The hosts of the reality dance show, Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, introduced Anna as a “businesswoman,” according to German newspaper Bild.
Anna showcased her dancing skills with a “cha-cha-cha,” accompanied by professional dancer Ezra Sosa. The German report mentions that she paired her ankle bracelet with sparkly rhinestones and wore a colorful fringed dress.
Con artist Anna Sorokin's bedazzled ankle monitor was "the real star of the show" as "Dancing With The Stars" kicked off its 33rd season in LA. pic.twitter.com/Rrc6xkFcVO
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) September 18, 2024
While Sorokin doesn’t seem too focused on winning this season, her dance partner expressed a desire to win the trophy, as it marks his debut on the show.
Confirming Sorokin’s lack of interest in victory, Sosa commented: “Delvey said that if she wins the mirrorball trophy, she’ll just store it away.”
As Bild reminded, Sorokin’s participation in the show was announced earlier this month on “Good Morning America,” alongside other big names like former NBA star Dwight Howard and actress Tori Spelling. However, Sorokin has garnered the most media attention.
The ‘Heiress’ Who Scammed Banks, Tycoons, and Hotels
From 2013 to 2017, Sorokin scammed banks, luxury hotels, and prominent figures in Manhattan out of around $200 million.
In 2019, Sorokin, under the alias Anna Delvey, was sentenced to prison for 8 counts of fraud, receiving a sentence of four to twelve years. She served her time in five different correctional facilities and was released in February 2021 for good behavior.
However, she was immediately arrested by immigration authorities, who claimed she had overstayed her U.S. visa and needed to return to her home country of Germany.
Since 2022, Sorokin has been under house arrest in New York, wearing an ankle monitor, while her deportation case remains unresolved.
Appearing on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ with an Ankle Monitor – Possible Changes to Her Restrictions
Despite her legal situation, this hasn’t stopped Sorokin from dancing on the show, as photos released by the show reveal her wearing a glittering dress and an ankle monitor.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not commented on whether Sorokin’s restrictions have been adjusted to accommodate the filming in Los Angeles.
Her representative, Judah Engelmayer, confirmed that she is allowed to travel within 112 kilometers of her base and anywhere within the five boroughs of New York City under her current restrictions.
Sorokin’s dramatic life story has even inspired Netflix, which released the series “Inventing Anna.” In the show, Anna Delvey is portrayed by American actress Julia Garner. According to Page Six, Sorokin sold the rights to her story to Netflix for $320,000.
