AceShowbiz - "Dancing With the Stars" has always been known for its dramatic casting choices, but signing Anna Delvey, the convicted high-society fraudster who inspired the popular Netflix series "Inventing Anna", has taken controversy to a new level. Delvey, 33, is participating in the show while under house arrest and wearing an ankle bracelet due to an ongoing deportation dispute.

An insider close to the production told In Touch, "Anna has an interesting criminal backstory that became a huge hit series on Netflix and created this cloud of mystery and intrigue around her." The source continued, "She's a wild character, and the DWTS team loves when these little forest fires spring up around casting decisions."

The reality competition show is known for embracing bold and unconventional casting choices, but Delvey's inclusion is stirring significant unease. The production team has reportedly taken exceptional measures to ensure her participation is safe and secure - including providing additional security and special scheduling considerations.

The insider explained, "Anna has been given extra security and special scheduling considerations because she is somebody who people send threatening messages to online all the time. DWTS is all about stunt casting, and they love when there's an uproar over one of their choices, but they are approaching this situation with care."

Unsurprisingly, not everyone on the show is pleased. "The rest of the cast need to understand that even though Anna is being given special treatment and an outsize share of the spotlight, it's good for the show overall because it brings more eyeballs to the episodes," the insider defends her casting. "As edgy as Anna's history is, it gets people invested in the storyline of this season."

Whoopi Goldberg voiced her discontent during an episode of "The View", questioning, "I think back to all the families who've had family members arrested by ICE, who have gone to the courts to get their dad or their mother or their brother back. And this woman, they gave her permission to go do this. Now, should I think there's a reason? Is there a two-tiered system here with ICE?"

Nonetheless, Delvey's presence on "DWTS" brings heightened attention to the show, which some argue is beneficial. "The rest of the cast need to understand that even though Anna is being given special treatment and an outsize share of the spotlight, it's good for the show overall because it brings more eyeballs to the episodes," said the insider. "As edgy as Anna's history is, it gets people invested in the storyline of this season."

The season premiere aired on Tuesday, September 17, featuring Delvey's highly anticipated performance - a Cha Cha to Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" with partner Ezra Sosa. "I did serve my time, and Dancing With the Stars is a way for me to show people a different side of me," Delvey stated on the show. Her partner Ezra reflected, "There is a lot of publicity surrounding Anna, so this is a lot of responsibility to guide her and hopefully give her that second chance."

Delvey, undeterred by public criticism, expressed hope that her new endeavor would change public opinion. "I hope that [for] everybody who feels negatively, I will be able to turn their opinion around," she said, adding, "I've reinvented myself many times, and this time I'm going to be a ballroom dancer." Their routine received a score of 18 out of 30.