Anna Sorokin Axed in Opening Round of ‘Dancing With the Stars’

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anna Sorokin, the infamous con artist who deceived banks, hotels, and acquaintances by pretending to be a wealthy “heiress” named Anna Delvey, has concluded her stint on “Dancing With the Stars.”

Released from prison in February 2021, Sorokin’s freedom was short-lived as immigration authorities apprehended her, claiming she had overstayed her visa and must be deported back to Germany. Known for inspiring the series “Inventing Anna,” Sorokin spent over a year in ICE custody before a judge allowed her to transition to home confinement in October 2022 while she fights her deportation case.

As a contentious contestant on the popular reality competition, Sorokin made headlines not just for her controversial background but also for performing while wearing an ankle monitor. Dubbed the “notorious ankle bracelet fashionista,” the monitor was customized to match her costumes, and she described it as “not a big issue at all,” thanks to its light weight and snug fit.

During her elimination performance on Tuesday, where she danced to “Suddenly I See” by KT Tunstall alongside pro dancer Ezra Sosa, viewers voted her off the show. Discussing her experience in an interview on “Good Morning America,” Sorokin quipped that her favorite part was “getting eliminated.” When asked by the show’s hosts what she learned from the competition, she candidly replied, “Nothing.”

Following her elimination, the show’s episode also saw Tori Spelling, the star of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” being cut from the competition. After her departure with partner Pasha Pashkov, Spelling described her time on the show as a “crazy transformational journey.” She expressed gratitude for facing her fears while taking pride in the support from her children, who cheered her on from the audience.

“I just kept looking at my kids and I wanted them to know that no matter the outcome, ‘I love you and thank you for being proud of me,’” Spelling shared. “It’s a fast-paced experience, and it can be overwhelming, but it’s also really scary.”

While it remains uncertain whether there have been any changes to the terms of Sorokin’s house arrest for filming the show in Los Angeles, the future of her protracted deportation case is also unclear.