Anna Delvey’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Debut Faces Cold Reception from Fans

Tuesday night marked the premiere of Season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars,” and the spotlight was on a rather unexpected contestant: Anna Delvey, a convicted con artist, known for her role in the infamous scam that inspired the Shonda Rhimes Netflix series “Inventing Anna.” Delvey, whose real name is Anna Sorkin, gained notoriety after being convicted in 2019 for defrauding banks, hotels, and wealthy individuals by posing as a wealthy German heiress.

Despite the controversy surrounding her casting on the show, Delvey appeared on stage flaunting her new ballroom persona, complete with a somewhat lackluster cha-cha performance and a sparkling ankle monitor attached to her leg. Her introduction as a “fashionista and entrepreneur” was timed to maximize viewer interest, and she was the final dancer of the evening, taking the audience’s curiosity to the limit.

The atmosphere in the studio was striking; while the audience had previously erupted in cheers for Olympic athlete Stephen “Pommel Horse Guy” Nedoroscik and rugby star Ilona Maher, Delvey’s performance was met with an almost deafening silence. Dancing with new professional partner Ezra Sousa to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso,” Delvey’s routine failed to spark the same enthusiasm.

Digital screens behind her featured explosive visuals of Delvey perfume bottles on fire, yet her performance lacked the heat expected from such theatrical imagery.

In a voice-over preceding her dance, Delvey candidly reflected on her past. “In 2017, I was accused of multiple counts of grand larceny,” she admitted. Recalling her time in jail, she stated, “I did serve my time, and ‘Dancing With the Stars’ is a way to show people a different side of me.” Her determination was evident, particularly when she declared, “My prior history shows I’m pretty determined,” highlighting her best spin during the routine.

Delvey humorously added that she wore the ankle monitor because she had “overstayed my visa due to being in jail.” Laughing, she remarked on her ability to reinvent herself, declaring, “This time I’m going to be a ballroom dancer.”

The judges offered supportive feedback. Derek Hough seemed surprised to speak first, offering a mixture of compliments, while typically flamboyant judge Bruno Tonioli quipped, “Reinventing Anna yet again, and it could be working.” Carrie Ann Inaba, on the other hand, took the opportunity to address the audience, encouraging a more welcoming atmosphere. “There was a shift in the energy. Let’s all give this a chance,” she insisted. “This is about your dancing here. Let’s all give her that space, please.”

In terms of scoring, Delvey and Sousa received straight scores of 6s from all judges, totaling 18 points, which placed them in the middle of the standings for the evening. Following her performance, the phrase “Anna Delvey’s Lackluster DWTS Debut” began trending across social media platforms, capturing the public reaction.

During the show’s premiere, no couples were eliminated. Rather, the scores from this week, combined with viewer votes over the next two weeks, will contribute to the first elimination set for September 25.

In a post-performance interview with co-host Julianne Hough, Delvey’s responses were notably brief, and at times, unimpressive. When Hough asked her why she chose to participate in the show, Delvey succinctly replied, “Just why not?” Unable to mask her disinterest, she added, “I feel happy I don’t have to do this again.” Hough cleverly reminded her, “Well, maybe you’ll have to do one again next week.”

Overall, Anna Delvey’s participation in “Dancing With the Stars” has certainly stirred conversations, with viewers divided on whether this is an opportunity for redemption or merely an extension of her infamy.

Source: USA Today