Anna Delvey, known for her scandalous past as a fake heiress, made a striking debut on Season 33 of 'Dancing With the Stars' (DWTS), complete with a bedazzled ankle monitor. Despite her controversial background, Delvey's participation in the show has been met with mixed reactions from the public and media. Judges and viewers alike were intrigued by her performance, which was marked by a significant shift in the room's energy, according to judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Anna Delvey, whose real name is Anna Sorokin, has taken her narrative from the courtroom to the dance floor in Season 33 of 'Dancing With the Stars.' Known for her past as a convicted scammer, Delvey's appearance on the show was highlighted by her unique accessory: a bedazzled ankle monitor, a nod to her ongoing legal issues. This move has sparked discussions about redemption and entertainment, blending her controversial reputation with a quest for public redemption through dance.
In her first appearance on 'DWTS,' Anna Delvey brought a unique flair to her performance, incorporating her court-mandated ankle monitor into her dance ensemble. The monitor was not just a legal requirement but became part of her statement, adorned with sparkles to match her outfit. This bold fashion statement was discussed during the show, with Delvey humorously addressing the constraints it posed during rehearsals. Her performance, a cha-cha to Sabrina Carpenter’s 'Espresso,' was described by judge Carrie Ann Inaba as a moment that shifted the energy in the room, urging the audience to give Delvey a chance to prove herself beyond her past misdeeds.
The decision to include Anna Delvey in 'DWTS' was met with mixed reactions. While some viewers were captivated by her transformation and integration into the show, others expressed skepticism about celebrating a convicted felon in a prime-time entertainment slot. Judges on the show, however, focused on her performance rather than her past. Derek Hough admitted to being surprised by her dancing skills, and Bruno Tonioli played on her notorious past with puns during his feedback. The inclusion of Delvey in the show raises questions about the intersection of entertainment, redemption, and public perception.
Delvey's participation in 'DWTS' was not just a test of her dancing skills but also a challenge for the show's costume designers. Tasked with incorporating her ankle monitor into her dance attire, the designers opted to turn the device into a fashion statement, reflecting Delvey's flair for style despite legal constraints. This approach by costume designer Daniela Gschwendtner not only adhered to the legal requirements but also embraced them as part of Delvey's new public persona, blurring the lines between her past and her present ambitions.
Anna Delvey's appearance on 'Dancing With the Stars' serves as a complex narrative of redemption, controversy, and entertainment. Her performance, marked by the bedazzled ankle monitor, symbolizes her current life situation—tethered by her past yet attempting a transformation in the public eye. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how her dance journey evolves and how audiences' perceptions might shift, offering a unique case study in the power of media and personality in shaping public narratives.
"When you came out on the dance floor, there was a shift in the energy in this room." - Carrie Ann Inaba
"We’re going to try and do something fun with it so it becomes part of the costume." - Daniela Gschwendtner