Season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) premiered with a star-studded cast, featuring actors, athletes, and even a fashion icon. However, it was the inclusion of Anna Delvey, also known as Anna Sorokin, that truly set tongues wagging and ignited a firestorm of online discussions. For those unfamiliar, Delvey’s name is synonymous with audacious scams and high-society deception, making her casting on a family-friendly dance competition show an undeniably bold move by DWTS producers.
The season 33 lineup boasted a diverse array of personalities, including Ezra Sosa, Stephan Nedoroscik, Rylee Arnold, Eric Roberts, Britt Stewart, Ilona Maher, Chandler Kinney, Dwight Howard, Danny Amendola, Joey Graziadei, Brooks Nadar, Phaedra Parks, Tori Spelling, Jenn Tran, Reginald VelJohnson, and Brandon Armstrong. While this mix of celebrities promised entertainment, the spotlight inevitably shifted to Anna Delvey and the controversy surrounding her participation. Delvey, who gained notoriety for conning New York’s elite under the guise of a German heiress, was convicted on multiple counts, including attempted grand larceny and theft of services, as reported by Today. This criminal past raised eyebrows and prompted many to question the motives behind casting someone with such a checkered history on a mainstream platform like DWTS. The question lingered: Why would “Dancing with the Stars” invite such a divisive figure onto their stage?
Adding another layer to the intrigue was Delvey’s own apparent disinterest in the show. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, when asked about her favorite aspect of being on DWTS, Delvey quipped, “Getting eliminated.” This candid, almost flippant remark further fueled the narrative that Delvey’s heart wasn’t in the competition, leaving viewers and judges alike puzzled by her initial decision to join. If her enthusiasm was so low, why participate at all? This apparent lack of commitment became a focal point of discussions surrounding her brief stint on the show.
Delvey’s interactions with the judges, particularly Carrie Ann Inaba, also drew attention. After receiving critiques, Delvey reportedly stated, as per Entertainment Weekly, that the judges’ advice was “worthless” because it didn’t prevent her elimination. Inaba responded to these comments with disappointment, as noted by Soap Central, calling Delvey’s attitude “dismissive” and disrespectful to the opportunity, her partner Ezra Sosa, and the entire production team. Many viewers echoed Inaba’s sentiment, perceiving Delvey’s remarks as ungrateful and indicative of a lack of respect for the DWTS process.
However, amidst the controversy, Delvey’s partnership with Ezra Sosa offered a contrasting perspective. For Sosa, season 33 marked his debut as a professional DWTS dancer. Despite the baggage Delvey carried, Sosa approached the partnership with positivity and understanding. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sosa acknowledged Delvey’s past, stating, “I know what she did was really controversial and not right and I can never justify that for her or for anyone in her life.” Yet, he chose to focus on the present and give Delvey a chance, highlighting the importance of second chances and demonstrating remarkable empathy. Sosa’s positive attitude shone through, offering a counterpoint to the negativity surrounding Delvey’s casting.
Ultimately, Anna Delvey’s journey on “Dancing with the Stars” was brief, concluding with her early elimination. While her presence undoubtedly generated buzz and drew viewers, her apparent lack of engagement and controversial persona left many questioning the wisdom of her casting. In contrast, Ezra Sosa’s grace and positive outlook in the face of this challenging partnership provided a heartwarming takeaway. With Delvey and Sosa’s departure, the focus shifted to other contestants, with many viewers, like the author of the original article, now rooting for new favorites. Anna Delvey’s DWTS chapter, though short-lived, served as a compelling case study in controversial casting and its impact on reality television.
