Why ‘Dancing with the Stars’ fans are upset about this contestant and her sparkly ankle bracelet
Fans of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ voice their frustration over a contestant’s appearance and the attention drawn to her sparkling ankle bracelet.
In a bold and surprising move, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) has drawn intense reactions after casting Anna Sorokin, the infamous con artist, in its latest season.
Sorokin, who posed as a wealthy German heiress and scammed New York’s elite, is now a ballroom dancer on the show, complete with a sparkling ankle monitor. While the judges were impressed with her performance, fans have been vocal, questioning the decision to give a platform to someone with such a criminal history.
— Anna Delvey (@theannadelvey) September 4, 2024
Many viewers have expressed anger, not only over Sorokin’s inclusion but also over her wearing a bedazzled ankle monitor, a symbol of her criminal past. “Ankle monitors are not iconic,” one fan shared, reflecting the feelings of many who found the move distasteful. Some argue that DWTS is glamorizing a criminal, rather than focusing on the show’s tradition of celebrating personal growth and dance skills.
Anna Sorokin, also known by her alias Anna Delvey, became a notorious figure after defrauding hotels, banks, and individuals while pretending to be a wealthy socialite. Her story inspired the Netflix series Inventing Anna. Convicted of grand larceny, Sorokin was released from prison in 2021, but her legal troubles continue. She’s currently under house arrest and fighting deportation, which explains the ankle monitor she proudly wore during her performance.
Despite the controversy, Sorokin defended her place on the show. “I’ve reinvented myself many times,” she said confidently during her introduction. “This time, I’m going to be a ballroom dancer.” Her partner, professional dancer Ezra Sosa, appeared skeptical about her dance experience but remained positive throughout the episode. The pair danced a cha-cha to the song “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter, which earned a mix of praise and surprise from the judges. Derek Hough even commented, “You actually have the facility to be a really beautiful dancer.”
However, not everyone in the studio was ready to celebrate Sorokin’s transformation. Carrie Ann Inaba pointed out the tension in the room, acknowledging that many might be hesitant to support someone with such a controversial past.
Online, the backlash was swift. Fans flooded DWTS’ social media pages with criticism, accusing the show of glorifying criminal behavior. “Sorry, but I’m disappointed in ABC for giving her this platform,” one person wrote. Others echoed the sentiment, with some even vowing to stop watching the show altogether. Many felt that Sorokin’s appearance set a poor example, particularly for a show that has traditionally been about redemption and personal growth.
@anna.delvey.xoxo #annadelvey #annasorokin #fyp #viral ♬ original sound – anna.delvey.xoxo
What do you think about Dancing with the Stars casting someone like Anna Sorokin? Do you believe people can reinvent themselves after such a checkered past, or do you think the show crossed a line? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear your take on this heated debate!
