Deceptive socialite Anna Sorokin to join ‘Dancing With the Stars’ amidst deportation fight

Anna Sorokin, the 2019 convicted con artist known for duping banks, hotels, and friends by posing as a wealthy German heiress named Anna Delvey, has now set her sights on a new venture: competing on “Dancing With the Stars.” Referred to as the “notorious ankle bracelet fashionista” in a press release, it was revealed on “Good Morning America” that Sorokin will be joining the upcoming 33rd season of the show alongside other contestants like former NBA star Dwight Howard, actor Tori Spelling, and Jenn Tran, who recently had her heart broken on “The Bachelorette.”
Sorokin’s participation in the show comes with added challenges due to the ankle bracelet she has been required to wear since October 2022 during her house arrest. Following her prison release in February 2021, immigration authorities detained her for overstaying her visa and initiated deportation proceedings. After more than a year in ICE custody, a judge allowed her to switch to home confinement in October 2022 pending the resolution of her deportation case.
While under house arrest, Sorokin was prohibited from using social media by the immigration judge, but she kept herself busy by starting a podcast named “The Anna Delvey Show” and hosting guests in her New York apartment. Despite the restrictions, she remained hopeful about using her newfound platform positively, stating in a June 2023 interview that many have turned a negative past into a positive future.
Sorokin’s role on “Dancing With the Stars” presents a mainstream opportunity for her to pursue this goal. The upcoming season will see her teaming up with dancer Ezra Sosa, who has been elevated to a “pro” this season. Notably, Artem Chigvintsev will not be returning as a pro after being recently arrested on a domestic violence charge.
The announcement of the full celebrity lineup for the upcoming season includes former Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola, “The Bachelor” contestant Joey Graziadei, model Brooks Nader, gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, attorney and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Phaedra Parks, actor Eric Roberts, and more. The competition is set to premiere on September 17 on ABC and Disney+.