Anna “Delvey” Sorokin, the notorious con artist who swindled $275,000 from financial institutions, hotels, and individuals, has sparked outrage by participating in the 2024 season of Dancing with the Stars. This decision has started a heated debate across social media: should a convicted felon be granted spotlight on a popular television show?
Sorokin, who disguised as a German heiress, was previously convicted on eight counts of fraud and grand larceny. After serving four years in prison, she was released on parole in February 2021. However, she claims she’s eager to reshape her image. “I’d love to be given an opportunity for people not to just dismiss me as a quote-unquote scammer,” she said in an interview with NBC News.
With permission from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Sorokin made her highly publicized debut on the thirty-third season of Dancing with the Stars on September 17, 2024. But after being eliminated in the second round, her perspective shifted dramatically.
Ironically enough, she alleges that she was merely exploited for ratings, claiming that the show used her notoriety to remain relevant. While some argue she’s received unfair treatment from the government and is in no place to be pitied, her dance partner, Ezra Sosa, believes participating on the show caused her great emotional distress.
Sorokin’s role on Dancing with the Stars goes beyond just social media drama; it pushes us to think about bigger issues in society. This controversy raises essential conversations about governmental authenticity, the media’s exploitative tendencies, and the seriousness with which we treat cases similar to Sorokin’s.
Ultimately, Sorokin’s appearance on Dancing with the Stars serves as a focal point for a broader societal debate about redemption, media responsibility, and the moral stipulations of granting a platform to convicted felons. While some view her participation as an opportunity for reinvention, others see it as a troubling endorsement of her actions and a reminder of the complexities surrounding crime and punishment. As shock value in the media becomes a necessity to gain attention, Sorokin’s controversy sparks questions on if it is possible to allow felons to move past their crimes without glorifying their actions.
