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Dancing With The Stars EP Explains Why Controversial Contestants Like Anna Delvey Are Cast So Often, And It’s Hard To Argue The Logic

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As Dancing With the Stars unveils its Season 34 contestants for the upcoming fall TV lineup in 2025, viewers are left wondering who else might vie for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. Throughout its history, this dancing competition series has seen a diverse range of celebrities grace the ballroom, even those embroiled in controversy such as Sean Spicer and Anna Delvey from Season 33, who were both invited to participate. One executive producer sheds light on why the show chooses these high-profile figures, a decision that makes good sense for reality TV.

Each time DWTS introduces a contentious celebrity, a segment of the fanbase swiftly voices disapproval, arguing that it detracts from the enjoyment of the show for ABC to provide a stage to divisive individuals. However, this is exactly why ABC does it; they count on critics to watch so they can stoke their own controversies. The “controversial casting” is seen as a crucial strategy, and executive producer Ryan O’Dowd explained to Deadline why stirring up audiences is logical.

As a film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In the world of casting, apathy is our most formidable foe. From the very first season, Deena Katz has been instrumental in our casting process, and her work has been simply outstanding. We often find ourselves discussing strategies to attract talent that’s at the forefront of current cultural discussions. With Anna Delvey, she was undeniably controversial, but her story sparked heated debates – something we always aim for when choosing our cast members.

Just as every season of “Dancing With the Stars” has its share of diverse opinions about the contestants, it’s impossible to please everyone. However, the show consistently offers a wide range of participants each season, which might include a few contentious figures. This diversity demonstrates that “DWTS” isn’t partial to any particular individual and is open to giving opportunities to all, regardless of their past accomplishments.

In a fascinating tidbit, the President of BBC Studios’ Unscripted TV, O’Dowd, recounted an amusing story by Howard Stern to illustrate a point.

A while back, I used to tune into Howard Stern’s show often. One of his promotional messages went something like this: On average, a typical fan of Howard Stern listens for about 42 minutes daily. However, those who dislike him listen for an hour and 37 minutes. The reason? They’re curious to find out what he’ll say next.

In essence, including a contentious participant on DWTS could attract a larger audience due to their past actions and persona. While this might not always be advisable given some of their questionable behavior, it certainly piques viewer curiosity more than a typical contestant who was popular for a ‘90s show, for example.

It’s possible they won’t last long, much like Anna Delvey, whose bedazzled ankle bracelet was only worn for two weeks. However, O’Dowd raises a valid argument:

*They might not go far; similar to Anna Delvey, her bedazzled ankle bracelet didn’t even last beyond the second week, but O’Dowd presents a solid observation:*

In essence, this seems to imply that it doesn’t really matter what draws people in; the important thing is to attract them. This was the thought process behind the concept, if I may liken it to the Anna Delvey phenomenon.

It’s quite probable that Season 34 of “Dancing With the Stars” will feature a contestant causing some stir, though their identity remains unclear. We’ll have to wait and see if they can create as much buzz as Delvey did last season. It will be exciting to learn who else will be part of this year’s cast, but for now, it’s all speculation.

With the show entering its 34th season, it appears that the controversies are thriving, if not causing concern, as neither the fans nor ABC seem to be bothered by them. In the meantime, before the full cast is revealed, viewers can catch up on the latest season with a Hulu or Disney+ subscription.

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2025-07-01 21:07

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