Getty/Dominik Bindl
Anna Delvey burst into the public consciousness when journalist Jessica Pressler’s gripping investigation, “How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People” got turned into a hit Netflix series, Inventing Anna. Now, she’s on Dancing With The Stars in a move that had many of those asking “where is Anna Delvey now?” thrown for a loop.
Those asking themselves, “Where is Anna Delvey now?” might be in for a surprise. From wannabee socialite, to convicted fraudster and now aspiring influencer Delvey’s post-prison activities have drawn plenty of criticism. Now, to the surprise of almost everyone Delvey is launching into reality TV after being cast in Dancing With The Stars. And she, the series producers and the US immigration system are receiving backlash.
Here’s everything you need to know about Anna ‘Delvey’ Sorokin’s journey from wannabee socialite to convicted fraudster and Dancing With The Stars contestant – and why people have serious issues with it.
What Happened To Anna Delvey?
In 2013, Anna Sorokin arrived in New York having changed her name to “Delvey”. She posed as a German heiress and became well connected amongst New York’s social elite. In October 2017, as per The New York Times, Anna Delvey (now known, again as Sorokin) was charged with stealing $300,000, and attempting to steal $22 million via her Anna Delvey Foundation. She was indicted on seven counts, including an attempt to commit grand larceny in the first, second and third degree and theft of services.
Then April 2019, Delvey was additionally convicted of attempted grand larceny, two counts of grand larceny in the second degree, grand larceny in the third degree and theft of services. She was sentenced to four to 12 years imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution. She has since paid restitution with the money she received from Netflix for the rights to her life story.
Delvey was incarcerated in Rikers Island during the trial before being transferred to Albion Correctional Facility in upstate New York, where she stayed the remainder of her sentence. Here, journalist Jessica Pressler and actress Julia Garner interviewed her for the article and TV series that would make her an internationally recognisable name.
Despite her many charges, in February 2021, Delvey was released from incarceration, on good behaviour, having served only two years in prison.
What’s Anna ‘Delvey’ Sorokin Been Up To Since?
Since her release, Sorokin has been keen to keep herself in the public eye. Sorokin has enthusiastically talked about launching a TV series (Anna Delvey TV), a podcast and a memoir. And, she’s been strikingly unapologetic about her crimes. In 2021, she told Business Insider her time in prison was “a huge waste of time”. From jail, she told The New York Times “I’d be lying to you and to everyone if I said I was sorry for anything.” In an interview with 60 Minutes she said that “if someone was impressed by a $100 bill I don’t know what to tell them,” and that she “doesn’t care about stupid people.”
She’s also played a dicey game with the law; in March 2021, she was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for overstaying her visa. In 2022, she was released on bail under house arrest while she fought her deportation case, as per Vanity Fair.
Anna Sorokin has made the most of her excursions to court. Since her first court appearances in 2019, she has worked with celebrity stylist Anastasia Walker and continues to work with her. She’s been interviewed by Vogue, made a runway debut at New York Fashion Week and started her own podcast.
Responses To Anna Delvey’s ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Casting
Given Anna ‘Delvey’ Sorokin is one of New York’s most high profile criminals, her casting on Dancing With The Stars has been controversial. Many people have been critical with the seeming ease with which Sorokin worked around the terms of her house arrest with ICE to appear on a reality TV series, which has made the most of its scandalous star by promoting the show with a shot of her ankle bracelet.
But, asked about public response backlash to her casting Anna Delvey told People :”It’s just not that serious, If someone is that upset about casting on a dancing show, I don’t know what to tell them.”
The awkward silence during Anna’s entire dance… #DWTS pic.twitter.com/GRbWVWXt8P
— maleja ♡ (@mari_garzon6) September 18, 2024
Responses To Anna Delvey’s Dancing With The Stars Debut
The way Anna Delvey’s first #DWTS performance sucked all the energy and happiness out of the ballroom was something I don’t think I’ve witnessed in 33 seasons. Honestly, that was kind of shocking.
— David Onda (@David_Onda) September 18, 2024
So, what about her actual performance? For those wondering if Delvey would transition seamlessly from semi-successful con-artist to successful to prize-winning dancer, the verdict is in.
On Tuesday, Delvey completed a cha-cha to Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso (we can’t fault her taste in music) with her partner professional dancer Ezra Sosa. Reviews haven’t been glowing. One X poster wrote that the aspiring star “sucked all the energy and happiness out of the ballroom. Others referred to the “awkward silence” during her dance routine and “zero chemistry” between her and her dance partner. Another called her “the personification of ‘buzzkill’.”
The Real Problem With Anna Delvey’s Performance On DWTS
For many viewers, however, there’s a larger issue with Anna Delvey’s casting in Dancing With The Stars. Many of the complaints about Delvey’s appearance on Dancing With The Stars and her arrangement with immigration have noted the role white privilege has played in her case and her fame. One X user wrote: “What do you mean you went to prison for stealing from people and now you’re famous and on dancing with the stars??? Be f*cking for real if she wasn’t European (read: white) she would have been deported immediately after she got out.”
Several organisations within the US, including Freedom for Immigrants and The American Civil Liberties Union have complained of the disproportionate violence and harm people of colour are subject to in the immigration system.
As another X user, @alejandro912011, wrote: “Only in the US can yt [white] people be convicts and still benefit. A POC could never.”
It does seem like Delvey’s parlaying of grand theft into wealth and fame seems a unique example of US celebrity culture colliding with the US Justice System – and white privilege at work.
Related Posts:
- Dancing With The Stars’ Taps Anna Delvey & Pommel Horse Guy For Chaotic Cast
- Julia Garner On How She Won Over High-Society Scammer Anna Delvey
- Anna Delvey Spills Her Thoughts On ‘Inventing Anna’ In A Rare, Candid Podcast Interview
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