remarked, highlighting the pressure she felt to perform despite her reservations.
Glo Hampton, the dance coach, tried to emphasize the gravity and sensitivity of the story, reminding Ashlan, "Remember, it's a really sad, tragic story."
Glo's intention was to portray the complexities of a child thrust into the spotlight, mirroring JonBenét's life, with a narrative on the pressures imposed by her parents' ambitions for fame and stardom.
However, the narrative crafted by Glo and performed by Ashlan did not resonate well with the audience, who felt it missed the essence of JonBenét's story, focusing instead on the sensational aspects of her murder.
The dance competition itself saw Ashlan taking fourth place, a result that did not meet her expectations and left her feeling "never good enough," a sentiment that poignantly echoed her earlier connection to JonBenét's life.
This emotional turmoil was not lost on viewers, who criticized the decision to engage a young performer in such a heavy and controversial portrayal.
Reflecting on the performance, Ashlan shared with her mother, "I kinda know how JonBenét felt. I’m never good enough." This reflection highlights the deep emotional impact that the role had on her, blurring the lines between her performance and her personal feelings of inadequacy.
While the episode aimed to showcase a dramatic and impactful performance, the aftermath was a wave of criticism regarding the appropriateness of the theme and its execution.
The choice to use such a sensitive real-life event as the backbone for a competitive dance routine was questioned not just for its taste but for its psychological impact on the young dancer involved.
