The casting controversy surrounding the former “fake German heiress” felt both familiar and fresh. And while parts of the internet were upset, her personal reinvention may have helped revive interest in “DWTS.”

The premiere’s ratings are up from last season after the show returned to ABC this year. According to an ABC press release, the season premiere on Sept. 17 was watched by nearly 5 million viewers and topped television stats in total viewers and adults 18-49, according to Nielsen. That’s a 4% increase from the final season premiere in September of last year, which drew 4.78 million viewers.

Anna Delvey’s casting for “DWTS” sparked backlash in the ballroom and outside

The outcry surrounding Delvey was already evident before her first dance.

Former “DWTS” pro announcer Cheryl Burke said on her podcast that Sosa working with “someone who’s a little bit complicated” was “a lot” for the pro announcer, who is new to the show. Whoopi Goldberg mentioned on “The View”: “The families whose family members were detained by immigration who went to court to get their father or their mother or their brother back, and this woman gave her permission to do that.”

Reinventing Anna Delvey: Does she deserve a chance on “Dancing with the Stars”?

The backlash continued on social media, with users demanding that the show “stop glorifying her.”