"Fake Heiress" Anna Delvey Shocks DWTS Fans With Her Savage One-Word Response To Elimination

When Anna Delvey and her professional dancer partner Ezra Sosa were eliminated from Dancing with the Stars in the second episode of this season, the show's co-host Julianne Hough asked what she would take away from the competition. However, it was the infamous con artist's savage response that stunned viewers.

"What are you going to take away from this competition?" Hough asked Delvey during the post-elimination interview. "Nothing," she replied, shrugging her shoulders.

Sosa appeared to be uncomfortable before Hough laughed off the brutal comment, saying, "There you have it!" DWTS co-host Alfonso Ribeiro added, "She's not taking anything away? You had fun. Stop it."

Delvey, dubbed the "fake heiress," is most commonly known for pretending to be a German heiress and using her status to con banks, hotels, and various wealthy individuals, stealing more than $200,000. She served four years in prison before being detained by U.S. immigration for overstaying her visa.

Delvey, whose birth name is Anna Sorokin, is currently still under house arrest, and DWTS viewers caught a glimpse of her bedazzled ankle monitor during her performances. The con artist says she hopes to "reinvent herself" and is well aware of the negative opinions people have of her.

For their last performance, Delvey and Sosa danced the quickstep to KT Tunstall's song "Suddenly I See." Sosa explained that the theme song from The Devil Wears Prada was an attempt to get Delvey to "crack out a smile," but it wasn't enough to save her from elimination.

Anna Delvey and Ezra Sosa were eliminated from Dancing with the Stars in the second episode of this season.

Eric McCandless / Getty Images

However, it was the infamous con artist's savage response that stunned viewers.

Delvey, dubbed the "fake heiress," is most commonly known for pretending to be a German heiress and using her status to con banks, hotels, and various wealthy individuals, stealing more than $200,000.

Richard Drew /AP /REX / Shutterstock

She served four years in prison before being detained by U.S. immigration for overstaying her visa.

Richard Drew / AP

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, emphasizes that Anna Delvey's response reflects a complex interplay of personality traits often seen in individuals with antisocial tendencies. Her behavior can be viewed through the lens of narcissism, where the individual prioritizes self-preservation over social norms.

Such traits can lead to a lack of empathy and a dismissive attitude towards consequences. Durvasula advises that understanding these behaviors can help audiences process their reactions to similar personalities in public life, emphasizing the need for critical thinking when engaging with media portrayals.

Navigating Public Persona

Public figures often respond to criticism in ways that can shock audiences, as seen with Delvey’s savage remark. Brené Brown, a leading researcher on vulnerability, highlights that embracing vulnerability can transform how one interacts with the public.

She encourages individuals to reframe their narratives, allowing them to connect more authentically with their audiences. By practicing self-compassion and empathy, public figures can foster better relationships with their followers, ultimately leading to more positive interactions and reduced backlash in challenging situations.

Delvey, whose birth name is Anna Sorokin, is currently still under house arrest, and DWTS viewers caught a glimpse of her bedazzled ankle monitor during her performances.

Eric McCandless / Disney

For their last performance, Delvey and Sosa danced the quickstep to KT Tunstall's song "Suddenly I See."

Dancing With The Stars

Sosa explained that the theme song from The Devil Wears Prada was an attempt to get Delvey to "crack out a smile," but it wasn't enough to save her from elimination.

Dancing With The Stars

The Power of Emotional Responses

Understanding Anna Delvey’s reaction can help us explore the emotional responses people have to public criticism. Dr. Rick Hanson, neuropsychologist and author, notes that our reactions are often tied to our past experiences and emotional conditioning.

He explains that fostering emotional resilience can be achieved through mindfulness practices, which allow individuals to process their feelings constructively. By developing a deeper awareness of emotional triggers, audiences can learn to respond more thoughtfully rather than react impulsively to provocative statements.

You can watch the performance in full here.

While some DWTS fans saw the humor in Delvey's brutal response, others felt it was disrespectful and downright rude. One person commented, "I feel badly for her partner. He deserved so much better."

Delvey, on the other hand, has since expressed that she feels she wasn't given a fair opportunity to succeed on the show. "It felt like I was never really given a fair chance by the viewers or some of the judges, given their nonsensical scoring," she said.

"It's supposed to be a dance competition and not a popularity contest," said Delvey. "I feel that the show so obviously used me to drive up the ratings, and they never had any plans to give me a chance to grow; they only cared about exploiting me for attention."

Delvey even went as far as to claim that the show's producers and judges were "predatory" in their behavior. However, the show's hosts and judges have a different take on things.

"I feel badly for her partner. He deserved so much better," one person commented.

Dancing With The Stars

But Delvey saw things differently, saying, "I feel that the show so obviously used me to drive up the ratings, and they never had any plans to give me a chance to grow; they only cared about exploiting me for attention."

Instagram: @theannadelvey

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said she was disappointed by Delvey's reaction, commenting that she was "taken aback" by it. That was dismissive not only of the opportunity she was given, of her wonderful and supportive partner Ezra in his debut season, but also of all of us who work on the show—from the dancers to those behind the scenes to the creative team," she said.

"We all put in the effort to give her a fair opportunity," Inaba said. "But I don't think she could see that, and it's a shame. A little gratitude could have changed the narrative."

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said she was disappointed by Delvey's reaction, commenting that she was "taken aback" by it.

Eric McCandless / Disney

According to Dr. Barry Schwartz, a choice researcher, individuals like Anna Delvey often exemplify the paradox of choice. Schwartz argues that when faced with too many options and consequences, one can become paralyzed or make choices that reflect their deeper psychological issues.

This situation could have been avoided if Delvey had a support system that encouraged reflecting on her choices. Schwartz suggests that cultivating a mindset of gratitude and making intentional decisions can lead to greater satisfaction and emotional health, even in high-pressure scenarios.

But Delvey's dance partner Ezra Sosa wasn't surprised by her "very Anna Delvey" exit from the show.

Eric McCandless / Disney

"We would expect nothing less of her," he said.

Jose Alvarado, Jr. / ABC

In a post-exit interview, Delvey's dance partner Ezra Sosa said, "I knew she was going to say something very iconic and something very Anna Delvey with her exit."

"Of course, she has to. It's very typical," he said. "We would expect nothing less of her."

Solutions & Coping Strategies

Analyzing Anna Delvey's reaction provides us with valuable insights into human behavior, particularly in high-stress public situations. Experts like Dr. Ramani Durvasula and Dr. Rick Hanson remind us that underlying psychological factors often shape our responses. By cultivating emotional resilience and understanding the impact of past experiences, both public figures and audiences can navigate complex interactions more effectively.

Encouraging open dialogue and mindfulness practices could foster healthier relationships, ultimately transforming how we engage with media narratives and the individuals behind them.