Anna Delvey (or Anna Sorokin) is the real-life subject of Shonda Rhimes’ Netflix hit series “Inventing Anna” and became famous for swindling banks, hotels, and rich friends with a false reputation as a wealthy German heiress, for which she served three years in prison.
Introduced to viewers as a “fashionista and entrepreneur”, the 33-year-old stepped out in a bedazzled ankle monitor and a glitzy ombre ensemble, alongside pro dance partner, Ezra Sosa.
It seems they were keeping the best to last, as viewers waited with bated breath through the hour-long Season 33 DWTS premiere, before the pair hit the dance floor to Cha-Cha to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.”
"In 2017, I was accused of multiple counts of grand larceny," Delvey said in her extraordinary voice-over package before her dance.
“I reinvented myself many times, and this time I’m going to be a ballroom dancer.”
The silence in the studio audience was palpable, as Anna Delvey gave a lackluster performance with a face that indicated that perhaps she herself was in need of an Espresso.
Speaking of the performance, former pro dancer, Derek Hough, said he was “kind of surprised.”
While enthusiastic judge Bruno Tonilo quipped, “Reinventing Anna yet again."
As for Carrie Ann Inaba, she chose to focus on the viewer's response to the dance: "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."
Delvey scored straight 6s from the judges, giving her a total of 18 points, however, viewers at home were far less diplomatic in their critiques of the performance.
“The way Anna Delvey’s first #DWTS performance sucked all the energy and happiness out of the ballroom was something I don’t think I’ve witnessed in 33 seasons. Honestly, that was kind of shocking,” one X user wrote.
“Do anna delvey and her partner already hate each other?? zero chemistry on the floor and in the scoring #dwts,” another pondered.
During the post-dance interview, Delvey did herself little favors when asked by co-host Julianne Hough how it felt to finish the dance.
“I feel happy I don’t have to do this again," Delvey replied.
