The most controversial contestant this season of “Dancing with the Stars” is easily Anna DelveyDescribed by the show as a fashionista and entrepreneur, whose main claim to fame is her criminal past, which was depicted in the Netflix miniseries “Inventing Anna.” Is she on the road to redemption? Or will “DWTS” fans quickly show her the door? Watch her debut cha cha with a first-time professional dancer Ezra Sosa from the season premiere above.

As described in her official bio, “Some see her as a wily con artist, while others see her as a charismatic and ambitious entrepreneur who took advantage of New York City’s social elite in an attempt to open a prestigious art studio.” Either way, her participation in the show after her conviction for grand larceny — she competes wearing an ankle bracelet — was an unusual choice. “‘Dancing with the Stars’ is a way for me to show people a different side of myself,” she explained in her season premiere clip package. “My past history shows that I’m pretty determined … I hope that anyone who thinks negatively about me, I’ll be able to change their opinion of me.”

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Her first dance of the competition was actually not bad. It left the judges Derek Hough “I can’t find the words. You really have the ability to be a very beautiful dancer.” Bruno Tonioli added: “If you hit the right lines, it looks really good.” But Carrie Ann InabaNoticing some ambivalence in the audience, he said, “When you guys hit the dance floor, there was a change in the energy in this room, and I just want to say, let’s all give this a shot, because I imagine this is scary for you guys.”

In the end, Delvey was given a straight six by the judges for a total of 18 out of 30, placing her in the middle of the pack. Asked by co-host Julianne Hough how she felt, she replied, “I’m glad I don’t have to do this dance again.” That was typical of her first appearance on the show — reserved, reserved, giving little of herself except a desire to be seen differently by viewers at home. Maybe it was just shy. Or maybe she’s also ambivalent about being on the show. The question is whether fans will decide to keep her or vote her out. There was no elimination at the end of the season premiere, but there will be a double elimination in week two. She’ll have to wait and see how “DWTS” fans view her.

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