Anna Delvey appearance on “Dancing with the Stars” has drawn intense interest, not only because of her high-profile presence but also due to the legal challenges that have accompanied her debut on the show. Known for her elaborate fraud scheme that captivated the media and inspired a Netflix series, Delvey, whose real name is Anna Sorokin, faces a complex legal landscape as she steps into the spotlight again.
Delvey was convicted in 2019 for defrauding New York City’s elite by pretending to be a wealthy socialite. Her subsequent imprisonment and high-profile case made her a household name. Despite serving time, her story continues to attract attention, and her appearance on the dance competition show has brought renewed scrutiny.
Joining “Dancing with the Stars” was not straightforward for Delvey. Her legal team had to navigate a maze of restrictions and obligations tied to her case. Negotiations with the court were necessary to ensure her participation did not violate the conditions of her parole or probation. This involved detailed discussions about monitoring and limitations during her time on the show.
The legal challenges extend beyond her release terms. Delvey’s case is still entangled with various financial penalties and unresolved legal issues from her previous convictions. The ongoing nature of these matters means that any misstep or non-compliance could lead to additional complications, making her legal team’s role crucial in managing her public appearances and legal responsibilities.
Public and media interest in Delvey’s story has intensified the pressure on her legal representatives. The combination of her controversial past and the high visibility of her role on “Dancing with the Stars” means that even minor legal issues can quickly become major news. This constant scrutiny adds an extra layer of complexity to her situation, with every move closely watched and analyzed.
Despite the legal hurdles, Delvey’s appearance on the show has generated significant public curiosity. Her performances are seen by some as a potential redemption arc or a chance to reinvent herself after a turbulent past. For many viewers, her participation represents more than just a dance competition; it’s a narrative of transformation and a test of her ability to navigate past challenges while engaging in a high-profile public endeavor.
As Anna Delvey continues to juggle her legal obligations with her role on “Dancing with the Stars,” the intersection of her legal battles and entertainment career remains a focal point. The attention surrounding her case highlights the difficulties faced by individuals attempting to move beyond past mistakes while dealing with ongoing legal issues. Her story serves as a reminder of the intricate balance required to manage personal reinvention within the constraints of legal and public scrutiny.
Dancing with the Stars
Rise and Fall
Sorokin was arrested in 2017 while on the run in California and went on trial in New York. In 2019, she was found guilty of eight theft-related charges and sentenced to between four and 12 years.
That was part one of her legal struggles. After serving almost four years, including time in the notorious Rikers Island jail, she was released in February 2021 and was expected to leave the U.S. But she did not go.
Six weeks later, following a string of media appearances and a paid TV deal with a German company, immigration authorities arrested her for overstaying her visa. More than three years later, she is still fighting deportation. She has served additional time in jail and under house arrest. In 2022, she was scheduled to board a plane in New York to return to Germany, but her lawyer intervened, and she did not fly. Litigation regarding her deportation is ongoing.
Her exact claims for asylum are unclear, but they are believed to relate to her Russian citizenship. She lived there in her early years, but her family moved to Germany during her teens. When she was in New York in her 20s, she had a tourist visa. While under house arrest, Sorokin started her own podcast and did interviews with various media. (Vogue magazine filmed a tour of her apartment in the East Village; Vogue UK wrote a “What is Anna Delvey reading?” feature.)
“Most of us would die of embarrassment at doing anything that she does,” said Pressler, describing how Sorokin stayed in a hotel for months without paying the bill and flew to Morocco with no money. “From staying in a hotel for months and not paying bills to getting on a plane to Morocco with no money, no one would do that. She does it with aplomb. I think on the whole any admiration people have for her is kind of limited to that.”
Sorokin is not involved in that case, although she has been subpoenaed as a witness for the trial. Williams’ lawyer, Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, told the BBC that the case is expected to go to trial next year.
He said Sorokin’s employment on “Dancing with the Stars” was “glamorizing and minimizing the crimes she committed, and minimizing the impact on the people she hurt.” In court, Sorokin was found not guilty of the charge related to the Morocco trip. American Express eventually refunded Williams, but only after she had suffered a long period of stress and anxiety, according to her book.
While some have viewed Sorokin as an anti-establishment hero for infiltrating and embarrassing wealthy institutions, Williams did not see it that way. She previously told the BBC: “The system that Anna was seeking to undermine… she wasn’t doing it out of some altruistic nobility; she wanted to be a part of them.”
In response to the recent backlash, “Dancing with the Stars” producer Conrad Green told Variety: “Yes, [Sorokin] had the issues she’s had, but we’ve had other people on the show who’ve had criminal issues in the past. She served her time. I think it’s perfectly valid for her to be on the show.”
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