Anna Delvey: Dancer or Felon?

Anna Delvey grew up in Germany in a middle-class family and, at 19, pursued a fashion degree in Paris. She eventually attended New York Fashion Week and developed a strong desire to be part of the elite inner circle of New York City. However, this ambition became so overwhelming that she defrauded numerous individuals, hotels, and banks. She used invalid credit cards and fake bank statements, committing a series of crimes to maintain the illusion of wealth in New York City. Moving from hotel to hotel without paying her bills, she was eventually arrested in 2017 for defrauding a high-end hotel. It was estimated that she stole around $275,000 in total. By April 2019, she was found guilty of eight charges, including first-, second-, and third-degree grand larceny. Anna Delvey, now a convicted felon, was sentenced to 4 to 12 years in state prison and fined $24,000, while also being required to pay off the remaining $199,000 she owed.

After Delvey’s release from prison, she gained significant attention and made her public debut via Instagram, which ultimately led to her being detained again for overstaying her visa. She posted a $10,000 bail for her release and continued flaunting her lavish lifestyle on social media. Delvey dabbled in the music and fashion industries while living in New York City’s East Village under house arrest until February 2024. Netflix produced a documentary about her life, paying her $320,000 for the rights to her story, and she used the money to pay off her debt, with some left over.

However, it was this documentary that truly catapulted her to fame. Anna Delvey’s entire life became a public spectacle, and rather than being perceived as a “thief,” she was now seen as a celebrity. This new status led her to join Dancing with the Stars in 2024. With permission from ICE to travel out of state and the requirement to attend all court appearances, she was legally allowed to participate in the show as a “star.” Although this was legally permissible, Dancing with the Stars made a significant ethical misstep by giving Delvey an even larger platform. Ezra Soza, Delvey’s dance partner, was unfairly paired with a felon during his first season as a professional dancer, which reflected poorly on his image while continuing to promote Delvey as a celebrity. Every performance and interview drew more attention to both Delvey and Dancing with the Stars as a company. As a contestant on the show, Delvey was required to promote it, making Dancing with the Stars central to her public image.

Anna Delvey and Ezra Soza made the controversial choice to decorate Delvey’s ankle monitor with rhinestones during the show, which glamorized her criminal past. The proud display of Delvey, a criminal currently under house arrest, was not well-received by the show’s audience. Loyal fans of Dancing with the Stars expressed their disappointment and disapproval of this decision. Choosing a felon over any number of actors, athletes, singers, or comedians suggested that Dancing with the Stars prioritized ratings and profit over the loyalty of its audience. Many longtime fans are now attempting to boycott the show until Delvey is eliminated. As a family-oriented network, Dancing with the Stars is setting a poor example for younger viewers who may now idolize Delvey, whether for her dancing or her criminal past.