The Controversial Debut of Anna Delvey on Dancing With The Stars: A Legal and Cultural Analysis

“Dancing with the Stars” has long been a fixture of American television, celebrated for its sparkle and entertainment. However, the show’s upcoming season premiere introduces a notable twist: Anna Delvey, the notorious convicted fraudster, will be gracing the dance floor adorned with a bejeweled ankle monitor. This high-profile inclusion has sparked significant controversy and debate.

ABC, owned by Disney, has promoted Sorokin as “an artist, fashion icon, and infamous NYC socialite,” while also dubbing her a “notorious ankle bracelet fashionista.” Her participation in the show aligns her with an eclectic cast featuring an NBA veteran, reality TV stars, and Olympians. This adaptation of the BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing” has stirred criticism, particularly regarding the glamorization of Sorokin’s criminal past. The New York Post labeled her appearance as a “new low for pop culture.”

Critics are also questioning the legitimacy of Sorokin’s right to remain in the U.S., given her status as a German-Russian citizen. The ankle monitor she will wear is not related to her 2019 convictions for fraud but is a result of her ongoing immigration battle. Sorokin is contesting her deportation, which has added another layer to her complex legal saga.

Public reaction to Sorokin’s new chapter is polarized. Some view her as embodying a distorted version of the American Dream, celebrating her relentless ambition despite her criminal background. Others criticize her for apparent self-promotion and lack of remorse, deeming it a display of audacity without accountability.

On “The View,” Whoopi Goldberg criticized Sorokin’s participation as indicative of a “two-tier immigration system” that benefits the wealthy and influential. This sentiment reflects a broader critique of a system where high-profile figures may evade consequences that would impact ordinary citizens.

Sorokin first attracted widespread attention in 2018 when New York Magazine detailed her elaborate schemes. Her scams, including defrauding banks, lawyers, and private jet companies of over $200,000, were further explored in Netflix’s “Inventing Anna” and the BBC’s “Fake Heiress” podcast. Sorokin’s audacity captivated the public: she infiltrated New York’s elite circles under a false pretense of being a wealthy heiress, aiming to secure a $22 million loan for a personal arts foundation.

Her criminal activities involved forgery, unpaid bills, bounced checks, and deceptive emails. These acts impacted various businesses and individuals. Jessica Pressler, whose article inspired “Inventing Anna,” noted that the public’s fascination with Sorokin often overlooks the specifics of her crimes. She remarked that Sorokin’s continued public presence, including her recent role on “Dancing with the Stars,” reflects a natural extension of her notorious narrative.

Sorokin’s legal troubles began with her arrest in 2017 while she was on the run. Convicted in 2019 of eight theft-related charges, she was sentenced to four to twelve years in prison. After serving nearly four years, including time at Rikers Island, she was released in February 2021 but remained in the U.S., where she was soon arrested for overstaying her visa.

Three years later, Sorokin is still fighting deportation. Although she was scheduled to be deported in 2022, her lawyer intervened, and she remains in the U.S. under complex legal circumstances. Her asylum claims, believed to relate to her Russian citizenship, have not been fully disclosed. During her house arrest, Sorokin continued to engage with the media, including starting a podcast and participating in various interviews.

John Sandweg, her immigration lawyer, described the deportation process as “fairly protracted,” complicated further by her ongoing criminal appeals. Sandweg noted that Sorokin’s house arrest terms were stringent but were relaxed in August, allowing her to travel to Los Angeles for the show’s filming.

Sorokin has been involved in numerous legal disputes, including a landlord’s claim for unpaid rent during her house arrest. Funding for her legal battles is reportedly supported by media deals and sales of her prison artwork. Netflix’s $320,000 payment to Sorokin for her story led to a legal obligation to compensate her victims, though some funds were used for legal fees. Netflix is now facing a defamation lawsuit from Rachel Williams, a former friend depicted in the series.

In response to backlash, “Dancing with the Stars” producer Conrad Green defended Sorokin’s participation, stating that while she has had legal issues, many past contestants have also faced criminal charges. Green emphasized that Sorokin has served her time, asserting that her presence on the show is valid.

The integration of Anna Sorokin into the entertainment sphere, despite her controversial past, underscores ongoing debates about justice, media representation, and the public’s appetite for stories of crime and redemption.