Anna Sorokin, better known by her alias Anna Delvey, has become a household name—first for swindling banks, hotels, and high society, and now for her remarkable ability to stay relevant in the media. Even after being convicted of grand larceny and theft of services in 2019, Sorokin's story refuses to fade. In fact, her name is trending again as she embarks on her latest venture: competing in the popular show Dancing with the Stars.
Sorokin has turned what could have been a forgotten scandal into a masterclass in public relations. Her audacity, charisma, and media-savvy approach have kept her in the public eye, demonstrating how even those with tarnished reputations can navigate PR to their advantage.
The PR Power Moves of Anna Sorokin
1. Owning the Narrative
From the very beginning, Sorokin has been able to manipulate public perception by crafting a compelling narrative around herself. She didn’t just con New York’s elite; she did it with flair, convincing many that she was a wealthy German heiress with big dreams. But her PR brilliance came after her arrest. Sorokin transformed from a common criminal into a complex anti-hero—part fraudster, part misunderstood dreamer. This balancing act keeps people fascinated.
Post-trial, instead of retreating from the spotlight, Sorokin doubled down on her newfound fame. She positioned herself as an outsider who gamed a system that already caters to the rich and powerful. This reframing of her story from villain to someone who was “just playing by the rules of the game” has helped her win public curiosity, if not sympathy.
2. Leveraging Social Media
Sorokin's Instagram account is a masterclass in image curation. Despite her legal troubles, she continues to post as if she were still living the high life. From glamorous shots to tongue-in-cheek captions, Sorokin uses Instagram to maintain her "heiress" persona, albeit with a dash of irony. Her posts often hint at self-awareness, as though she knows she’s playing a role. This savvy use of social media keeps her in control of the narrative and reminds followers of her ongoing relevance.
Social media has allowed her to maintain a connection with her audience, offering her a platform to share her side of the story without any filter. It’s a PR tool she uses to stay not only in the news cycle but also in the public’s imagination.
3. The Netflix Effect
The release of the Netflix series Inventing Anna in 2022 catapulted Sorokin back into the limelight. The dramatized version of her life attracted renewed attention, and rather than shy away from it, Sorokin embraced the moment. She capitalized on the series by engaging in interviews and discussing how she was portrayed. By doing so, she reminded the public that she is not just a passive subject of media portrayal but an active participant in her ongoing saga.
It was a PR masterstroke. Rather than being a victim of a one-sided narrative, Sorokin used the buzz from Inventing Anna to extend her relevance beyond just the courtroom drama, appealing to a new generation fascinated by her larger-than-life persona.
4. Joining Dancing with the Stars
In what might be her boldest move yet, Sorokin is reportedly set to compete on Dancing with the Stars, a reality TV staple. For Sorokin, this is more than just a chance to showcase her moves—it's a calculated PR strategy. Dancing with the Stars is a platform where celebrities often attempt to rehab their image, and Sorokin seems eager to join that club. Competing on the show allows her to reach new audiences, and who knows—perhaps she can win over viewers with her charisma and dancing skills.
This move follows a well-worn path of media-savvy individuals leveraging reality TV to keep themselves relevant. The dance floor will give Sorokin a chance to humanize herself, offering a counterpoint to her carefully constructed “heiress” persona.
The Takeaway: A Masterclass in Reputation Management
Anna Sorokin’s ability to keep herself in the public eye is no accident. She’s crafted a multi-layered PR strategy that plays on public fascination with wealth, deception, and redemption. By consistently owning her narrative, leveraging social media, embracing media portrayals, and branching into new arenas like reality TV, Sorokin has remained in the spotlight long after her conviction.
Her story is a testament to how media and public relations can shape, distort, and even enhance a person’s image. Sorokin may have built her fame on fraud, but her continued relevance is a testament to her savvy understanding of modern celebrity culture. Whether she is remembered as a notorious con artist or a misunderstood socialite, one thing is certain—Anna Sorokin is a name that isn’t going away anytime soon.
WHAT IS ANNA’S NEXT MOVE?
Predicting Anna Sorokin's next move is like trying to anticipate the latest twist in a gripping drama—she thrives on surprise and reinvention. Given her history of leveraging public curiosity and media attention, Sorokin is likely to continue exploiting the fine line between infamy and fame. Here are some possible directions for her next move:
1. Expanding into Reality TV and Entertainment
Following her upcoming stint on Dancing with the Stars, Sorokin may look to further embed herself in the entertainment industry. Reality TV, talk shows, and even documentaries offer her opportunities to maintain visibility and profit from her story. She could potentially ink deals for a tell-all documentary or even launch her own reality show chronicling her life post-conviction.
Sorokin has shown that she can capitalize on the public's fascination with her, and more screen time would only solidify her transformation into a pop culture figure. Leveraging her socialite persona in other shows like The Real Housewives could be another bold step.
2. A Personal Brand or Product Line
Sorokin has always been an image-focused figure, and branding herself could be a logical next step. We might see her launch a fashion line, leveraging her once-believed high-society connections, or release lifestyle products that capitalize on her notorious reputation.
It's not hard to imagine a line of luxury goods marketed with a tongue-in-cheek nod to her past—a luxury brand playing on the idea of exclusivity and deception, something like "Delvey" branded handbags, cosmetics, or even a home goods collection.
3. Public Speaking and Podcasting
Public speaking gigs about her experiences, the failures of the legal and financial systems, or even her views on wealth and privilege could be on the horizon. She could spin her story as a cautionary tale or a critique of how society glamorizes wealth, blending her past transgressions with her media savvy to offer a compelling narrative. She would not be the first to do this PR move. Jordan Belfort, known as The Wolf Of Walt Street had a great come back strategy that eventually positioned him as one of the most influential motivational speakers.
Given the explosion of true crime podcasts, Sorokin is already hosting the podcast "The Anna Delvey Show”where she approaches diferent topics, with various invitees.
4. Authoring a Memoir
A memoir or a book deal would be a predictable yet highly lucrative move for Sorokin. With the continued public fascination around her life, there would undoubtedly be an appetite for a first-person account of her rise, fall, and future plans.
Her memoir could delve into her psychological motivations, the thrill of conning New York’s elite, and her thoughts on how society views wealth and status. Such a project would give her the chance to reshape her public persona further, presenting herself as a misunderstood genius or a victim of societal excess.
5. Advocating for Prison Reform or Other Social Causes
In a more unexpected turn, Sorokin might pivot toward activism, particularly around prison reform, immigrant rights (since her legal troubles include deportation battles), or financial crime regulations. By aligning herself with a cause, she could continue to manipulate her public image while contributing to issues that resonate with her personal experience.
A philanthropic angle would allow Sorokin to craft a narrative of personal growth and redemption, positioning her as someone who learned from her past and is now working to improve the system.
6. Legal Battles and Public Drama
Finally, legal drama continues to be an inevitable part of her story. She’s still facing deportation issues, and any developments in her immigration status could spark public interest. A dramatic courtroom saga where she fights to stay in the U.S. could be another way for her to command attention, using her legal battles as a spectacle to keep herself in the headlines.