Anna Delvey is officially a contestant on Dancing With the Stars season 33 — and fans are furious.
The notorious grifter was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison in 2019 after being found guilty on eight charges, nearly all attempted grand larceny, per People. It was estimated that she stole around $275,000 altogether. She was released from prison in 2021.
Now, three years later, ABC announced that the 33-year-old scammer would be one of the celebrities competing for the mirrorball trophy this season. She joins the ranks of stars like Olympic pommel horse hero Stephen Nedoroscik, Tori Spelling, Bachelor Nation’s Joey Graziadei and Jenn Tran and more. Many fans, perhaps needless to say, are up in arms about Delvey’s controversial casting.
“This next celebrity is scamming her way on to the dance floor. Here to show her dancing abilities are no fraud, it’s Anna Delvey and (partner)!” one X user predicted when the news was leaked late last month.
“I had to comment on the #DWTS cast real quick. Anna Delvey, really? Casting decisions like this is why [former longtime host] Tom Bergeron quit,” another social media user opined.
Anna Delvey poses on July 13, 2023 in New York City. Delvey was released from prison on good behavior in February of 2021 after serving nearly four years. Delvey’s casting on season 33 of ‘DWTS’ in September 2024 caused backlash from fans.
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
“The retooling of Anna Delvey is a constant reminder of the double standards that exist in the country,” wrote a viewer.
Another person questioned how Delvey was even able to leave her home to compete. “Anna delvey isn’t a star of anything and how can she leave her house to dance?” they questioned.
Well, it looks like they got her answer as Delvey’s official DWTS photo literally shows her wearing an ankle monitor.
“Anna Delvey having to wear an ankle monitor in her #DWTS promo photo is absolute perfection,” one person quipped.
“ANNA DELVEY AJSJSJSS i support women’s wrongs,” joked another viewer.
DWTS is no stranger to casting controversial mirrorball hopefuls over their 30-plus seasons. Past contestants include highly divisive political figures like Sean Spicer, celebrity chef Paula Deen (who admitted to the use of past racial slurs and was subsequently fired from the Food Network), and boxer Floyd Mayweather, who had domestic violence accusations against him.
