From con woman to ballroom dancer

Anna Delvey, the infamous "fake heiress" whose scandalous rise to infamy was dramatized in Netflix’s 'Inventing Anna', made her debut on 'Dancing With the Stars' Tuesday night, hoping to transform her notorious past into a story of redemption. Delvey, whose real name is Anna Sorokin, performed with professional partner Ezra Sosa in the show’s season 33 premiere, marking her latest attempt at reinvention after serving prison time for grand larceny.

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba acknowledged Delvey’s controversial history but encouraged viewers to focus on the performance. "I’m not for or against what you’ve done, but this is about your dancing here. Let’s give her that space," Inaba said after Delvey’s routine to "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter.

Delvey, who became infamous for scamming New York’s elite, addressed her criminal past directly. "I served my time. 'Dancing With the Stars' is my chance to show people a different side of me," she said in her intro. The 32-year-old, portrayed by Julia Garner in the Netflix series, has been under house arrest since her release from ICE custody in 2022 but was granted permission to travel for the show.

Delvey’s performance earned her a score of 18 out of 30, placing her in the middle of the pack. Despite mixed feedback, she maintained her signature deadpan humor, saying, "I’m happy I don’t have to do this dance again."

Her journey from con artist to reality star was first covered in a viral 2018 New York Magazine article, which led to the hit Netflix series. Now, Delvey is attempting to reshape public perception through her ballroom performances. "I’ve reinvented myself many times. This time, I’m going to be a ballroom dancer," she remarked.

Whether she succeeds in this latest reinvention remains to be seen, but Delvey’s transformation proves that even infamy can be danced away—if only for a night.

Source: Entertainment Weekly