“Dancing with the Stars” says the latest show pulled in a record 14 million voters when the total was FIRST released

More than 14 million people cast their votes during the Sept. 24 episode in which Tori Spelling and Anna Sorokin were eliminated from the ABC ballroom competition, the network said Monday.

ABC shared the total with Deadline on Monday, breaking from their traditional practices. She added that the total represents the most votes ever received for the show's 33rd season. (The show's most-watched season to date occurred during Season 12 in the spring of 2011, when more than 22 million people watched the show, according to the outlet.)

DWTS executive producer Conrad Green told the network that the record-breaking feedback was an indicator that viewers had strong opinions about the contestants competing this season.

“Viewers can vote multiple times. “So if you particularly care about certain couples, you can vote up to 10 times for each couple,” Green told Deadline.

The executive producer said: “The record number of votes this week suggests to me that a large proportion of our audience is very passionate about many of our stars this year, and the year-on-year ratings increase suggests this is the case Case is.”

More than 14 million people cast their votes during the episode that eliminated Tori Spelling and Anna Sorokin from the ABC ballroom competition, the network said Monday. Sorokin pictured with Ezra Sosa in the episode

ABC shared the total with Deadline on Monday, breaking from their traditional practices. She added that the total represents the most votes ever received in the show's 33-season run

Green said that “as always, the cast makes the season” and that this year's contestants show “real dance talent,” “unique stories” and the “potential” to improve as the season progresses.

“This group of stars are truly personable, talented and love being on the show – and that passion for what they do really comes through on live television,” Green said.

In addition to the eliminated Delvey and Spelling, this season's contestants include reality stars Phaedra Parks, Joey Graziadei and Jenn Tran, Olympians Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik, NBA alum Dwight Howard, NFL alum Danny Amendola, model Brooks Nader and actors Eric Roberts and Chandler Kinney and Reginald VelJohnson.

Green said the dance competition offers television viewers a “really positive show at a time when the world is pretty bleak.”

“With watching comes a certain escapism and sense of community that reminds us of what we have in common as Americans,” Green said. “We’ve also been on the air long enough that a new generation of viewers are watching with their children, and the show’s popularity has exploded on social apps like TikTok, attracting new viewers.”

Sorokin, the convicted con artist who defrauded banks, hotels and friends under the guise of an “heiress” named Anna Delvey, reached the end of her career in the September 24 episode.

A controversial casting decision in the competition reality series required Sorokin to wear an ankle monitor on stage. Sorokin was described in the announcement of her casting as a “notorious anklet fashionista” and is under house arrest pending deportation proceedings.

When she was released from prison in February 2021, immigration authorities detained her shortly after her release, claiming she had overstayed her visa and needed to be sent back to her home country of Germany.

Tuesday's episode also eliminated Tori Spelling, an actress best known for “Beverly Hills, 90210.”

After her elimination with partner Pasha Pashkov, Spelling described her time on the show as a “crazy transformational journey” and noted that she was glad she faced her fears despite being cut

The Inventing Anna inspiration was in ICE custody for over a year before a judge cleared the way for her to move to home confinement in October 2022 while she fights the deportation case.

After her appearance on KT Tunstall's Suddenly I See on Tuesday with dance pro Ezra Sosa, Sorokin was eliminated from the series. Eliminations began in the second week of the series and are based on viewers' votes.

When asked by the hosts on Tuesday evening what she would take away from the competition, Delvey answered clearly: “Nothing.”

She reiterated on “Good Morning America” ​​Wednesday that the best part of the experience for her was “getting eliminated.”

Sorokin and Sosa spoke to The Associated Press last week after their first appearance. As Sorokin danced with her ankle monitor blinded to match her costume, she said, “Actually, it's not a big problem at all.” It's pretty light and I asked her to make it tight so it doesn't dangle. So it's not that bad.'

Changes to Sorokin's house arrest conditions to allow the show to film in Los Angeles were not known, and it remains unclear how her drawn-out deportation case will proceed.

Both Spelling and Sorokin left the series in the September 24 issue

Sorokin said after her elimination that her favorite part of the experience was “getting eliminated.”

A controversial casting decision in the competition reality series required Sorokin to wear an ankle monitor on stage

The September 24 episode also eliminated Spelling, an actor best known for “Beverly Hills, 90210.”

After her elimination with partner Pasha Pashkov, Spelling described her time on the show as a “crazy transformational journey” and noted that she was glad she faced her fears despite being cut.

“I kept looking at my kids sitting in the audience and just thought, 'I love you. I love you.' And I wanted them to know, no matter what, 'I love you and thank you for being proud of me,'” Spelling said. “It happens quickly and you're in your head because it's scary. 'It's really scary.'