Julianne Hough Reacts To Anna Delvey's Controversial 'DWTS' Comment

Anna Delvey made a controversial comment after being eliminated from "Dancing With the Stars," and host Julianne Hough is speaking out.

Dubbed the "Fake Heiress," Delvey was sentenced to 12 years in prison after her 2019 conviction on one count of attempted grand larceny, three counts of grand larceny, and four counts of theft. Following her release on parole in 2021, Delvey is now completing the remainder of her sentence under house arrest.

While on "Dancing With the Stars," Anna Delvey incorporated her ankle bracelet into her outfit, deciding to bedazzle it on night one.

The 33-year-old convicted con artist was eliminated from the September 24 episode of "Dancing with the Stars."

When host Julianne Hough inquired about what she was taking away from her time on the show, she honestly replied, “Nothing.”

Hough laughed it off and smoothly wrapped up the show.

Delvey later reflected on her short time on the show during an interview with "Good Morning America." When asked if she believed she had gotten the second chance she was seeking, Delvey quickly replied, "That's been wasted? Yeah, of course."

Julianne Hough spoke to People Magazine about Delvey's "nothing" comment, telling the outlet that she’s attempting to remain “very neutral."

“I’m always a big believer in grace and second chances and showing up,” she said. “Also, it’s hard to go out first in the competition.”

“I also heard somewhere that she was actually being silly and being very literal about that, with her history,” the professional dancer said. “So there was that.”

In her 20s, Anna Delvey moved to New York City and quickly ingratiated herself with the city’s elite by posing as a wealthy German heiress. She mingled with prominent socialites, investors, and key figures in the art world, all while maintaining the facade of immense wealth.

She used her fake heiress status to book luxury hotel stays, promising payment that never came. When hotel management realized her bills weren’t being paid, she would be kicked out, only to move on to another high-end spot, repeating the same pattern.

Soon after it was revealed that Anna Delvey would be competing in this season of the ABC competition show, fans quickly criticized the casting team.

"Who’s ever idea it was to have her on the show… bad idea," one user said after seeing her "DWTS" debut.

"So are we saying committing crimes and wearing an ankle monitor is a new fashion? Wtf are we promoting?" another individual expressed.

In October 2017, Anna Delvey's elaborate fraudulent schemes came to an end when she was arrested in New York and charged with several crimes, including grand larceny in the first and second degrees and theft of services.

Delvey was sentenced to four to twelve years in prison for her crimes. However, inmate records from the Albion Correctional Facility in New York show that she was released on parole in February 2021 after serving roughly four years.

Fans of the show aren’t the only ones expressing disappointment over the casting decision. Former pro Maks Chmerkovskiy recently appeared on TMZ’s podcast to share his thoughts on the matter.

“I can see both sides. I can also be on the production side, and I can be on the viewer side and understand it all,” he said. “But if you want an ankle [bracelet] and sort of this, ‘Damn, this is going to draw attention,’ and the scandalousness of it all – I mean, there are so many other people you can choose from.”

“Hold on a second — didn’t she con people into believing she was, like, fully fashion this and special like that? And that takes a lot of guts,” he continued. “It takes a lot of self-control to present yourself a certain way, even if you’re so nervous. I don’t buy this ‘she was nervous’ stuff. She’s a sh-tty dancer, and [her] personality is not really going to help her in this competition.”

His brother, Val, also spoke out, telling reporters, "He has his opinion." "Whether I share his opinion or not, that’s not my quote, and that’s not my position to talk about it," Val added.

"Dancing With the Stars" is broadcast on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET