Fake heiress Anna Delvey, born Anna Sorokin, is making headlines once again, but this time for her controversial appearance on the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars. Known for her elaborate fraud scheme that inspired the hit Netflix series Inventing Anna, Delvey’s inclusion in the DWTS cast has drawn sharp criticism, especially from the show’s professional dancers like Maks Chmerkovskiy, who called her a “professional liar.”
Who Is Anna Delvey and What Did She Do?
Anna Sorokin, infamously known as Anna Delvey, posed as a wealthy German heiress to infiltrate New York City’s elite social circles. Between 2013 and 2017, she defrauded banks, hotels, and wealthy acquaintances out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. In 2019, she was convicted of multiple felonies, including grand larceny and theft of services, and sentenced to four to 12 years in prison.
Delvey’s story gained widespread attention through Netflix’s miniseries Inventing Anna, which chronicled her deceitful rise and eventual downfall. Despite her criminal past, she has maintained public intrigue, leading to her controversial participation in the entertainment world.
Delvey on ‘Dancing with the Stars’
Delvey’s casting on Dancing with the Stars has left many people questioning the show’s decision to feature someone with a criminal history. Maks Chmerkovskiy, a longtime DWTS professional dancer, voiced his outrage, stating, “We should not be rewarding dishonesty and manipulation with national TV spots.”
Fans and critics alike have expressed discomfort over Delvey’s public resurgence, especially given her past. Some argue that her presence on the show glamorizes her criminal behavior and sends the wrong message to viewers.
Julia Fox Weighs In
Actress and model Julia Fox, who has made headlines for her bold fashion statements and celebrity relationships, also chimed in on the controversy. Fox, known for her portrayal of intense and controversial characters, said that while Delvey’s story is fascinating, “celebrating her on a family-friendly show like DWTS seems misplaced.”
Anna Delvey and Ezra on DWTS
In the upcoming DWTS season, Delvey will be partnered with professional dancer Ezra Sosa, sparking curiosity about how she will fare on the dance floor. While the Inventing Anna star’s inclusion may boost viewership due to her notorious past, it remains to be seen how her presence will impact the show’s reputation.
Delvey’s Unlikely Connection to Donald Trump
Delvey also made headlines in 2021 when she wrote a letter to former President Donald Trump, offering him advice on navigating life in prison. The letter, though bizarre, added to her growing infamy as a convicted con artist who continues to make public waves even after her release from prison.
A Divisive Move by ‘Dancing with the Stars’
The decision to cast Anna Delvey on DWTS has sparked an ongoing debate about the intersection of crime, punishment, and celebrity culture. Some view her appearance as a chance at redemption, while others see it as a troubling glorification of her fraudulent actions.
As Delvey prepares to take the dance floor, the question remains: is it appropriate to give a convicted criminal the spotlight on one of America’s most popular reality shows?