Con Artist Anna Sorokin Eliminated from "Dancing With the Stars"

Anna Sorokin, the convicted fraudster who gained notoriety for her "Anna Delvey" persona, has been eliminated from the popular reality show "Dancing With the Stars." The controversial contestant's journey on the program came to an end on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, after her performance to KT Tunstall's "Suddenly I See" with professional dancer Ezra Sosa.

Sorokin's participation in the show was marked by unique circumstances, as she performed while wearing an ankle monitor due to her ongoing house arrest. The 33-year-old Russian-born German national has been embroiled in legal issues since her release from prison in February 2021, after serving nearly four years for multiple fraud convictions.

Following her elimination, Sorokin appeared on "Good Morning America" on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, where she stated that her favorite part of the experience was "getting eliminated." This candid response aligns with her reputation for provocative statements and unconventional behavior.

Sorokin's journey to infamy began in 2013 when she first arrived in New York City for Fashion Week. Over the next few years, she crafted the fake identity of Anna Delvey, a supposed wealthy German heiress, to infiltrate New York's high society. Her elaborate scheme involved attempts to secure multi-million dollar loans and led to her conviction on multiple counts of attempted grand larceny, theft of services, and larceny in the second degree in 2019.

The ankle monitor Sorokin wore during her "Dancing With the Stars" performances was a stark reminder of her current legal situation. She has been fighting deportation to Germany since March 2021, when immigration authorities detained her shortly after her release from prison, citing an overstayed visa.

Despite the restrictions of house arrest, Sorokin managed to participate in the show, with her ankle monitor bedazzled to match her dance costumes. When asked about dancing with the device, Sorokin remarked, "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."

Sorokin's story has captivated public interest, inspiring the Netflix series "Inventing Anna" and leading to a significant social media following. With over 1 million Instagram followers as of 2023, she has leveraged her notoriety to explore various ventures, including launching a collection of NFTs called "Reinventing Anna" while in ICE custody.

The same episode also saw the elimination of Tori Spelling, best known for her role in "Beverly Hills, 90210." Spelling described her time on the show as a "crazy transformational journey" and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to face her fears.

As Sorokin's "Dancing With the Stars" chapter closes, questions remain about her future. Her deportation case continues, and it's unclear how her participation in the show might affect her legal standing. What is certain is that Sorokin's ability to remain in the public eye, even while under house arrest, demonstrates her knack for reinvention and controversy.

"Nothing."

Sorokin's journey from fashion magazine intern to convicted fraudster to reality TV contestant underscores her complex and controversial public persona. As she continues to navigate her legal challenges, including potential deportation, the world watches to see what the next act will be for the woman who once convinced New York's elite that she was a wealthy heiress named Anna Delvey.