Anna Delvey is set to be a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars,” much to the excitement of her partner but the outrage of many viewers.

The infamous con artist-turned-influencer is generating significant backlash following ABC’s announcement that she will participate in Season 33 of the dance competition, revealed on “Good Morning America.” In the promotional image for the show, Delvey was seen wearing her ankle monitor, and she stated to People magazine that she received approval from ICE to take part in the show.

Delvey, whose partner is first-season professional dancer Ezra Sosa, initially grabbed attention in 2018 when a close friend, writer Rachel Williams, published a widely-read Vanity Fair article detailing Delvey’s elaborate scams. Although rumors about her casting on “DWTS” circulated before the official announcement, ABC typically refrains from commenting on casting discussions until they are confirmed on “GMA.”

Viewers of the show, along with “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg, are displeased with the decision to feature Delvey.

ABC Describes Anna Delvey as ‘Scam Artist’ in DWTS Announcement

The so-called “fake heiress” has stirred controversy long before her appearance on the dance floor.

Delvey, whose real name is Anna Sorokin, was convicted in 2019 for swindling nearly $275,000 from various banks, hotels, and affluent New Yorkers to maintain her extravagant lifestyle and business pursuits. She was sentenced to serve between four to twelve years in prison, completing just over three years of that time. In the fall of 2022, she was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying her visa and is currently under home confinement while her legal situation is unresolved.

Her story inspired the popular Netflix series “Inventing Anna,” featuring actress Julia Garner, which depicted how the young Russian woman, posing as a German heiress named Anna Delvey, deceived New York’s elite out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In their official casting announcement for “DWTS,” the show characterized Delvey as “an artist, fashion icon, and infamous NYC socialite who garnered international fame after Netflix acquired the rights to her story, crafting it into the 2022 miniseries ‘Inventing Anna.'”

The announcement went on, stating: “While some consider her a clever scam artist, others view her as a bold and aspiring entrepreneur who exploited New York City’s social elite in her quest to launch a high-end art studio. Her story has also prompted debates about wealth, privilege, and social climbing in modern society.”

Interestingly, ABC’s release did not mention Delvey’s incarceration.

Viewer Reactions Divided Over Casting Anna Delvey on ‘Dancing with the Stars’

One user on X commented, “Anna Delvey competing in ‘DWTS’ Season 33—with her ankle monitor visible. If she were Black, she’d never have this opportunity.”

In contrast, another user defended the casting choice, stating, “People are upset about Anna Delvey being on ‘DWTS’ because it ‘glorifies a criminal,’ but that’s exactly the type of person who should be on this show. Whoever suggested it deserves an Emmy.”

Comments on Instagram following the “DWTS” cast reveal ranged from playful to critical: “I wonder if Anna can decorate her ankle bracelet,” and Sosa noted his intention to “add rhinestones to the ankle monitor STAT.”

Another commenter expressed confusion, stating, “I don’t get it. This is ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ not ‘Dancing with the Felons.'” There was also a remark suggesting that “next, Gypsy Rose (Blanchard) will be competing for the mirror ball trophy.”

One commenter pointed out, “People in the comments are overreacting to an ankle monitor. It’s showbiz, people, lighten up.”

Whoopi Goldberg Critiques ICE and Points to a ‘Two-Tiered System’

It wasn’t just online commenters who were critical; Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg expressed her disappointment on “The View,” which airs on ABC, the same network as “DWTS.”

Goldberg acknowledged the network connection, stating, “We need to support the network,” but voiced her frustration for families affected by ICE. “I think of all the families whose relatives have had encounters with ICE, who have fought to get their loved ones back, while this woman has received permission to participate in a dance show.”

She questioned, “Is there a two-tiered system here with ICE?”

During a panel discussion on the daytime talk show, co-host Sara Haines humorously pointed out the situation of a former president.

“We have a convicted felon running for president; why are we even surprised?” Haines remarked, referencing former President Donald Trump, who was convicted on 34 felony counts regarding the falsification of business records during a hush money case in New York this past May.

The show “Dancing with the Stars” is set to return on September 17 at 7 p.m. Central Time.

Contributing: Kinsey Crowley