Anna Delvey's 'lackluster' 'Dancing With the Stars' debut gets icy reception from peeved viewers
The biggest couple in Tuesday night's "Dancing With the Stars" premiere was convicted con artist Anna Delvey and her bedazzled ankle monitor legally attached to her right leg.
Delvey (aka Anna Sorkin), thereal-life subject of the Shonda Rhimes Netflix series "Inventing Anna," was convicted in 2019 and spent prison time for swindling banks, hotels, and rich friends with a false reputation as a wealthy German heiress.
But Delvey debuted her new ballroom persona, a so-so cha-cha dance, and her sparkly monitoring bracelet in the Season 33 premiere Tuesday, after causing national outrage with the reality show casting.
Delvey was introduced as a New York "fashionista and entrepreneur" and placed as the night's final dancer to wring out every curious viewer during the hour-long "DWTS" debut.
The silence in the studio audience − which had screamed wildly for Olympic athlete contestants Stephen "Pommel Horse Guy" Nedoroscik and rugby sensation Ilona Maher, among others − was palpable as Delvey worked her through the dance with new pro dancer Ezra Sousa to Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso."
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Tori Spelling, Ilana MaherJoin Anna Delvey on 'Dancing With the Stars'
Anna Delvey perfume bottles exploded into flames in the digital background screens, but Delvey failed to register heat in both her dance and "DWTS" banter.
"In 2017, I was accused of multiple counts of grand larceny," Delvey said in her extraordinary voice-over package before her dance, which saw her struggling with the ankle bracelet during rehearsals. “I did serve my time, and 'Dancing With the Stars' is a way to show people a different side of me."
"My prior history shows I’m pretty determined," Delvey added, showing the best spinning of the night. "It’s a good quality to channel into something positive."
Delvey explained that she was wearing the ankle bracelet since, "I overstayed my visa because I was in jail."
"It was hard to leave," she added, giggling. "I’ve reinvented myself many times. This time I’m going to be a ballroom dancer."
How did the judges rate Anna Delvey on 'Dancing With the Stars'?
They were kind. Former pro dancer Derek Hough seemed shocked he was put on the spot to speak first and sputtered out some unfocused judge compliments, saying he was "kind of surprised."
Normally bombastically enthusiastic judge Bruno Tonilo came up with something quippy.
“Reinventing Anna yet again," he said. "And it could be working.”
Rather than give a critique, judge Carrie Ann Inaba took the studio audience (and really the TV audience) to task for the flat response.
"There was a shift in the energy. Let’s all give this a chance," said Inaba. "This is about your dancing here. Let’s all give her that space, please."
The judges gave Delvey straight 6s for a total of 18 points, which left the couple in the middle of the pack scoring-wise. “Anna Delvey’s Lackluster DWTS Debut” became a trending term on the social media site known as X following Tuesday's performance.
Who went home on 'Dancing With the Stars'?
No dancing couple was eliminated on Tuesday night. The scores and viewers' votes from the first two weeks will be added together and be incorporated into the first elimination on Sept. 25.
During the post-dance interview, Delvey did herself little favors with flat answers to questions from bubbly (and vastly improved from last year) co-host Julianne Hough. Why was Delvey dancing? Hough asked.
“Just why not?” Delvey replied. “I hope America will get a chance to see a different side of me.”
Hough asked what it felt like to finish the dance.
“I feel happy I don’t have to do this again," Delvey replied.
"Well, maybe you’ll have to do one again next week," Hough responded.