Convicted Con Artist Talks About Her Journey to the Dance Floor and Responds to Controversial Casting
Anna Delvey, the infamous figure known for her high-profile fraud case, has revealed how she navigated her legal restrictions to secure a spot on Dancing with the Stars. In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, Delvey, whose real name is Anna Sorokin, shared the process behind her casting and the challenges she faced due to her house arrest.
Following the announcement of the season 33 cast on Good Morning America, the 33-year-old Delvey discussed how she obtained special clearance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to participate in the Los Angeles-based show, despite being confined to her New York City residence.
“DWTS approached my team, and I had to request permission from ICE to travel out of state since the show is filmed in Los Angeles, and I’m currently under house arrest in New York,” Delvey explained. “It took about 10 days to get everything approved, and by the time I got the green light, I flew to L.A. the next day. It all happened pretty quickly, and I just thought, why not?”
Delvey gained widespread notoriety for posing as a wealthy German heiress and defrauding banks, hotels, and individuals in New York’s elite social circles. Arrested in 2017, she was convicted in 2019 of grand larceny and theft of services, receiving a sentence of four to 12 years in prison. However, after being released for good behavior in February 2021, Delvey was detained by ICE for visa violations and has since been living under house arrest while fighting deportation.
Addressing the potential backlash over her controversial casting on the popular dance competition, Delvey remained unfazed. “It’s just not that serious. If someone is that upset about casting choices on a dancing show, I don’t know what to tell them,” she said.
Despite her legal situation, Delvey will compete alongside professional dancer Ezra Sosa, under the condition that she continues to wear her ankle monitor. When asked about whether the device would impact her performance, she confidently responded, “In what way would it affect me? It’s actually pretty light.”
With the controversy surrounding her past, Delvey’s participation in Dancing with the Stars is already drawing attention, but she seems determined to take on the challenge and leave her mark on the dance floor.