Dancing With The Stars fans are calling for a boycott after being left furious at the casting of ‘fake heiress’ con artist Anna Delvey in the upcoming season.
The notorious criminal, 33 – who defrauded individuals out of $275,000 – was revealed in the line-up alongside The Bachelorette star Jenn Tran and actress Tori Spelling on Wednesday morning, much to the shock of the public.
Following days of rumors that the infamous scammer – real name Anna Sorokin – would be attempting to win the mirror ball trophy, fans immediately flocked to social media to vent their fury.
‘Let’s all boycott,’ demanded one Reddit user. ‘I’m not watching the show until she’s eliminated.
‘What a poor choice of casting. We can say no though and we need to start putting our foot down. They are nothing without viewers, so don’t watch until she’s gone.’
The comment was made in response to another post which read: ‘I get the show wants ratings but this is such a bonkers move… Like I feel the show slipping back into the negative aspects again. This casting choice is truly a disaster waiting to happen…’
Another fan agreed with the sentiments and wrote: ‘Will she proudly display her ankle monitor? Are the producers that desperate for a cast? How is she considered a star? SO disappointed in DWTS.’
Delvey spent years posing as a wealthy heiress while defrauding a series of banks, hotels, and individuals out of $275,000.
She was arrested in 2017 and found guilty of grand larceny, larceny in the second degree, and theft of services.
The fraudster was sentenced to four to 12 years behind bars, and was released from prison in 2022 to house arrest. She was also banned from using social media.
Her immigration lawyer John Sandweg confirmed to DailyMail.com that Delvey’s house arrest was lifted in recent weeks, thus allowing her to take part in DWTS.
‘Earlier last month, the court modified Ms. Sorokin’s release conditions, lifting the requirement that she be on house arrest.’
As for how Delvey will tackle appearing on the show alongside her ongoing court case, Sandweg added: ‘She won’t be able to miss any court appearances without permission from the court. She is also required to check in with ICE on a regularized basis.’
Natalie Maniscalco, Publicist and CEO and Founder of bluePRint Communications claimed the casting was ‘undoubtedly a misguided PR attempt to boost ratings’ which ‘raises serious ethical concerns for the network.’
She told DailyMail.com: ‘As a family-oriented network, this decision tarnishes the show’s reputation and signals that ABC prioritizes viewership over family values.
‘It sends a troubling message that in our country, there are few consequences for one’s actions – just a path to a book deal, movie adaptation, and now a spot on DWTS, all accompanied by a substantial paycheck.
‘This choice by ABC reflects poorly on the network and its commitment to responsible programming.’
Reaction to the infamous con artist quickly spread on X after the cast announcement as one user wrote: ‘Somebody really put Anna Delvey on DWTS as if she’s not a whole criminal, I jus—’
Another added: ‘Out of all the actors, singers, athletes or influencers in the world @officialdwts picks Anna Delvey for this season?! That’s embarrassing.’
‘I had to comment on the #DWTS cast real quick. Anna Delvey, really?,’ another viewer commented. ‘Casting decisions like this is why Tom Bergeron quit.’
Another added: ‘WHY the hell do we reward felons with more publicity? Anna Delvey better get voted off asap… if she was a good person, maybe… but no. Stop. Rooting for Jen or Phaedra!!!’
‘I’m gonna need Anna Delvey to get voted off the show in WEEK ONE PLEASE AND THANKS,’ stated another.
Other fans shared their anger about the fact Delvey has been paired with newly promoted professional dancer, Ezra Sosa.
One fan had mused: ‘Hope they don’t give her Ezra. That wouldn’t be fair for his fist season. If she eliminated early it won’t be cool for him.’
Another added: ‘I’m happy for Ezra to be promoted on #DWTS, but will not be happy if his partner is Anna Delvey like the rumors are saying.. That’s just cold; giving the newbie a criminal for his first ever partner.’
DailyMail.com has contacted ABC for comment.
Delvey’s story famously inspired the wildly popular Netflix series Inventing Anna, which starred Anna Chlumsky, Julia Garner, and Arian Moayed.
She also recently announced that she’d be starring in new reality show, Traits, in which contestants need to deploy ‘deception, lying and not letting people see the real you.’
During Wednesday’s Good Morning America, Delvey flippantly stated that she just wanted the viewers at home to know ‘how good I am at the Cha-Cha.’
Sports Illustrated model Brooks Nader, 28, Family Matters actor Reginald Veljohnson, 72, Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Phaedra Parks, 50, former footballer Danny Amendola, 38, NBA’s Dwight Howard, 38, and Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin actress Chandler Kinney, 24, are among those who will compete when the season kicks off.
They will also be joined by Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher, 28, The Bachelor star Joey Graziadei, 29, and movie star Eric Roberts, 68, when the shows returns to screens on September 17.