LOS ANGELES. Anna Sorokin, infamously known as the “fake heiress” who conned banks, hotels, and friends by posing as a wealthy German socialite named Anna Delvey, is set to take on a new challenge: competing on the popular television show “Dancing With the Stars.” Sorokin’s participation in the show comes as she continues to fight a high-profile deportation case, adding another twist to her already controversial life.
Sorokin was announced as a contestant for the 33rd season of “Dancing With the Stars” during a segment on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday. She will be competing alongside other notable figures such as former NBA star Dwight Howard, actor Tori Spelling, and Jenn Tran, a recent lead on “The Bachelorette.”
Despite her legal troubles, Sorokin, often referred to as the “notorious ankle bracelet fashionista,” is fully embracing the spotlight. The show’s promotional images feature her in a glittering dress paired with her ever-present ankle monitor, a reminder of her current house arrest. Sorokin has been under house arrest since October 2022 after spending over a year in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. ICE detained her following her release from prison in February 2021, arguing that she had overstayed her visa and should be deported to Germany.
Sorokin’s spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, confirmed that under her house arrest conditions, she is allowed to travel within a 70-mile radius of her home in New York City’s East Village. However, it’s unclear if these restrictions will be adjusted to allow for filming in Los Angeles, where “Dancing With the Stars” is produced. Immigration authorities have not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
While Sorokin is prohibited from using social media as a condition of her house arrest, she has remained active in other ways. In 2023, she launched “The Anna Delvey Show,” a podcast that she records from her apartment, featuring guests such as comedian Whitney Cummings and journalist Taylor Lorenz.
In a June 2023 interview with the Associated Press, Sorokin reflected on her notorious past, stating, “So many people became famous for bad things and were able to kind of segue it into something different.” With her participation in “Dancing With the Stars,” Sorokin seems intent on transforming her infamy into mainstream recognition.
The new season of “Dancing With the Stars” is set to premiere on September 17 on ABC and Disney+. Sorokin’s dancing partner will be Ezra Sosa, who has been promoted to a “pro” dancer this season. The show’s hosts, Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, also announced that former Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola, gymnast and Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik, and “Family Matters” star Reginald VelJohnson will be among the competitors.
As Sorokin steps into the spotlight once again, her journey on “Dancing With the Stars” will undoubtedly be closely watched, not just for her dance moves, but for how her ongoing legal battles may unfold.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
