Through this platform, I am raising an urgent concern regarding Hollywood’s seeming endorsement of criminal behavior. The disturbing decision to allow Anna Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, to compete in the nationally renowned TV show, Dancing With The Stars, is but a symptom of the problem. Sorokin, a convincing socialite, was convicted for grand larceny and theft of services, amounting to more than $200,000. Although it is true that she has served her time according to the American judicial system, the decision to place such individuals into the national spotlight brings into question our societal values.

As an impassioned citizen, I fear for the ramifications this stance could have for the future. Will this be our new norm? Are we to place individuals like Gypsy Rose, who brutally manipulated and murdered her mother, into similar positions of fame and adoration? We forget that providing such mass platforms to convicts inadvertently glamorizes crime, especially in the eyes of our impressionable youth watching at home.

While we must avoid a culture of continued punishment for convicts who have served their sentences, we should be aware of the serious implications of turning them into celebrities. It is important to remember that behind every criminal act there are victims. We must balance our quest for edgy, controversial entertainment with compassion for these victims, many of whom may be retraumatized seeing their perpetrators on national TV.

Let us stand against this worrisome trend and show Hollywood that we want entertainment that respects not only the judicial system but also the experience of victims. Sign this petition to prevent Anna Sorokin from competing on Dancing With The Stars and send a message that crime should never be a path to fame.