The View Hosts Bash for Dancing with the Stars’ Convicted Felon Anna Delvey

The hosts of The View have expressed their concerns regarding ABC’s decision to cast convicted felon Anna Delvey in the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars. Delvey, 33, is a Russian-born German citizen who served four years in prison for defrauding banks, hotels, and individuals out of over $200,000. After her release in 2021, she was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for violating the terms of her visa. She later received a house arrest sentence, which she is currently serving.

Since her release, Anna Delvey has gained international notoriety following the release of Netflix’s 2022 miniseries Inventing Anna, which illustrates her life and exploits. On the September 8 episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg voiced her discontent regarding the perceived double standards surrounding Delvey’s situation.

Goldberg highlighted the plight of families who have endured hardship due to ICE actions, questioning the fairness of Delvey’s situation. “I think back to all the families who’ve had family members arrested by ICE, who have gone to the courts to get their dad or their mother or their brother back,” she remarked. “And this woman, they gave her permission to go do this. Now, should I think there’s a reason? Is there a two-tiered system here with ICE?”

Delvey recently disclosed that ICE granted her permission to participate in Dancing with the Stars. Sunny Hostin echoed Goldberg’s sentiments, criticizing the notion that Delvey’s crimes have not warranted appropriate consequences. Hostin noted, “She defrauded so many people and then spent about two years in prison and then had to spend another 18 months in prison for overstaying her welcome and overstaying her visa. So she committed another crime, and what is the consequence of it? A federal bejeweled ankle monitor and a spot on a television show.”

At a recent launch event for Dancing with the Stars, Delvey humorously declared her intention to “bejewel” her ankle monitor during her time on the show. Hostin remarked on the irony of Delvey’s appearance on the show, drawing a comparison to former President Donald Trump. “We have a felon running for president, why are we surprised?” she said.

Joy Behar, interjecting during the discussion, proposed a cheeky idea for a new spin-off series titled Dancing with the Felons that would feature Trump and other convicted politicians. Alyssa Farah Griffin then contributed her perspective, advocating for the idea of a redemption arc but emphasizing the importance of accountability. “I’m here for a redemption arc, not a rehabilitation arc, and the difference is this: somebody who has owned and taken responsibility for what they did wrong,” she stated.

Griffin expressed doubts about Delvey’s accountability, suggesting that con artists often continue their deceptive patterns. “She still owes people money, and con artists tend to remain con artists, so I would just say if you’re around her there, I’d be wary of schemes she might be working,” Griffin warned.

Goldberg reiterated her confusion regarding Delvey’s status in the United States. “I don’t understand why she ‘gets to stay’ in America,” she stated. Behar humorously suggested that Delvey’s attractiveness might play a role in her treatment, to which Goldberg responded, “Well, that’s a little bit of a piss-off. I like pretty people, too. But I’m listening to people b**** about what’s going on at the border, and I listen to all these people b**** about all these people who shouldn’t be here. Well, what the hell?”

Delvey has been partnered with professional dancer Ezra Sosa for season 33 of Dancing with the Stars, set to premiere on Tuesday, September 17, at 8 PM ET on ABC, with new episodes airing weekly thereafter.

Source: The View