Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek’s network of contributors
Can the ballroom handle a real-life drama queen? Anna Delvey, the infamous “Fake Heiress,” is set to cha-cha her way onto the ABC network, marking an extraordinary pivot from her days behind bars to prime-time television.
Back in 2019, the scammer sensation found herself in jail after conning her way to over $250,000 by posing as a German heiress. Fast forward to today, Delvey, 33, has finished her sentence under house arrest and has nabbed a spot on Dancing With The Stars.
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
On Friday, August 30, Page Six claimed special permissions have been granted, allowing the notorious ex-con artist to travel to Los Angeles where the show is filmed. She was also given a Social Security number and the greenlight to use social media again.
Delvey isn’t the first DWTS contestant with a checkered past. She joins the ranks of past participants like Tommy Chong, Lil Kim, and Steve O, who have also served time.
The announcement has stirred a mix of reactions among fans.
“my question about having that con artist is… how will they introduce her?? 😭 because they’ve had terrible people on the show before, but they were famous for something else.. Anna Delvey is literally just a con artist lmfao,” one user on X wrote.
“I say she should be deported, not making money off of her criminality. Unfortunately that seems to be par for the course for some ‘celebrities.'” another person said.
“i know i did not come on this app to see we are scraping the bottom of the barrel and casting ANNA DELVEY?!” chimed in a third.
Delvey’s return to the spotlight extends beyond the dance floor. According to a report from Page Six published Thursday, August 22, she’s actively shaping a new career path in fashion PR, teaming up with renowned expert Kelly Cutrone at the OutLaw Agency.