9-6-2023 (NEW YORK) Anna Sorokin, known as the faux German heiress Anna Delvey, is making the most of her time under house arrest in a perilous New York apartment building by starting her own podcast. Seeking to reshape her public image and distance herself from her past as a con artist and scammer, Sorokin aims to explore the theme of “productive rule-breaking” in her podcast, aptly titled The Anna Delvey Show. With limited freedom to leave her residence, Sorokin is determined to captivate audiences with her unique perspective.
Sorokin’s story gained notoriety when she posed as a wealthy German heiress, falsely claiming to have a $67 million trust fund, to obtain loans and live a lavish lifestyle. She also managed to secure a historic building for a private arts club by deceiving others into believing she had influential connections. However, her fraudulent activities came to an end when she was arrested in late 2017 and subsequently convicted in 2019 on charges of larceny and theft. She was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison but was released after serving three years, with her release conditioned on home confinement pending a deportation hearing.
While Sorokin’s criminal activities inspired the Emmy-nominated Netflix series Inventing Anna, she claims to have had limited control over the final product despite her role as a consultant. Recognizing the opportunity to share her side of the story, Sorokin intends to use her podcast to regain control over the narrative surrounding her life. The series will feature conversations with notable guests such as Emily Ratajkowski, Julia Fox, Martin Shkreli (also known as “Pharma Bro”), and Ottessa Moshfegh, offering listeners a unique perspective on her experiences.
During her time in jail, Sorokin’s following grew, culminating in a “Free Anna Delvey” art show showcasing her drawings and works by other artists. Attempting to leverage her newfound fame, Sorokin has even tried selling pencil drawings for exorbitant prices. However, the podcast provides her with an opportunity to regain some autonomy and shape her own story, a desire she had while incarcerated but was unable to fulfill due to logistical constraints.
Sorokin reflects on her transformative experience in prison, acknowledging the changes she has undergone since her arrest in 2017. Emphasizing personal growth and the lessons learned, she expresses her intention to learn from her mistakes and move forward. While she recognizes that her past actions were fraudulent, she also highlights the inconsistencies and questionable elements depicted in the Inventing Anna series, which she attributes to the creative interpretation of its creator, Shonda Rhimes.
As Sorokin’s podcast gains momentum, she remains optimistic about the caliber of guests she can attract due to her notoriety. However, she admits that certain figures, such as Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos, and George Santos, a New York Republican charged with fraud and other crimes, may not be accessible to her. Nonetheless, Sorokin’s ambition and confidence in her ability to captivate audiences set the stage for an intriguing podcast experience.
The Anna Delvey Show is now available on all major podcast platforms, and Sorokin eagerly awaits the response to her attempt to reinvent herself and present her side of the story.
