Anna ‘Delvey’ Sorokin, the notorious figure convicted of grand larceny and immortalized in Netflix’s “Inventing Anna”, made a dramatic debut on the season 33 premiere of “Dancing with the Stars”.
With her signature flair for the unexpected, Sorokin took the stage wearing a sequined, bedazzled ankle monitor—a stark reminder of her legal history—as she danced the ChaCha with pro dancer Ezra Sosa to Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Espresso.”
Before her performance, Anna expressed her hopes for a fresh start. “I hope everybody that feels negatively about me will be able to turn their opinion of me around,” she said in a candid moment. Now 33, and after serving time for grand larceny, she referred to herself as a “New York-based fashionista” and stated that she’s ready to reinvent herself once more, this time as a ballroom dancer.
While Sorokin’s criminal past continues to follow her—she overstayed her visa due to her time in jail—she’s using *Dancing with the Stars* as an opportunity to show a new side. “My prior history shows I’m pretty determined. It’s a good quality to channel into something positive,” she said.
Her performance received mixed reactions from the judges. Carrie Ann Inaba, 56, encouraged viewers to focus on Sorokin’s dancing, saying, “Let’s all just give this a chance… This is about your dancing here.” The judges awarded Anna a score of 18 out of 30, leaving room for improvement as the competition progresses.
The star-studded cast of season 33 brought together a wide range of talent. From former NFL player Danny Amendola to “Real Housewives” star Phaedra Parks, and “90210” actress Tori Spelling, the contestants all vied for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Joey Graziadei of *The Bachelor* led the night with an enthusiastic country-themed routine, scoring a solid 21 out of 30. Meanwhile, Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik also impressed the judges, earning a 21 after a high-energy jive.
Other notable performances included NBA star Dwight Howard, who danced the salsa with pro Daniella Karagach, towering over her with his 6’11” frame but still managing to wow the audience. The chemistry between the two earned them a standing ovation and a score of 22. “Pretty Little Liars” actress Chandler Kinney also stood out, with a tango that earned her a 23 out of 30, putting her at the top of the leaderboard.
However, it wasn’t all high scores. Actor Eric Roberts, at 68, struggled through his ChaCha, landing at the bottom with just 15 out of 30 points. Despite the setback, Roberts expressed gratitude for finally being able to participate in the show after being a longtime fan.
Anna Sorokin’s debut was one of the more talked-about moments of the night, as she continues her attempt to transition from infamous con artist to a reformed public figure. Whether audiences and judges will embrace this reinvention remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—*Dancing with the Stars* season 33 is off to a flashy and unpredictable start.
