‘Dancing With the Stars’ Boss Defends Anna Delvey Casting, Ponders Adding On Set Therapists and Previews ‘Fierce’ Season 33

“As a seasoned movie buff who’s seen more than a handful of reality competition shows, I can confidently say that ‘Dancing With the Stars’ is one series that never ceases to surprise me. This year’s cast is particularly intriguing, with athletes and actors vying for the mirrorball trophy, but it’s the inclusion of Anna Delvey, the convicted felon, that’s stirring up quite a storm.


Dancing With the Stars” wouldn’t be as popular without the inclusion of some contentious personalities, and this is evident in its upcoming 33rd season. The reality competition show will include several athletes such as Danny Amendola, Ilona Maher, Dwight Howard, and Stephen Nedoroscik. Additionally, actors like Reginald VelJohnson, Tori Spelling, and Eric Roberts have also been cast for this season.

Nevertheless, the selection of Anna Delvey, the incarcerated offender currently under house arrest, caused quite a stir. “I can’t help but think about all the families who’ve had loved ones detained by ICE and have fought in court to get their father, brother, or mother released,” Whoopi Goldberg stated on a recent episode of “The View.” “This woman was granted permission to do this, and it makes me wonder if there’s a two-tiered system here with ICE?

The choice of contentious actors hasn’t been unprecedented in the series, yet they’ve consistently defended their decisions. In this piece, we sit down with showrunner Conrad Green to discuss the upcoming season, his perspectives on Delvey, and speculations about the future direction of “Dancing With the Stars.

How are you feeling about this cast and the overall feel of Season 33?

In my opinion, this season’s cast is incredibly captivating, filled with an infectious enthusiasm. Last year, we were privileged to have Barry Williams grace our show, who was a devoted admirer and long-time enthusiast of ours. His genuine excitement and love for the production resonated deeply with me. Consequently, we’ve focused on individuals who embody this same ardor for performing. I believe that this sentiment is palpable to our viewers, and many in our cast possess this infectious passion.

We’re making an effort to stay updated with evolving trends in the entertainment/celebrity sphere. With the rise of influencers and individuals gaining fame through platforms like YouTube and social media, modern-day celebrities are quite distinct from those of two decades ago. In fact, our first season was produced before the launch of the iPhone! Therefore, we aim to strike a balance between the old and the new.

As a passionate cinephile, I understand the controversy surrounding the casting of Anna Delvey in recent productions this year. Given her status as a convicted felon, it’s natural for some to question whether she should be given such opportunities, especially when she needed approval from ICE to participate. However, I believe that exploring complex characters and their journeys can provide valuable insights, even when the individuals themselves may not always embody positive role models. It’s essential to separate art from reality in these instances, allowing us to appreciate the performance without endorsing the actions of the person portrayed.

We’ve consistently aimed to feature a diverse range of individuals, stories, and backgrounds in our show. Anna is someone who piques the interest of many due to the intrigue surrounding her life and the dramas she’s faced. Given her passion for fashion and related areas, we believe she will make an engaging dancer. People are eager to witness her performance. She adds a unique flavor to our cast, and while she has faced challenges in her past, we’ve had other individuals with similar backgrounds on the show who have served their time. Therefore, we consider Anna a valid and intriguing addition to our cast, and viewers have expressed curiosity about her abilities on the show.

‘Dancing With the Stars’ Boss Defends Anna Delvey Casting, Ponders Adding On Set Therapists and Previews ‘Fierce’ Season 33

As a passionate viewer, I can’t help but wonder if we’re moving towards the day when two gentlemen will grace the dance floor as a same-sex pair, much like JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson did in Season 30. Exciting times ahead!

It’s definitely an option we’ve considered before. If the right opportunity presents itself, it might be something we pursue. We had Gleb Savchenko and Shangela together, so interpret that as you see fit. We are a diverse community and naturally embrace individuals of all genders and sexualities, aiming to portray America in its various forms.

In previous years, as many as 16 sets of items were involved. However, this time around, there are only 13 sets. Could you explain how you determine the quantity?

Typically, we have a specific number in mind for our show. However, at the last possible moment, Jenn Tran appeared, whose intriguing tale caught our attention after the hardship she had experienced. She left the studio [after “The Bachelorette” aftershow] and immediately drove to Burbank, and the following day was our title shoot. It was astonishing! We didn’t initially plan for 13 participants, but if an exceptional candidate emerges, we can find a way. As a dynamic, live program, we are adaptable and ready to adjust. There seems to be a great deal of enthusiasm among viewers for Jenn’s recovery and success. It has been heartening to help her move past the distressing events she experienced. We’re thrilled to provide her with a positive opportunity to focus on. But yes, our numbers can fluctuate. We follow the talent wherever it leads us!

Regarding the topic of Bachelorettes, Charity Lawson has openly discussed the racial prejudice she faced from online fans during her previous season, expressing surprise that there wasn’t a mental health professional readily available. Have your team ever contemplated incorporating such a resource?

We haven’t deliberately decided to incorporate this element so far. It’s rare for such a scenario to unfold in our usual course of events. We closely observe and maintain open communication with the participants throughout the show. Handling harsh social media feedback can be challenging, especially when individuals are thrust into public roles like this. The network deals with these matters, but as for having a dedicated full-time mental health professional, we haven’t found it essential, at least not in our past experiences. However, we continue to assess the situation and if circumstances change, we would certainly reconsider this option.

In an attempt to attract a younger demographic, you launched content on Disney+ but later shifted back to ABC. To whom are you primarily aiming your content?

Our primary thing is to service our core audience. We’ve been one of the biggest and most popular unscripted shows in America for almost 20 years, and I always think the most important thing is to service the viewers who actually love the show. Traditionally, we have quite an older audience, relative to some other TV shows, but along with that, you get a lot of families watching together. So there are people who started watching as kids, who are now watching as adults with their kids. I think the best way to bring in a younger audience is through that experience in some ways, so that people watch it with family members who also love the show.

“Dancing With the Stars” premieres on ABC and Disney+ on September 17 at 8 p.m. ET.

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2024-09-12 21:47