‘Dance Moms: A New Era’ Aired A JonBenét Ramsey Routine In Which A Dancer Pretends To Be Strangled — And Some Viewers Are “Extremely” Disturbed

A particular Dance Moms: A New Era routine has generated some chatter online.

In episode 8 of the new reality spin-off, titled “Glo Don’t Give with Both Hands,” Glo Hampton assigns Ashlan a solo inspired by JonBenét Ramsey, in which she would be portraying the young pageant contestant who was infamously murdered at only six years old.

Hampton asks Ashlan to research JonBenét in preparation for the number, called “Glitz.”

“I want you to know all about her, everything about her family, and everything about her tragic ending, okay?” she asks.

Later on, Ashlan’s mother Lisa explains Ramsey’s story to her, highlighting that she “got kidnapped and murdered.”

Ashlan says, “It’s gonna be hard pulling off as like a beauty queen. But you’re also gonna be pretending like you’re strangled.”

As Lisa shows her more information online about the late child beauty queen, Ashlan is saddened by the story, or as writer and editor Evie Nagy phrased it on X, “They filmed in real time as the excited lead read the story on the internet and you could see her soul die.”

Lisa continues delving into Ramsey’s gruesome, heartbreaking story, noting that there has been “no resolution” to her death and that “a ransom note” was discovered, and highlighting that Ramsey’s parents “were asleep in the house” when she was taken.

My 9 y.o. discovered the new Dance Moms series and I didn't think I could be shocked by any of this shit but they are doing a routine based on THE JEANBENET RAMSEY CASE. They filmed in real time as the excited lead read the story on the internet and you could see her soul die.

— Evie Nagy (@EvieN) August 18, 2024

Lisa picks up on her daughter’s excitement about the dance gradually turning into “negativity slipping in” as she learns more about the backstory. Ashlan ultimately adds, “Oh my gosh, this is really not for me, but I’ll do anything for the win.”

With a spot at Nationals on the line, there’s a lot of pressure on Ashlan to perform the routine to the best of her ability, as Hampton reminds her that “it’s a really sad, tragic story.”

Ashlan takes the stage in a white dress, blonde curls, and a face full of make-up. At the end of the number, Ashlan exits the stage with her hands on her throat.

After receiving critiques from Hampton, an upset Ashlan tells her mother, “I kinda know how JonBenét felt. I’m never good enough.”

Those who have tuned into the new series took to a Reddit forum to express how they felt about the controversial number. While critics found the routine “extremely disturbing” and “incredibly inappropriate and disrespectful,” others were confused as to how the audience was “supposed to deduce that was about JonBenet Ramsey.”

“The dance didn’t even remotely tell the story of of JBR either. Not even in the slightest!!!” another critic wrote, in part.

Some argued that “the worst part” was Lisa “sharing the entire story with her,” as one person claimed that she “was definitely more focused on trying to be her friend than an actual parent” in that moment.

To her dismay, the number earned Ashlan fourth place.

Dance Moms: A New Era is streaming on Hulu.