‘DWTS’ Showrunner Calls Season 33 Cast ‘Positive’ and ‘Uplifting’ Despite Questionable Celeb Addition

The Dancing with the Stars showrunner calls season 33’s celebrities “positive” and “uplifting” despite questionable casting that has left some viewers scratching their heads. Conrad Green’s addition of yet another polarizing celebrity to the cast left some puzzled.

‘DWTS’ Season 33 ‘positive’ and ‘uplifting’ despite questionable casting, says showrunner

The new Dancing with the Stars cast contains social media stars, reality TV celebrities, old favorites, and sports stars. The series also throws in one outlier each year, and season 33 is no exception.

This season’s celebrities are ex- Bachelor star Joey Graziadei and former Bachelorette Jenn Tran ; actors Eric Roberts, Reginald VelJohnson, and Chandler Kinney; athletes Danny Amendola and Dwight Howard; Olympians Stephen Nedoroscik and Ilona Maher; and model Brooks Nader. Also dancing are Real Housewives star Phaedra Parks, Beverly Hills, 90210 alum Tori Spelling , and con artist Anna Delvey.

Delvey is perhaps one of the most questionable casting choices showrunner Conrad Green has made in recent seasons. However, he believes her addition doesn’t change the cast’s appeal, stating the celebrity competitors are “positive” and “uplifting” overall.

He told Variety , “I think this is a very appealing cast. There’s so much good energy around them.”

“The level of competition is going to be pretty fierce by the end of this. There are a lot of people who either come in with a bit of dance experience or look like they’ve got a lot of potential. So it’s a very engaging, positive, uplifting cast.”

Anna Delvey’s addition to ‘DWTS’ cast raised eyebrows

DWTS showrunner Conrad Green believes that despite the polarizing casting of convicted con artist Anna Delvey, she will bring an element of interest to season 33. Delvey was the inspiration behind the popular Netflix series Inventing Anna .

Anna Delvey was born Anna Sorokin. She infiltrated New York’s high society by convincing people she was a German socialite and heiress to a massive fortune. Then, she reportedly schemed and scammed her victims out of millions.

Green believes that Delvey’s story is “fascinating” and there is an “inherent curiosity about her.” He added that her interest in the world of fashion will help her “present very well as a dancer.”

“She’s a very valid and interesting part of the cast. Yes, she had the issues she’s had, but we’ve had other people on the show who’ve had criminal issues in the past. She served her time. I think it’s perfectly valid for her to be on the show, and I think people have been curious to see how she performs.”

Delvey will be wearing an ankle monitor on the series. The monitor results from a years-long United States immigration battle and she is fighting deportation.

What can viewers look forward to this season?

‘DWTS’: Anna Delvey Casting a Misstep in Show’s History of Polarizing Celeb Choices

DWTS viewers will be provided with the same level of fun and escapism as in previous seasons. The series continues to provide family entertainment and an interactive environment where fans can vote for their favorite celebrities and watch exciting ballroom dancing routines.

Typically, the series focuses on several core elements. These include weeks of performances dedicated to titular moments in the lives of its celebrities.

There are also plenty of themed installments. A fan favorite is the show’s Halloween episode, which generates spooky fun.

In the past, the series has paid homage to Taylor Swift , Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, and Elvis Presley. There have also been nights dedicated to Latin and Motown music and tunes featured in Disney films. Thus far, the series has not announced the types of themes they plan to feature during season 33.

DWTS premieres live Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. All episodes air the next day on Hulu.