Con artist who served as inspiration for Netflix production “Inventing Anna” conquers US TV dance competition with ankle bracelet

ADVERTISING

Anna Sorokin, the notorious con artist who once shocked the world with her sophisticated deceptions, is now causing a stir again in the US reality series Dancing with the Stars – but it is her glittery ankle bracelet that is in the spotlight.

The so-called “fake heiress”, who was convicted in 2019 of defrauding banks, hotels and friends after falsely building the reputation of a wealthy German heiress named Anna Delvey, showcased the accessory at the premiere of the new season of the TV competition.

“It's actually not a big problem at all. It's pretty light and I asked them to make it tight so it doesn't dangle. So it's not that bad,” she told the AP after the premiere. She and dance pro Ezra Sosa performed a routine to Sabrina Carpenter's “Espresso.”

“Let’s face it: It’s the real star of the show,” Sosa joked about Sorokin’s rhinestone-studded ankle bracelet.

Who is Anna Sorokin?

Anna Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, is a 33-year-old Russian-born former con artist who rose to fame through her high-profile series of scams in which she posed as a wealthy German heiress from 2013 to 2017 in order to gain access to New York's upper-class society and art scene.

She defrauded banks, hotels and friends out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by posing as a wealthy socialite. Her story was widely covered in the media and inspired the hugely popular Netflix series Inventing Anna.

In 2019, Sorokin was convicted of multiple counts of theft and grand theft. After serving her sentence, she was released in February 2021, but was soon detained by immigration authorities for overstaying her visa.

She was in ICE custody for over a year before a judge allowed her to remain on house arrest in October 2022 while she fights her deportation. Her release conditions had to be changed so she could travel from New York to Los Angeles for filming.

Sorokin admitted that her debut on the television show did not go quite according to plan.

“I'm relieved it's over,” she said. “I think my dancing could have been a little better, but I'm glad I did it and it was a great experience overall.”

Sorokin said she hopes viewers will show some leniency despite her criminal past. “Hopefully people will give me a chance to show what I can do. And I've served my time and made my amends,” she said.