Viewers of Dancing with the Stars are furious after one of the performers danced a so-so cha cha with a bedazzled bracelet on her right ankle. What looked like a harmless ankle braclet, had a serious meaning…
But the competitor shamelessly defended herself and told the silent audience, “I’ve reinvented myself many times” and “this time I’m going to be a ballroom dancer.”
Keep reading to learn the identity of the woman who created such a stir by dancing on the hit TV series!
Ezra Sosa was presented with a massive challenge in season 33 of Dancing with the Stars, his first as a series pro.
His partner claimed to have experience as a dancer but he admits that he has his doubts.
about to dump some #dwts prom pics 🤓🥳 pic.twitter.com/jNA3icQa6K
— Ezra Sosa (@ezra_sosa) October 22, 2022
When Sosa was asked about his partner’s past experience, he says, “she did ballet and modern.” Laughing, the Latin dancer continues, “I don’t think she did…”
Sosa is one of millions around the world who doesn’t trust anything his partner says.
‘Fake heiress’
The 33-year-old woman was convicted of grand larceny on multiple counts after she posed as a wealthy German heiress and scammed countless socialites along with several prominent banks and hotels while she was in New York.
Sosa’s partner is the Russian-born Anna Sorokin – who goes by Anna Delvey – the inspiration behind the Netflix drama Inventing Anna.
Delvey became a household name after her crime spree – she defrauded people, banks, and hotels – was made the subject of the Netflix TV show, where she was perfectly portrayed by actor Julia Garner.
— Anna Delvey (@theannadelvey) September 4, 2024
She was convicted of grand larceny on multiple counts in 2019, and was released from prison in 2021 for good behavior. Next, after violating the terms of her Visa, she was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention to home confinement.
Now a flight risk, she wears the ankle monitor as she fights deportation from the U.S. back to Germany, the country she currently holds a citizenship.
‘I was in jail’
On September 17, the convicted fraudster sparked a lot of controversy with her appearance on the first episode of the DWTS season.
After Delvey was introduced as a “fashionista and entrepreneur,” she stepped on the dance floor with Sosa to begin a cha-cha routine to Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Espresso.”
The duo was wearing an ombre blue, purple, pink and yellow ensemble, with Delvey pairing her look with a blinged out ankle monitor.
During the segment, Delvey explained her surprising accessory: “I overstayed my visa because I was in jail so it’s kind of hard to leave,” she said with a giggle.
“I did serve my time…I reinvented myself many times, and this time I’m going to be a ballroom dancer.”
@anna.delvey.xoxo #annadelvey #annasorokin #fyp #viral ♬ original sound – anna.delvey.xoxo
The judges praised her efforts and expressed their shock over her performance.
“I’m kind of, like, lost for words a little bit,” said Derek Hough. “You actually have the facility to be a really beautiful dancer. Truly, you really do…I was kind of surprised.”
Bruno Tonioli then was more creative with his opinions: “Reinventing Anna … yet again! And it could be working!”
Meanwhile, Carrie Ann Inaba addressed the unusual silence in the studio.
“I just wanna say something. When you came out on the dance floor there was a shift in the energy in this room,” Inaba said. “And I would just like to say let’s all just give this a chance, because I can imagine that this is scary for you, and I’m not pro, or for, against anything that you’ve done. But this is about your dancing here.”
‘I’m disgusted’
However fans of the show were not as kind.
While the majority of people criticized her “robotic” and “miserable face,” others were fired up over the ankle monitor.
“Ankle monitors are not iconic. She should not be on this show,” writes one netizen on the DWTS Instagram page. A second shares, “Felons should not be given any sort of spotlight.”
A third user takes jabs at Delvey’s title: “ooof. ‘Fashionista and entrepreneur?’ No…criminal.”
On the DWTS Facebook site, another fan adds, “Let’s glamorize an ankle bracelet. I’m disgusted.”
Others expressed their frustration with the show casting someone like Delvey. “Sorry but I’m disappointed in ABC for giving her this platform,” while a second shares “She’s the reason I’m not watching the season and I’m a devoted watcher. To ‘glamorize’ a thief is just not ok with me.”
Another cyber user writes, “Way to go DWTS. Anna Delvey should have never been chosen to be on this season. Great idea to bling up her ankle monitor and set a great example for others. She’s a felon for goodness sake!”
A fourth adds, “The dancers should be role models for the viewers. This leaves a sour taste and will not watch the show anymore.”