When the cast for season 33 of Dancing with the Stars dropped, one name didn't just raise eyebrows—it set the internet on fire. Anna Sorokin. You probably know her as Anna Delvey, the "fake heiress" who hoodwinked New York’s elite and inspired a massive Netflix hit.
Honestly, the sight of her walking into the ballroom was surreal. She wasn't just there with a pro partner; she was there with a bedazzled ankle monitor. Basically, it was the most chaotic casting choice in the show's history. Some fans were livid, calling for a total boycott, while others couldn't look away from the train wreck.
But was anna sorokin dancing with the stars actually about the dancing? Not really. It was a high-stakes attempt at a brand pivot that ended in one of the most awkward exits live TV has ever seen.
The Ankle Monitor Heard 'Round the World
Let's talk about that monitor. Because Sorokin was—and is—under house arrest while fighting deportation to Germany, she needed special ICE permission to even fly to Los Angeles.
She didn't try to hide the hardware. Instead, the DWTS costume department treated it like a high-fashion accessory. They literally bedazzled it to match her outfits. For her debut, she performed a Cha-cha-cha to "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter. Her partner, Ezra Sosa, was making his own debut as a pro, and he leaned into the controversy. He called the monitor the "real star of the show."
It was a bold move. Maybe too bold.
The judges were... well, they were "polite." Carrie Ann Inaba tried to be the voice of reason, asking the audience to give Sorokin a chance and judge her only on the dancing. But you could feel the tension through the screen. The scores weren't great. A trio of sixes left her near the bottom of the leaderboard.
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Why Everyone Was So Mad
The backlash wasn't just about her lack of rhythm. It was about the platform.
Many viewers felt like the show was rewarding a convicted felon. People like Joy Behar joked it should be renamed "Dancing with the Felons." On Reddit and X, the sentiment was even harsher. Longtime fans felt it was an insult to the "stars" who had worked their whole lives for a spot in the ballroom.
Sorokin didn't help her case much. Her vibe was "wooden" and "detached." While other contestants were crying over their "journey," Anna stayed cool, almost icy. It’s hard to win over a voting public when you look like you’d rather be anywhere else.
The Scores and the Struggle
- Week 1: Cha-cha-cha. Score: 18/30.
- Week 2: Quickstep to "Suddenly I See" from The Devil Wears Prada. Score: 17/30.
The Quickstep was actually a slight improvement in technique, but the damage was done. By the time the double elimination rolled around in the second week, the writing was on the wall.
The "Nothing" Exit Heard 'Round the World
If the casting was a fire, the exit was a nuclear blast.
When Julianne Hough asked Anna what she’d be taking away from the competition, most people expected a canned answer. Something about "friendship" or "hard work." Instead, Anna looked her dead in the eye and said one word:
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"Nothing."
The ballroom went silent. Julianne, a total pro, just laughed it off with a "there you have it!" but the internet exploded. Carrie Ann Inaba later admitted she was "taken aback" and felt it was dismissive of the whole production.
Behind the scenes, though, the story was a bit different. Ezra Sosa later revealed that Anna was actually crying in the bathroom before the cameras rolled. She was reading the comments. She knew people hated her. That "nothing" wasn't just arrogance; it was a shield. She felt rejected, so she rejected the show right back.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Stint
A lot of people think Anna was just "being Anna" and didn't care. But if you look at the interviews she did later, like on Tori Spelling's podcast, she was genuinely frustrated. She felt "used" for ratings.
"I feel that the show so obviously used me to drive up the ratings," she told NBC News in an email. She felt they never intended to let her grow or stay long. And honestly? She’s probably not wrong. DWTS thrives on "controversial" casting (remember Sean Spicer?), but those contestants rarely make it to the finale.
The "Nothing" comment became so iconic that Ezra Sosa actually got it tattooed on his arm. He clearly didn't take it personally, even though it was his first season as a pro.
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The Aftermath of the Ballroom
So, what actually happened after anna sorokin dancing with the stars?
She went back to her house arrest in New York. She continued her legal battles. She even showed up for the season finale, leaning into the "Nothing" meme one last time.
If you're looking for the "redemption arc" that many contestants find on the show, you won't find it here. Sorokin didn't leave as a beloved figure. She left as exactly who she was when she entered: a polarizing, complicated woman who knows how to keep people talking.
Key Takeaways from the Anna Sorokin Era
- The Power of the Pivot: You can't just "dance away" a reputation for fraud. The public's memory is longer than a 90-second routine.
- Authenticity Over Everything: Viewers of reality TV can smell a "forced" performance a mile away. Anna's lack of traditional "warmth" made it impossible for her to connect with the core DWTS audience.
- The Rating Game: Networks will always prioritize buzz over popularity. Even if people hated her being there, they were watching.
If you're following the legal side of things, keep an eye on her immigration status. The show was a blip in her much longer battle to stay in the U.S. While she didn't win a Mirrorball, she did prove one thing: she's still the best in the business at staying relevant.
For those looking to dive deeper into the world of high-profile PR stunts, start by analyzing how "villain" archetypes usually fare on competition shows. Often, the goal isn't to win the trophy, but to secure the next contract. Whether you love her or hate her, Anna Sorokin knows exactly how to play the game, even if she's doing it in four-inch heels and an ankle monitor.