Fans of *Dancing with the Stars* are upset after one of the dancers performed a mediocre cha cha while wearing a sparkly bracelet on her right ankle. What seemed like a simple accessory actually had a deeper meaning.
Despite the backlash, the dancer stood her ground, telling the quiet audience, “I’ve reinvented myself many times” and “this time I’m going to be a ballroom dancer.”
Keep reading to find out who this controversial performer is on the popular TV show!
Ezra Sosa faced a big challenge in season 33 of *Dancing with the Stars*, his first season as a professional dancer.
His partner claimed to have dance experience, but Ezra had his doubts. When asked about her background, he said, “She did ballet and modern,” then laughed and added, “I don’t think she did…”
Like many others, Sosa doesn’t fully trust what his partner says.
His partner, known as a “fake heiress,” was convicted of grand larceny after pretending to be a wealthy German heiress. She scammed many socialites and even some banks and hotels while living in New York.
Sosa’s partner is Anna Sorokin, who is also known as Anna Delvey. She was born in Russia and became famous after her crimes inspired the Netflix show *Inventing Anna*.
Delvey gained attention for defrauding people, banks, and hotels. The Netflix series features her story, with actress Julia Garner playing her role.
She was convicted of grand larceny multiple times in 2019 and was released from prison in 2021 for good behavior. However, after breaking the rules of her Visa, she was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and placed under home confinement.
Now considered a flight risk, she wears an ankle monitor while she fights to stay in the U.S. and avoid being deported back to Germany, where she is a citizen.
On September 17, Anna caused a lot of controversy with her appearance on the first episode of the new season of *Dancing with the Stars*.
After Delvey was introduced as a “fashionista and entrepreneur,” she and Sosa took to the dance floor to perform a cha-cha to Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Espresso.”
They wore colorful outfits in shades of blue, purple, pink, and yellow. Delvey added a sparkly ankle monitor to her look.
During their performance, Delvey explained her unusual accessory, saying, “I overstayed my visa because I was in jail, so it’s kind of hard to leave.” She laughed and added, “I did serve my time… I’ve reinvented myself many times, and this time I’m going to be a ballroom dancer.”
The judges praised Anna Delvey’s efforts and expressed their surprise at her performance.
Derek Hough said, “I’m kind of lost for words. You actually have the ability to be a really beautiful dancer. Truly, you really do… I was surprised.”
Bruno Tonioli added a more playful touch, saying, “Reinventing Anna … yet again! And it could be working!”
Carrie Ann Inaba addressed the unusual silence in the studio, saying, “When you came out on the dance floor, there was a shift in the energy in this room. I imagine this is scary for you, and I’m not for or against anything you’ve done. But this is about your dancing here.”
However, fans were less kind. Many criticized her “robotic” moves and “miserable face,” while others were upset about the ankle monitor.
“Ankle monitors are not iconic. She should not be on this show,” wrote one user on DWTS’s Instagram page. Another added, “Felons should not be given any sort of spotlight.”
One commenter took issue with her title, saying, “Ooof. ‘Fashionista and entrepreneur?’ No… criminal.” On the DWTS Facebook page, another fan expressed, “Let’s glamorize an ankle bracelet. I’m disgusted.”
Son’s Heartwarming Gift to His Mom: Donates Hair After 20 Years of Her Brain Tumor Battle!
What started as a joke turned into one of the most amazing gifts a mother could ever receive from her son.
Matt Shaha, from Arizona, spent nearly three years growing out his hair to make a wig for his mother, Melanie, who lost her hair after receiving radiation treatment.
“It’s a no-brainer,” Matt said. “She gave me the hair in the first place.”
Melanie had been battling a benign brain tumor for years. She had two surgeries in 2003 and 2006 to remove the tumor. But in 2017, when the tumor came back, she had to start radiation treatment.
“I asked my doctor, ‘Will I lose my hair?’ and they said ‘No,’” Melanie said.
But three months later, she did lose her hair.
“It’s hard when you don’t have hair. People can say things that hurt your feelings,” Melanie told Today. “I don’t mind being sick, but I mind looking sick. I’d rather blend in at the store.”
Not long after Melanie started losing her hair, her 27-year-old son Matt jokingly said he would grow out his hair and make a wig for her.
Even though Melanie thought it was a sweet offer but didn’t want to burden him, Matt was serious about it. He spent the next two and a half years growing his hair long enough to make a wig.
When Matt’s hair was long enough, he and a few coworkers went to his mom’s house to cut it off. Melanie said, “We were super pumped, and when they started cutting, we bawled.”
Matt even paid $2,000 to have the wig made. They found a wigmaker who hand-stitched the hair to make it lighter and more comfortable. Once the wig was delivered, Melanie had it cut and styled.
“Seeing her in it was the first time I had seen my mom look like that since she lost her hair, so it’s been about four years,” Matt said.
Melanie loved her new look and felt deeply touched by her son’s gift. “It sure fills your emotional cup,” she said.
Look at the joy on Melanie’s face! Even Matt is beaming with happiness. I love this for both of them and their family.
Please share this heartwarming story.
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