Additional Coverage:
- Maks Chmerkovskiy Slams Anna Delvey’s Casting on ‘Dancing With the Stars’: Professional ‘Liar’ (newsbreak.com)
Maks Chmerkovskiy Slams Anna Delvey’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Casting
Professional dancer Maks Chmerkovskiy has expressed his disapproval over the casting of convicted felon Anna Delvey on "Dancing with the Stars." He believes Delvey’s involvement undermines the integrity of the show and takes away opportunities from deserving contestants.
Chmerkovskiy criticized Delvey’s cha-cha dance, describing it as mediocre and lacking in charisma. He dismissed her nerves as an excuse, arguing that she has previously demonstrated confidence in her public persona. He also questioned her authenticity, stating that he doesn’t believe anything she says.
Chmerkovskiy’s partner, Ezra Sosa, defended Delvey’s participation, suggesting that embracing her story is necessary to win over the audience. However, Chmerkovskiy believes her presence on the show is a cynical attempt to draw attention and capitalize on her notoriety.
Delvey, who was convicted of grand larceny and misdemeanor theft, was released from prison on parole in 2021 and placed under house arrest for overstaying her visa. Her story was the subject of a "New York" magazine profile and the Netflix series "Inventing Anna."
Despite the controversy, Delvey and Sosa claim they are not affected by audience reactions during their performances. "Dancing with the Stars" airs Tuesdays on ABC and Disney+.