Real-life ‘Inventing Anna’ gives savage response as she’s set to compete in reality TV show despite ankle tag

Convicted criminal Anna Delvey, who was the subject of the Netflix series Inventing Anna, will be competing on Dancing with the Stars later this month.

Delvey, born Anna Sorokin, posed as a German heiress and committed larceny, while scamming New York's elites out of thousands of dollars, alongside defrauding institutions, banks, hotels and acquaintances. She was arrested in 2017, spent four years in prison and a further 18 months in an immigration centre after she overstayed her visa in the United States.

As of 17 September, Delvey will appear on American reality show Dancing with the Stars, having being paired up with pro dancer, Ezra Sosa.

Despite Delvey being on house arrest in Manhattan since 2022, she is allowed to star in the upcoming competition, which is filmed in Los Angeles.

She told the Hollywood Reporter: "I kind of got talked into doing this. I got the permission from ICE and then it was kind of too late to back out."

A spokesperson for Delvey, Juda Engelmayer, confirmed to Associated Press that her client could 'travel within 70 miles of her home base and anywhere in the five boroughs of New York City under previous house arrest conditions.'

When pressed by the Hollywood Reporter on what it would be like to compete with an ankle monitor, she said: "In what way would it affect my performance? It’s actually pretty light,” before adding that she aims 'to have some fun and maybe get in a little workout.'

Delvey served four years in prison for her crimes (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

To tease Delvey's involvement in the show, Dancing with the Stars referred to her as a 'notorious ankle bracelet fashionista' in a press release.

Delvey told Entertainment Tonight in a recent interview: "I mean what’s the worst that could happen? They’re not going to arrest me for dancing badly.”

Since being released from prison in 2022, Delvey has tipped her toe into reality TV once before.

Appearing on The Anonymous, during which 12 contestants live together and compete for a prize up of to $100,000, Delvey made quips about her past.

In a promo video, she said while showing her ankle device: "I might know a thing or two about deception. Never be afraid to dress up your look - or the truth. Trust me, I'd never lie to you."

Dancing with the Stars begins on 17 September (Instagram/@dancingwiththestars)

She continued: "Gaslighting can be a great way to get ahead.

"Not that I've ever done it. Is it emotionally manipulative? Of course!"

Delvey shot to fame following the release of Inventing Anna, the Netflix retelling of her almost unbelievable experiences, downfall and eventual arrest.

In promotional photos for Dancing with the Stars, Delvey is pictured in a pair of heels, a glitzy gold mini dress, and wearing the infamous ankle monitor.