The entertainment world is no stranger to controversy, but when a figure like Anna Sorokin—better known by her alias Anna Delvey—enters a high-profile competition like Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), the public response is anything but indifferent. Sorokin, a convicted con artist infamous for scamming her way into New York City’s elite social circles by posing as a wealthy German heiress, is now competing for a potential grand prize on the popular dance show. While her appearance has shocked viewers and reignited discussions about her criminal past, one big question looms: How much money could she make if she wins?
Anna Sorokin made her highly anticipated debut on Dancing with the Stars in September 2024. Paired with professional dancer Ezra Sosa, she hit the stage performing a sizzling Cha Cha routine to Sabrina Carpenter’s hit song “Espresso.” The dance captivated the audience, but it was her mere presence on the show that stirred up the most chatter online.
Many fans of the show were outraged by her inclusion, venting their frustration on social media. Comments like “She’s not a celeb, she’s a con artist” and “There should be a rule against controversial contestants” flooded Twitter and Instagram as viewers expressed their shock that Sorokin was allowed to compete on such a high-profile stage. Some even questioned how someone convicted of swindling $275,000 from victims could be allowed to compete on a beloved show like DWTS.
However, despite the controversy surrounding her, Sorokin remains in the competition, ready to showcase her dance skills and earn a substantial paycheck.
The financial potential for Sorokin, should she advance in Dancing with the Stars, is considerable. While it may seem surprising, participants on the show receive sizable paychecks for their time on the show, regardless of how far they make it in the competition. Here’s a breakdown of how much Sorokin—and other contestants—can expect to earn:
- Base Salary: All contestants on DWTS reportedly earn a base salary of $125,000 for their participation during the rehearsal period and the first two weeks of the competition. This means that Sorokin is guaranteed to walk away with six figures, even if she’s eliminated early on.
- Episode Bonuses: Should Sorokin make it past week two, the pay structure becomes tiered. According to reports from Variety, contestants who make it to week three and beyond receive additional bonuses for each week they stay in the competition. In 2010, the payment structure was as follows:
- Weeks 3 and 4: $10,000 per episode
- Weeks 5 and 6: $20,000 per episode
- Weeks 7 and 8: $30,000 per episode
- Final two weeks: $50,000 per episode
- Total Maximum Earnings: The maximum a contestant can earn by making it to the final two weeks is $295,000. For Sorokin, who already has a guaranteed $125,000, the potential to add another $170,000 makes Dancing with the Stars a lucrative opportunity—especially if she wins the competition.
To understand the uproar over Sorokin’s appearance on DWTS, it’s essential to revisit her background. Born in Russia in 1991, Anna Sorokin moved to Germany with her family as a teenager. However, her life took a notorious turn when she relocated to New York City and began posing as a wealthy German heiress under the name Anna Delvey.
For several years, Sorokin lived a life of luxury, rubbing shoulders with New York’s elite, staying in high-end hotels, dining at exclusive restaurants, and hosting lavish parties. She led everyone to believe she was a millionaire heiress with plans to open an exclusive art club in Manhattan, but it was all an elaborate scam.
Sorokin defrauded hotels, banks, friends, and businesses out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. She lived rent-free in luxury hotels, convinced friends to cover expensive vacations, and attempted to secure a $22 million loan to fund her imaginary art club. Her scheme eventually unraveled when authorities discovered that she was not the wealthy heiress she claimed to be but the daughter of a Russian truck driver.
In 2019, Sorokin was convicted of grand larceny, theft of services, and other charges, resulting in a 15-year prison sentence. She was ordered to repay her victims and serve time for her crimes. However, her story didn’t end there.
Sorokin’s criminal exploits might have faded into obscurity, but her story gained renewed attention thanks to Netflix. In 2022, the streaming giant released Inventing Anna, a miniseries produced by Shonda Rhimes, which detailed Sorokin’s rise and fall. Based on a New York Magazine article by Jessica Pressler titled “How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People,” the show was a smash hit, further propelling Sorokin into the public eye.
The series painted Sorokin as both a con artist and a misunderstood anti-hero, which divided public opinion. Some viewers were fascinated by her ability to deceive so many people and live a glamorous lifestyle. Others condemned her actions and believed she should face more severe consequences for her crimes.
Regardless of how people felt about her, Inventing Anna transformed Sorokin from a disgraced con artist into a media sensation. Her story became a symbol of greed, deception, and the lengths some will go to achieve fame and fortune.
While Sorokin’s criminal past is well-documented, her participation on Dancing with the Stars has sparked a fresh wave of outrage. Many viewers believe that allowing someone convicted of such high-profile crimes to compete on a beloved TV show sends the wrong message. Critics argue that Sorokin should not be rewarded with fame and money for her crimes, particularly when her victims have yet to see full restitution.
Fans have taken to social media to express their displeasure, with some questioning the decision to cast Sorokin in the first place. “She defrauded people out of $275,000, and now she’s going to make even more money from a TV show?” one viewer tweeted. Others have pointed out the irony that Sorokin, who pretended to be wealthy for years, is now in a position to make legitimate money from her newfound fame.
One pressing question that has emerged is whether Sorokin will use any of her earnings from Dancing with the Stars to repay the money she owes to her victims. After her conviction, Sorokin was ordered to pay restitution to the hotels, banks, and individuals she defrauded, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, it’s unclear whether she has fully repaid those debts.
In 2021, reports surfaced that Sorokin used a portion of the $320,000 she earned from her Netflix deal for Inventing Anna to pay restitution to her victims and cover legal fees. However, many believe she still owes a significant amount of money.
If Sorokin is successful on DWTS, her potential earnings could help pay off the remaining debts, but whether she chooses to do so remains to be seen.
Dancing with the Stars may be just the beginning of Sorokin’s foray into the media industry. Despite the backlash she has faced, her notoriety has made her a sought-after figure in pop culture. Some believe that her participation on the show is a calculated move to rebrand herself as a media personality rather than a convicted con artist.
In interviews, Sorokin has expressed interest in pursuing a career in media, and her appearance on DWTS could open doors to other opportunities in television, film, or even fashion. As controversial as she may be, Sorokin’s story continues to captivate the public’s attention, and it’s clear that she intends to leverage her infamy for financial gain.
If Anna Sorokin makes it to the finals of Dancing with the Stars, she could walk away with nearly $300,000 in earnings—an impressive payday for someone who, just a few years ago, was behind bars for fraud. While her participation in the show has sparked intense debate, it’s clear that Sorokin is determined to make the most of her newfound fame.
The real question remains: will Sorokin use her earnings to repay her victims, or will she continue to capitalize on her controversial persona for personal gain? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Anna Sorokin’s story is far from over.
