Convicted con artist Anna Sorokin took to the dance floor on “Dancing with the Stars” last September 17, which left some viewers displeased.
The so-called “fake heiress,” who was convicted of swindling banks, hotels, and friends in 2019 after falsely building a reputation as a wealthy German heiress named Anna Delvey, debuted a ballroom-worthy ankle monitor during the premiere of the season.
“It’s actually not a big issue at all. It’s pretty light and I asked them to make it tight so it doesn’t dangle. So it’s not so bad,” she said in an interview with The Associated Press after the premiere. She and dance pro Ezra Sosa performed a routine set to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.”
Sorokin admitted that her debut wasn’t what she hoped for.
“I feel relieved that it’s over,” she stated. “I feel like my dance could have been a little bit better, but I’m happy I’ve done this and it was a great experience all over.”
Sorokin expressed her hope that despite her criminal past, the audience will be somewhat forgiving.
“Hopefully people will give me, will give me a chance to show what I can do. And I served my time and I repaid my restitution,” she continued.
Viewers took to social media to express their disappointment, pointing out that the show is giving airtime to criminals.
My mom: I can't believe they're letting that criminal (Anna Delvey) perform on Dancing with the Stars.
Me: Yeah, that's almost as ridiculous as letting a criminal run for president.
— Krigginz (@Krigginz) September 18, 2024
I cannot believe they introduced Anna Delvey as fashionista and entrepreneur when her claim to fame is being a fucking criminal 😭😭😭. BE FOR REAL. @officialdwts
— The Cinema Spa (@TheCinemaSpa) September 21, 2024
#dwts horrible call to have Anna Delvey on the show! Not only due to her being a criminal but it looks like she doesn’t give a sh*t about being there! Ezra needs a better partner next time!!!
— 💫(she/her) (@15SR9) September 19, 2024
Since when is a convicted psychopath criminal a "fashionista and entrepreneur"? Adding sparkle to the soulless "dance" didn't do much to enhance #annadelvey 's image.
— KatKnits 🇨🇦 (@KathrynB_BC) September 18, 2024
Very disappointed that @officialdwts chose to put Anna Delvey and her bedazzled ankle monitor on this show. Giving her a platform is downright disgusting. 🤮
She’s a damn criminal. #DWTS
— ✨Joe✨ (@JoeSteelerFan) September 18, 2024
Still not over, and will not get over, actual CRIMINAL Anna Delvey competing on #DWTS
This show does not need controversial contestants to make the show interesting. Please stop
— Gabriela Lozada (@gabrielalozada) September 18, 2024
Seriously? @officialdwts #AnnaDelvey is a scammer & a fraud, under house arrest, who STILL only cares about clout.
She's literally famous for being a non remorseful criminal mastermind.
And you chose to give her the title of "Star"..
Or she blackmailed y'all?— Carly Louise is 2Sick💙🌈 (@ChronicalyCarly) September 16, 2024
If you want to see cultural rot in action, look no further than @officialdwts having a con artist as a competitor and billing her as "fashionista and socialite." Sorry, Anna Delvey or Sorkin or whatever he name is is a criminal, not a "star" by any definition of the word.
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) September 18, 2024
After serving her sentence in jail and being freed in February 2021, she was detained by immigration officials who said she had overstayed her visa and needed to go back to her home country of Germany.
Prior to being allowed to transition to home confinement in October 2022, while she battles deportation, the inspiration behind “Inventing Anna” spent more than a year in custody at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
To enable her to go from New York to Los Angeles for filming, her release conditions had to be changed.
Sorokin has become involved with a podcast and a reality program while being under house arrest.
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