Dancing With the Stars has put the “con†in controversy. Not everyone was happy to hear convicted scammer Anna Delvey (or Sorokin) say that she got permission from ICE to travel out of state as one of the dance competition’s season-33 contestants. (Hey, house arrest didn’t stop her from landing a podcast and reality-show deal.) Ahead of the September 17 premiere on ABC, Delvey suggested to Entertainment Tonight that she’s not nervous — “what’s the worst that can happen? They’re not gonna arrest me for dancing badly†— and quipped in a People featurette that she hopes “the government†will be rooting for her. But what about all the complaints that Delvey shouldn’t get to twirl around on TV? DWTS showrunner Conrad Green addressed the backlash, telling Variety, “We’ve had other people on the show who’ve had criminal issues in the past. She served her time. I think it’s perfectly valid for her to be on the show, and I think people have been really curious to see how she performs.†If you do not have time for this whole thing, you’re in luck— here’s everything Anna Delvey did during her two-week stint on Dancing With the Stars.
Opening night: A caffeinated cha-cha
She’s working late, ‘cause she’s a scammer singer dancer. For the final performance of the night, a curly-haired Delvey performed a cha-cha with to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso†with a bedazzled ankle monitor and new pro Ezra Sosa. Described by hosts as a “fashionista and entrepreneur,†Delvey acknowledged in her intro package that people might associate her with grand larceny, but insisted that she’s hoping to highlight “a different side†of herself on DWTS. “My past history shows I’m pretty determined and it’s a good quality to channel into something positive,†she said. The real-life inspiration for Netflix’s Inventing Anna added, “I’ve reinvented myself many times, and this time I’m going to be a ballroom dancer.â€
After the performance, judge Carrie Ann Inaba pointed out that there was a “shift in the energy†in the room as soon as Delvey hit the floor. Inaba urged the audience to “give this a chance†and focus on the dancing. To that end, Delvey and Sosa received 18 out of 30 points — not the best, but not the worst either. What did Delvey have to say after receiving her score? “I feel happy that I don’t have to do this dance again.†She didn’t say whether she wants to do a new one, but she’s got no choice; no one went home tonight (but there will be a double elimination next week).
Devil Wears Prada moment: A quick step turned into a quick good-bye
During Oscars night, Ezra and fashionista Anna danced to “Suddenly I See†from The Devil Wears Prada as Anna has her own Andy moment, feeling “upset†seeing all the negative comments about her being on the show. However, Julia Fox (basically her Nigel) stepped into the practice studio to offer her some sisterly advice. “When you’re young, you might do some things that you might be ashamed of later. But it all happened to you so publicly so it’s only right that we now get to see your moment,†Fox told her during rehearsals. In a confessional, Fox tries to convince the audience to give Delvey some grace, explaining, “It’s sad to see all the people be so nasty because if it were their sister or mother, they would be all for a second chance.†Before cutting back to Delvey as the dance begins, Fox promises that she’ll win “over America’s hearts.â€
On the dance floor, Delvey received even more positive feedback despite her low scores. Carrie Ann Inaba felt she was still “holding back just a hair†but had “beautiful lines†while dancing. Derek Hough saw a “softness†in her performance, telling her, “I started to see Anna the person, not just the persona,†before giving her some technical feedback about her elbows. Delvey and Sosa received 17 out of 30 points this round, a tough score as she was unfortunately eliminated by the end of the evening alongside Tori Spelling and Pasha Pashkov.
When asked what she’s going to take away from the competition after being sent home, Delvey stayed in character, replying, “Nothing,†as the credits rolled in.