Anna Sorokin: The Rise and Fall of the ‘Fake Heiress’ and Her Surprising Journey to “Dancing with the Stars” Anna Sorokin, better known by the alias Anna Delvey, became infamous in the late 2010s for her high-profile scam of posing as a wealthy German heiress to infiltrate New York’s elite social circles. Her meteoric rise to fame—and subsequent downfall—fascinated the world, spawning documentaries, books, and a Netflix series (Inventing Anna), detailing her elaborate schemes and eventual conviction. Now, years after her criminal conviction, Sorokin has made headlines again with her unexpected appearance on "Dancing with the Stars", showcasing a surprising pivot in her post-prison life. This biography delves into Anna Sorokin's life, her infamous criminal activities, legal battles, and her recent foray into reality television. Early Life: From Russia to Germany Anna Sorokin was born on January 23, 1991, in Domodedovo, Russia, a suburb of Moscow. Her early life was far removed from the glamour she would later claim to possess. Sorokin's father worked as a truck driver, and her family led a modest, working-class life. In 2007, when Anna was 16, her family relocated to Germany, where they hoped to find better opportunities. They settled in Escheweiler, a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia, where Sorokin attended high school. In Germany, Sorokin was described as a quiet student, though not particularly interested in academics. She was more captivated by fashion, art, and the luxurious lifestyles of the elite. After graduating from high school, Sorokin moved to London to attend Central Saint Martins, a prestigious art school. However, she quickly dropped out and relocated to Paris, where she began working as an intern for the French fashion magazine Purple. It was during her time in Paris that Sorokin first began to experiment with the persona of “Anna Delvey,” a wealthy German heiress with a supposedly limitless trust fund. Using this fabricated identity, she began to make inroads into the elite social circles of New York, where her story would take a darker turn. The Rise of Anna Delvey: The "Fake Heiress" In 2013, Sorokin moved to New York City, where she officially adopted her "Delvey" persona. She began attending high-society events, mingling with celebrities, artists, and the wealthy. Her story of being a German heiress, poised to inherit a substantial trust fund, made her an intriguing figure in New York’s elite social scene. Sorokin stayed at luxury hotels, frequented high-end restaurants, and attended exclusive parties, all while carefully cultivating her image as a mysterious and fabulously wealthy young woman. Sorokin’s charm and apparent wealth allowed her to move effortlessly through Manhattan’s elite. She convinced friends, business contacts, and acquaintances that she was working on a major business venture—a luxury arts club called the “Anna Delvey Foundation” (ADF). To fund this fictitious project, Sorokin sought millions in loans from prominent banks, claiming her trust fund would soon cover the expenses. However, without a single dollar to her name, Sorokin’s glamorous lifestyle was sustained through deceit, manipulation, and a series of unpaid bills. Between 2013 and 2017, Sorokin scammed hotels, banks, and wealthy acquaintances out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. She would often convince friends to cover her expenses, promising to pay them back, only to disappear or offer excuses when the time came to settle the debt. Her schemes unraveled when hotels and acquaintances started to demand payments, and her ability to bluff her way out of trouble faltered. The Arrest and Trial: The Downfall of Anna Delvey In 2017, after failing to pay a $30,000 hotel bill, Sorokin was arrested by the NYPD. The grand illusion she had so carefully crafted came crashing down as the details of her scams were made public. She was charged with multiple counts of grand larceny, theft of services, and other related crimes, totaling more than $275,000 in fraud. In her 2019 trial, Sorokin’s defense claimed that she never intended to commit fraud and that her actions were misunderstood as those of an ambitious businesswoman. However, the prosecution painted a different picture, arguing that Sorokin was a deliberate con artist who manipulated people and institutions to fund her lavish lifestyle. Sorokin’s trial garnered widespread media attention, with her courtroom outfits—often meticulously styled—becoming a topic of public fascination. In May 2019, Anna Sorokin was convicted of eight charges, including grand larceny in the second degree and theft of services. She was sentenced to 4 to 12 years in prison, fined $24,000, and ordered to pay nearly $200,000 in restitution. Life After Prison: Reinvention and Media Attention Anna Sorokin’s story didn’t end with her conviction. After serving nearly four years in prison, she was released in February 2021 for good behavior. However, just weeks after her release, she was detained again by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying her visa, facing possible deportation to Germany. Throughout her time in prison and after her release, Sorokin remained a topic of media fascination. Netflix's Inventing Anna, a dramatized retelling of her life, premiered in early 2022, and Sorokin even sold her life rights to the streaming giant, netting her a significant payday (though much of it went to pay her legal debts and restitution). The show, created by Shonda Rhimes, brought Sorokin's story to a global audience and reignited interest in her life and crimes. Despite her legal troubles, Sorokin has continued to maintain her public presence. She regularly posts on social media, giving insights into her life under house arrest, and has even launched a podcast where she discusses her experiences and newfound fame. In a twist that few could have predicted, Sorokin's notoriety has become her personal brand, and she has expressed interest in pursuing more media opportunities. “Dancing with the Stars”: A New Chapter? In a move that stunned fans and critics alike, Anna Sorokin made her reality TV debut by joining the cast of "Dancing with the Stars" in 2024. Her inclusion in the show, which typically features a mix of celebrities, athletes, and public figures, has been controversial, with many questioning whether someone with Sorokin’s criminal past should be given such a prominent platform. However, Sorokin’s participation on the show has been viewed by some as an attempt to further rehabilitate her public image. Partnered with a professional dancer, Sorokin has surprised viewers with her commitment to the competition. Her performances, though not flawless, have demonstrated determination and a willingness to reinvent herself in the public eye. The judges have been a mix of intrigued and critical, with some acknowledging the complexity of her persona while others focus strictly on her dancing ability. Sorokin, for her part, has embraced the experience, viewing it as another opportunity to reclaim her narrative. She has publicly stated that her time on the show is part of her effort to move beyond her past mistakes and build a new chapter in her life. Conclusion: The Ongoing Story of Anna Sorokin Anna Sorokin’s journey from small-town girl in Russia to infamous socialite and convicted con artist is one of the most fascinating modern-day scandals. Her ability to manipulate New York’s elite, evade consequences for years, and ultimately leverage her notoriety into continued fame speaks to the complexities of media and public fascination with crime. With her appearance on Dancing with the Stars, Sorokin has again found herself in the limelight, this time on her own terms. Whether she will be able to fully reinvent herself or remain a controversial figure tied to her past remains to be seen. For now, Sorokin’s journey continues to captivate the public’s attention, with each new development offering another chapter in the saga of the “Fake Heiress.” Thanks for listening and remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts.