‘DWTS’ Fans Outraged On Anna Delvey, ‘How Can She Compete?’

Ezra Sosa and Anna Delvey from Instagram

Each and every year, the Dancing With The Stars casting department tries to secure names that will get the public to talk and tune in. Previous controversial figures include Sean Spicer and Carole Baskin. But did they go a little too far this year with con artist Anna Delvey?

When the full cast list came out on September 4, the internet exploded with a wide range of opinions. Some DWTS viewers have called Anna Delvey an “icon.” Many others have slammed DWTS and ABC for allowing her to participate.

She is currently serving out her house arrest in New York. So how is it even possible?

Many DWTS Fans Are Boycotting Season 33 Over Anna Delvey

As many DWTS fans noticed, Anna Delvey has an ankle monitor in all of her promo photos. Her pro partner Ezra Sosa assured the media the ankle monitor wouldn’t be a problem when it comes to choreography. In fact, he might even bedazzle it.

And as for the house arrest issue, Delvey says she cleared it with ICE beforehand.

“Well, [DWTS] approached my team and I had to request ICE for permission to travel out of state because it’s being filmed in Los Angeles and I’m based in New York,” the 33-year-old PEOPLE. “It took them about 10 days to get it through the system and to get everything approved.”

But what really irked viewers was that the network and government would allow her participation to take place at all.

Anna Delvey from interview with Entertainment Tonight, sourced from YouTube
Entertainment Tonight/YouTube

On social media, there is no shortage of comments shaming ABC for casting her. It might be perfectly legal for her to be on the show, but very few people seem interested in watching her perform.

Even some long-term fans who never miss a season declared they wouldn’t watch this year.

Screenshot from DWTS on Instagram
Dancing With The Stars/Instagram

The View Takes Shots At DWTS & The Fraudster

Among Anna Delvey’s critics are the hosts of The View. In a recent episode, the hosts discussed the situation and determined it was incredibly unfair for ICE to grant Delvey special permission to join the show.

“I think back to all the families who’ve had family members arrested by ICE, who have gone to the courts to get their dad or their brother or their mother back, and this woman, they gave her permission to go do this?” Whoopi Goldberg stated her opinion. “Is there a two-tiered system with ICE?”

Whoopi went on to suggest that Delvey still owes people money — a statement the fraudster firmly took issue with. Anna Delvey clapped back at The View and called the women nasty.

Whoopi Goldberg from The View and Anna Delvey from a Variety interview, sourced from YouTube
Whoopi Goldberg/The View & Anna Delvey/Variety

“While you are entitled to your own opinions, you should at least get your facts straight. I served my time and paid everyone back in full three-plus years ago. Looking forward to your on-air correction. Stay nasty ladies, but don’t forget to vote September 17th!” she said in an official statement to Page Six.

What do you think about Anna Delvey’s involvement with DWTS this year? Will you still watch? Share your own thoughts in the comments.

Catch the Season 33 premiere at 8 PM Eastern time on Tuesday, September 17 on ABC. Follow TV Shows Ace online to keep up with this season’s coverage. 

Nikole Behrens
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