Convicted con artist Anna Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, has sparked controversy after being announced as a contestant on the upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars.
The 33-year-old, who defrauded banks, hotels and individuals out of $275,000 (£215,000), will join the cast of the popular US dance competition show despite being under house arrest.
The infamous fraudster, who posed as a wealthy German heiress, was found guilty of grand larceny and theft of services in 2019.
She was released from prison in 2022 but remained under house arrest as she fought deportation to Germany.
Natalie Maniscalco, CEO of bluePRint Communications, told DailyMail.com: “As a family-oriented network, this decision tarnishes the show’s reputation and signals that ABC prioritises viewership over family values.”
Sorokin’s inclusion has prompted immediate backlash from viewers, with many calling for a boycott of the programme, and expressing their distaste on social media.
One Reddit user demanded: “Let’s all boycott. I’m not watching the show until she’s eliminated.”
Others questioned the ethics of featuring a convicted criminal on a family-oriented programme.
“Anna Delvey better get voted off asap… if she was a good person, maybe… but no. Stop,” one X user stated before another fumed: “Scraping the bottom of the barrel ABC, do better.” (sic)
Sorokin’s participation in Dancing With The Stars also raised questions about her house arrest conditions, with her immigration lawyer, John Sandweg, confirming to The Daily Mail that her house arrest was lifted in recent weeks.
Complicating Sorokin’s latest starring role is the ankle bracelet she’s worn since October 2022, when she started her house arrest — though the show appears to be leaning into it with a promo image of her donning a glittering dress and an ankle monitor on her leg.
However, it remains unclear how filming in Los Angeles will be accommodated as she previously was allowed to travel within a 70-mile radius of her New York City home.
The convicted fraudster has already begun capitalising on her notoriety and recently launched a podcast called “The Anna Delvey Show” and announced her involvement in a new reality programme called “Traits”.
During the cast announcement on Good Morning America, Sorokin flippantly remarked that she wanted viewers to know “how good I am at the Cha-Cha”.
The star-studded cast for Dancing With The Stars season 33 includes a mix of celebrities, athletes and reality stars.
Actress Tori Spelling, Sports Illustrated model Brooks Nader and The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Phaedra Parks are among the famous faces set to compete.
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The lineup also features Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher, NBA star Dwight Howard and actor Eric Roberts. Reality TV personalities Jenn Tran from The Bachelorette and Joey Graziadei from The Bachelor will join the competition.
Team USA gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, known as ‘pommel horse guy’ after his bronze medal win at the 2024 Olympics, was the first contestant announced last month.
The new season, hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, is set to premiere on 17 September on ABC and Disney+.
