Anna “Delvey” Sorokin has characterized her experience on “Dancing with the Stars” as “predatory,” suggesting the show used her notoriety for ratings rather than providing a genuine platform for growth.
The 33-year-old, who spent her early years under the Soviet regime in Russia, feels she faced an uphill battle almost from the start.
“I believe the show was engineered to exploit me, rather than allow me to flourish,” Sorokin expressed in an email to NBC News. “It felt manipulative, as if they purposely aimed to make me feel less than, while I was steadily improving, only to have that disregarded.”
“I never truly felt like I had a fair chance with the audience or some judges who seemed entirely out of touch in their scoring,” she lamented, noting her scores of 18 and 17 (out of 30) across her performances. “This competition should prioritize dance over popularity.”
“I’m eager to put my past behind me and pursue a fresh start,” Sorokin added. “I often wonder when society will grant me that elusive second chance, allowing me to truly move forward.”
“It’s supposed to be a dance competition and not a popularity contest.”
Initially, Sorokin enjoyed a lavish lifestyle while masquerading as a wealthy heiress, exploiting financial institutions and individuals. However, her deception led to her 2019 conviction for grand larceny and related crimes, resulting in a prison sentence of 4 to 12 years.
After serving two years, she was released on parole but later detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to a visa issue. She regained her freedom in 2022, albeit under stringent house arrest, stripped of social media access. To participate in “Dancing with the Stars,” she had to secure permission from ICE.
As the announcement broke regarding Sorokin’s participation on ABC’s star-studded show, outrage erupted across social media. The backlash intensified when promotional images showed her court-ordered ankle monitor prominently displayed, juxtaposed with her elegant dance attire.
In a recent podcast episode with Tori Spelling, who faced elimination during the same episode, Sorokin reiterated her grievances. “I felt it was a waste of my effort, to be cast aside so readily,” she shared during the “misSPELLING” podcast. “To me, it came off more negatively than positively.”
Upon her elimination last Tuesday, Sorokin’s viral response to what she gained from her time on the show was stark: “Nothing,” she told professional dancer and co-host Julianne Hough.
“That was my truth,” Sorokin explained to Spelling, reflecting on her reaction the night of her elimination. “[The producers] outlined what I needed to do. I complied, and still met with rejection. What I’ve taken away is empty; your advice didn’t resonate at all.”
