Who Is Anna Delvey & Why Will She Perform with an Ankle Monitor on 'DWTS' – Her Story

Anna Delvey once captivated New York high society and is set to make headlines again — this time on "Dancing with the Stars," where she'll perform while wearing an ankle monitor. Here's the story behind her latest move and about who she truly is.

It was recently announced that Anna Delvey will join other celebrities on "Dancing with the Stars" sporting an unexpected accessory — an ankle monitor. The decision to have her on the show sparked a firestorm of mixed reactions, with some social media users labeling the decision as ludicrous.

As Delvey steps back into the spotlight, many might be left wondering: how did she get here, and why is she still under legal watch? Delvey's story is one of audacious accusations and shocking details.

Social Media Reactions to Anna Delvey on 'DWTS' with an Ankle Monitor

In September 2024, Anna Sorokin, better known as Anna Delvey, made headlines once again, but this time for joining the latest season of "Dancing with the Stars." She was cast alongside former NBA star Dwight Howard, actress Tori Spelling, and television personality Jenn Tran.

Her participation was announced on "Good Morning America," stirring up a frenzy on social media. Many found the idea of Delvey performing while under legal surveillance bizarre and controversial.

"This is absurd," one person commented. "The ankle monitor will make it really interesting," someone else added. "But she's not a star?" another person typed.

Other social media users found the news amusing, with one person sharing, "I have never wanted to watch this show until now." Others supported Delvey, writing, "Looking forward to [supporting] your journey on the show!"

Delvey's dance partner, Ezra Sosa, took to Instagram to share the news, writing, "Excited to announce my very first partner for DWTS is none other than the iconic @theannadelvey!"

"Thrilled to be hitting the dance floor with someone who knows how to keep everyone on their toes—both in and out of the ballroom. We're ready to hustle our way to the top—just without the wire transfers this time. 😘 💃🏽🕺🏽 @theannadelvey @dancingwiththestars #dwts," the caption continued.

When asked what prompted her to join ABC's reality dancing competition, Delvey admitted she was persuaded to join. "I kind of got talked into doing this," she said.

She was then granted permission from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "[...] And then it was kind of too late to back out," she revealed. Delvey was released from prison in 2021 after serving four years but has since been on house arrest while fighting her deportation case.

Anna Delvey's Deception – From Fake Heiress to Convicted Con Artist

Delvey lived under the guise of a German heiress with a multi-million-dollar trust fund for years. She used this fabricated persona to immerse herself in the luxurious world of New York City's elite.

Delvey stayed in boutique hotels, wore designer clothes, and rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous. She moved through the social circles of Manhattan's elite with ease.

She portrayed herself as a wealthy jet-setter who always had the means to pick up the tab — often paying in cash and posting her lavish lifestyle on Instagram and Twitter.

However, in reality, Delvey was not the wealthy socialite she pretended to be. She was born in Russia and raised in Germany in a middle-class family, far from the riches she claimed.

Arriving in New York City in 2013, she quickly crafted her new identity and began a life of deceit. Delvey tricked banks, friends, and businesses, walking out on bills and charming her way into a life of luxury she couldn't afford.

At one point, she even persuaded a bank employee to hand over $100,000, a loan she never intended to repay, and a crime that was a central point in her 2019 conviction. During her trial, Delvey portrayed herself as a misunderstood young woman who made some bad decisions.

She was candid about her lack of remorse, admitting in an interview from Rikers Island, "The thing is, I'm not sorry. I'd be lying to you and to everyone else and to myself if I said I was sorry for anything."

Her statements did little to sway public opinion, and prosecutors argued she knowingly used her false identity to swindle Manhattan's elite, accessing exclusive parties, nightclubs, and luxury hotels until her fraud was exposed.

Delvey's deceit led to accusations that she defrauded hotels, restaurants, a private jet operator, and banks out of approximately $275,000 in just ten months.

In May 2019, she was found guilty of eight charges, including grand larceny, attempted grand larceny, and theft of services. Delvey was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison, fined $24,000, and ordered to pay nearly $200,000 in restitution.

Despite being sentenced to a longer term, Delvey was released on good behavior in February 2021 after serving under four years. Throughout the trial and after her conviction, questions lingered about Delvey's true character. "Who is the real Sorokin?" people wondered.

"That's a loaded question. I would like to show the world that I'm not this dumb, greedy person that they portrayed me to be," she responded. Her former defense attorney, Todd Spodek, argued that Delvey did nothing criminal but exploit a system easily dazzled by wealth and glamour.

Spodek claimed Delvey merely told "little white lies." However, Delvey's former friend, Rachel DeLoache Williams, was among those who felt betrayed.

Williams recounted her experiences with Delvey and detailed how the Russian native often treated her to luxurious outings and exclusive services, including $300 private fitness sessions.

However, their friendship allegedly took a drastic turn during a 2017 trip to Morocco when Delvey's credit cards mysteriously stopped working.

Stranded, Williams reluctantly offered her own cards to cover expenses, accumulating a staggering $62,000 bill that she later realized Delvey had no intention of repaying. "She owed me more money than I made in a year," Williams said.

Delvey's downfall began in July 2017 when she was first arrested for skipping out on hotel bills at the Beekman and W New York hotels and leaving a restaurant without paying a small lunch bill.

Released briefly, she was rearrested in October 2017 and held at Rikers Island. Delvey admitted that she had gained notoriety among fellow inmates, who saw her as someone who had defrauded the rich, though she rejected that characterization.

Despite her infamy, Sorokin said she still had some infrequent visits from friends but had not seen Williams. Delvey's story gained further notoriety with the release of Netflix's series "Inventing Anna," which dramatized her rise and fall, bringing her story to an even wider audience.

Anna Delvey's journey from convicted con artist to reality TV star is anything but typical. As she dances her way back into the spotlight, she remains a polarizing figure.