Anna Sorokin, the notorious fraudster who schemed her way through high society by masquerading as a wealthy German heiress under the alias Anna Delvey, has unveiled her latest escapade: competing on Dancing With the Stars. Sorokin, now infamously known as the “ankle bracelet fashionista,” was revealed on Good Morning America as one of the show’s new contestants, alongside ex-NBA player Dwight Howard, actress Tori Spelling, and Jenn Tran, the recent Bachelorette lead whose season ended in heartbreak. Tran, notably the first Asian American Bachelorette, is no stranger to the spotlight, having also vied for love in Joey Graziadei’s season of The Bachelor, and now both she and Sorokin will compete for the glittering trophy.
However, what adds a layer of intrigue to Sorokin’s appearance is her ankle monitor, a vestige of her ongoing house arrest since October 2022. The promo image for the show even features her adorned in a dazzling gown, accentuated by the monitoring device—a fashion statement only she could pull off. Though Sorokin was released from prison in February 2021, she was swiftly detained by immigration officials for allegedly overstaying her visa, thrusting her into a drawn-out deportation battle. While in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for over a year, her release to house arrest came with stringent conditions, including restrictions on her travel.
Juda Engelmayer, Sorokin’s representative, clarified on Tuesday that under her current house arrest terms, she’s allowed to roam within 70 miles of her residence and across New York City’s five boroughs. However, any adjustments to these conditions to accommodate filming in Los Angeles remain shrouded in mystery, as ICE has yet to comment.
Even while confined to her New York apartment, Sorokin managed to stay in the public eye. Forbidden from using social media per the immigration judge’s orders, she still launched a podcast called The Anna Delvey Show, drawing notable guests like comedian Whitney Cummings and tech journalist Taylor Lorenz, who visited her residence for in-person interviews. In a candid June 2023 conversation with the Associated Press, Sorokin mused about others who gained fame through infamous acts, noting how many pivoted their notoriety into something more respectable. Joining Dancing With the Stars represents her first mainstream opportunity to do just that.
Competing in the show’s 33rd season, premiering on September 17 on ABC and Disney+, Sorokin will be dancing alongside several celebrated figures. Stephen Nedoroscik, an Olympic gymnast, affectionately dubbed “Pommel Horse Guy” by the internet, was the first to be announced as a contestant. His viral fame, amplified by his bronze-medal-winning performance and memes capturing his pre-competition rituals, catapulted him into the limelight. Additionally, rugby Olympian Ilona Maher, beloved for her humorous TikToks and candid body positivity messages, will be vying for the coveted mirrorball trophy.
The series, hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, will also see dancer Ezra Sosa, previously a member of the show’s ensemble, promoted to a professional role this season—he’s paired with none other than Sorokin. Meanwhile, another professional dancer, Artem Chigvintsev, will sit out this season following a recent arrest on domestic violence charges.
With the eclectic cast assembled, and Sorokin’s unlikely redemption arc in full swing, Dancing With the Stars promises to deliver both spectacle and intrigue this season.
