Fans of Dancing with the Stars are outraged after a performer delivered a lackluster cha cha while wearing a bedazzled bracelet on her right ankle. What seemed like an innocent accessory actually held significant meaning…
Despite the backlash, the contestant boldly defended herself, telling the quiet audience, “I’ve reinvented myself multiple times,” and “this time, I’m embracing my role as a ballroom dancer.”
Ezra Sosa faced a significant challenge in season 33 of Dancing with the Stars, marking his debut as a professional dancer on the show.
about to dump some #dwts prom pics 🤓🥳 pic.twitter.com/jNA3icQa6K
— Ezra Sosa (@ezra_sosa) October 22, 2022
While his partner asserted that she had dancing experience, Ezra confesses that he remains skeptical.
When Sosa was questioned about his partner’s previous experience, he remarked, “She did ballet and modern.” Chuckling, the Latin dancer added, “I don’t think she did…”
Sosa shares the skepticism felt by millions worldwide who doubt his partner’s claims.
The 33-year-old woman was convicted of multiple counts of grand larceny after pretending to be a wealthy German heiress, scamming numerous socialites as well as several prominent banks and hotels during her time in New York.
Sosa’s partner is the Russian-born Anna Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, the inspiration for the Netflix drama Inventing Anna.
Delvey gained notoriety after her crime spree—defrauding individuals, banks, and hotels—was adapted into a Netflix series, with actress Julia Garner delivering a remarkable performance in the lead role.
— Anna Delvey (@theannadelvey) September 4, 2024
She was convicted of multiple counts of grand larceny in 2019 and was released from prison in 2021 for good behavior. However, after violating the terms of her visa, she was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and placed under home confinement.
Now considered a flight risk, she wears an ankle monitor as she battles deportation back to Germany, her country of citizenship.
On September 17, the convicted fraudster stirred up considerable controversy with her appearance on the season premiere of Dancing with the Stars.
After Delvey was introduced as a “fashionista and entrepreneur,” she took to the dance floor with Sosa to perform a cha-cha routine to Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Espresso.”
The duo wore a vibrant ombre ensemble in shades of blue, purple, pink, and yellow, with Delvey adding a sparkly ankle monitor to her outfit.
During the segment, Delvey clarified the reason for her unexpected accessory: “I overstayed my visa because I was in jail, so it’s kind of hard to leave,” she said with a laugh.
“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 commended her efforts and shared their astonishment at her performance.
“I’m kind of, like, lost for words a little bit,” remarked Derek Hough. “You actually have the facility to be a really beautiful dancer. Truly, you really do…I was kind of surprised.”
Bruno Tonioli added a more playful touch to his remarks: “Reinventing Anna … yet again! And it could be working!”
Meanwhile, Carrie Ann Inaba commented on the unusual silence in the studio.
imagine being the #DWTS costume designer who had to make a matching outfit for Anna Delvey's ankle monitor pic.twitter.com/dXSLiu6jRE
— Betches (@betchesluvthis) September 18, 2024
“I just wanna say something. When you came out on the dance floor there was a shift in the energy in this room,” Inaba remarked. “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.”
However, fans of the show were less forgiving.
While many criticized her “robotic” demeanor and “miserable face,” others expressed outrage over the ankle monitor.
“Ankle monitors are not iconic. She shouldn’t be on this show,” commented one netizen on the DWTS Instagram page. Another added, “Felons shouldn’t be given any sort of spotlight.”
A third user took aim at Delvey’s title: “Oof. ‘Fashionista and entrepreneur?’ No… she’s a criminal.”
On the DWTS Facebook page, another fan wrote, “Let’s glamorize an ankle bracelet? I’m disgusted.”
Others voiced their frustration over the decision to cast someone like Delvey.“Sorry but I’m disappointed in ABC for giving her this platform,” one commenter expressed, while another shared, “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 chimed in, “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 commenter added, “The dancers should be role models for the viewers. This leaves a sour taste and will not watch the show anymore.”
