Anna Delvey’s Ankle Monitor Shines on Dancing With the Stars
Style | Anna Delvey Requires More than a Decorated Ankle Monitor to Succeed
Anna Delvey Needs More Than Sparkles To Win
The previous fake heiress made her debut on "Dancing With the Stars," and her tracking device actually took center stage. If she wants to stick around for another week, she might have to start displaying some real feelings.
September 19, 2024, Updated at 5:23 PM Eastern Time.
The ankle monitor finally got its time to take center stage.
At the start of Anna Delvey's first appearance on "Dancing With the Stars" this past Tuesday, the cameras zoomed in on the ankle monitor she was wearing. Usually a simple black device, this one had clearly gotten a makeover from the show's costume team and was adorned with a dazzling array of colorful crystals that complemented Ms. Delvey's fringed outfit beautifully.
Ms. Delvey, also known as Anna Sorokin, is the infamous con artist who falsely claimed to be a wealthy heiress. She spent nearly four years behind bars after being found guilty of swindling over $200,000 from various companies. After her release, she was detained by U.S. immigration officials for overstaying her visa and was placed under house arrest, which is why she's wearing an ankle monitor.
She is the newest addition to a long history of contestants on the dance show who appear to have been chosen for the potential drama and controversy they might create.
The attention on Ms. Delvey's ankle monitor really highlighted her underwhelming performance on social media, especially when compared to the more impressive routines from contestants like actress Chandler Kinney and ex-NBA player Dwight Howard, regardless of the fact that her dancing ended up ranking in the bottom third.
However, if Ms. Delvey was thrilled about getting the chance to go to Los Angeles for the show, you couldn't tell by the way she was dancing the cha-cha.
Her noticeable disinterest might be her biggest challenge as she works to steer clear of the premature departure that has affected other controversial figures in the past, such as Tucker Carlson, Paula Deen, and Tonya Harding. Just ask Ezra Sosa.
In an interview with Joe Vulpis from the "Lightweights Podcast," Mr. Sosa, a dancer who works on the show, talked about the special challenge he faces partnering with Ms. Delvey for the first time as her full-time dance partner.
“It’s really challenging for me to make you smile,” Mr. Sosa mentioned, recalling a talk he had with Ms. Delvey during a practice session. “You have to keep smiling for four hours during rehearsal so that you can maintain that smile for just one minute of our performance.”
Asking a woman to smile often carries a lot of implications, but this advice is frequently heard in the context of performance.
"Dancing brings so much happiness and is wonderfully playful," expressed Alec Cohen, a choreographer and dance instructor who has collaborated with singer Chrissy Chlapecka and drag performer Luxx Noir London. "When you can tap into the fun and laughter within it, a true moment of expression might effortlessly emerge. It's all about consistent practice and repetition."
Mr. Cohen mentioned that the secret to delivering a strong performance lies in not overthinking things.
“When I was a professional dancer going through auditions, if I found myself getting overwhelmed by negative thoughts,” he explained, “I would cover my mouth and repeat, ‘I’ve got this, I know what I’m doing.’ Speaking positive affirmations out loud really made a difference for me.”
Another method that Mr. Cohen suggests is adopting a different persona, something that Ms. Delvey has done quite successfully in the past.
"I often encourage amateur dancers to picture someone and a scenario that feels completely distant from their own life," he explained. "For instance, I like to think of myself as Mary-Louise Parker in 'Weeds.' I can be a bit hyper, and she embodies that bold, sensual, and centered persona. It really helps me shift my mindset."
“We all experience impostor syndrome at some level,” he mentioned. “So I think it might be beneficial for Anna Delvey to envision herself as Rihanna.”
