Anna Sorokin, aka “Anna Delvey,” joins Dancing With the Stars Season 33, competing while under house arrest. Please find out how her ankle bracelet adds to the drama!

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Anna Sorokin

In a twist few saw coming, Anna Sorokin, the woman infamous for pretending to be a German heiress under the name “Anna Delvey,” will be competing in the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS).

The announcement, made on Good Morning America this week, has stirred up significant buzz as Sorokin steps back into the limelight, this time for something more glamorous — and legally complex.

Despite being under house arrest following her 2019 conviction for swindling banks, hotels, and high-society acquaintances, Sorokin is ready to swap court appearances for dance rehearsals.

Set to compete in DWTS’ 33rd season, Sorokin joins a star-studded lineup that includes former NBA champion Dwight Howard and Beverly Hills 90210 actress Tori Spelling.

However, there is a twist: Sorokin is more than just competing. She is doing it all while wearing an ankle monitor.

Yes, the same piece of hardware that’s kept her in check since 2022 will now appear unexpectedly on the ballroom floor.

Moreover, DWTS is leaning into it, with promo images showing Sorokin dressed in sparkling ballroom attire — complete with the now-iconic ankle bracelet.

From Prison to the Dance Floor

Sorokin’s journey to the DWTS stage has been anything but ordinary.

In February 2021, she was released from prison after serving time for her high-profile scams, which inspired the Netflix hit Inventing Anna.

However, freedom was short-lived. Soon after, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) picked her up, citing that she had overstayed her visa and was to be deported to Germany.

For more than a year, Sorokin fought her case while in ICE custody until a judge allowed her to transition to house arrest in October 2022.

Since then, she has been confined to her New York City apartment, plotting her next move — apparently, that move was dance.

The big question on everyone’s mind is: How will she film in Los Angeles under house arrest?

Sorokin’s spokesperson confirmed that while under house arrest, she can travel within a 70-mile radius of her home, but there is no official word yet on whether she will be granted permission to head out to the West Coast.

“It is going to be one step at a time—literally,” her rep said, laughing off the legal complexities.

A Cast Like No Other

Sorokin will not be the only big name on the dance floor this season. A diverse range of celebrities, from professional athletes to reality TV icons, will join her.

Former Bachelor star Joey Graziadei will also shake it up alongside Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and Pretty Little Liars star Chandler Kinney.

Sorokin’s partner for the season is Ezra Sosa, a veteran of the DWTS troupe, who is being promoted to “pro” status this year.

“I am excited,” said Sosa in a statement. “I am ready to bring some glamour and drama to the dance floor with Anna.”

The pair will compete for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy against former Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks.

This eclectic lineup makes the upcoming season one of the most unpredictable yet.

Can a Scammer Tango?

Sorokin’s casting is even more intriguing because DWTS is her first mainstream appearance since becoming a household name for all the wrong reasons.

Unlike other DWTS contestants, who typically have a reputation for acting, singing, or playing sports, Sorokin made her mark by deceiving Manhattan’s elite.

However, it seems Sorokin is ready to leave that chapter behind — or at least try.

In a brief interview, she told Good Morning America, “I am looking forward to showing people that I am more than my past. “

“And maybe even learning a few dance moves along the way.”

The ankle bracelet, of course, will remain, becoming a permanent accessory on the dance floor.

“We will figure out how to make it work,” said her pro partner Sosa. “It is all part of the challenge — and I am here for it.”

Sorokin’s Legal Tango Continues

Sorokin’s participation in DWTS does not change the fact that she is still fighting deportation.

Immigration authorities have not yet commented on whether her house arrest conditions will be adjusted to allow her to travel for filming.

In the meantime, Sorokin remains grounded in New York, still barred from using social media as part of her legal agreement.

However, she has found other ways to stay in the public eye, including launching her podcast, The Anna Delvey Show, where she interviews high-profile guests in the confines of her apartment.

The upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars may serve as a crucial rebranding moment for Sorokin, who has stated in past interviews that she is eager to rebuild her life post-scandal.

“So many people became famous for bad things,” she said in a 2023 interview. “Why not me?”

DWTS: The Season to Watch

The 33rd season of DWTS kicks off on September 17 and will air on ABC and Disney+.

Hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, the competition will feature 13 celebrity contestants battling it out in a series of dance-offs.

This season promises to be packed with excitement and drama and — thanks to Sorokin — a little legal intrigue.

While it is still uncertain whether Sorokin will be allowed to travel to LA for rehearsals and live performances, one thing is certain: This season of Dancing With the Stars will be unlike any other.

With a notorious “heiress” on the roster, viewers will be watching for the dance moves and the drama off the dance floor.

The entire Celebrity Cast for Dancing With the Stars Season 33

Danny Amendola – Former Super Bowl Champion
Anna Sorokin – Convicted Scammer and Inventing Anna Inspiration
Joey Graziadei – Star of The Bachelor
Dwight Howard – NBA Champion
Chandler Kinney – Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Star
Ilona Maher – Olympic Rugby Player
Brooks Nader – Model
Stephen Nedoroscik – Olympic Gymnast
Phaedra Parks – Attorney and Real Housewives Star
Eric Roberts – Actor, Brother of Julia Roberts
Tori Spelling – Beverly Hills 90210 Actress
Jenn Tran – Star of The Bachelorette
Reginald VelJohnson – Actor from Family Matters and Die Hard

With such an eclectic lineup, viewers are guaranteed an entertaining and unpredictable season.

Whether Anna Sorokin’s scandalous past will help or hurt her chances remains to be seen, but one thing is sure: This will be the most talked-about season of DWTS yet.