Convicted thief Anna Sorokin, who was released from ICE custody in 2022, inspired the hit Netflix show ‘Inventing Anna’
Whoopi Goldberg unloads on ABC for putting convicted con artist on ‘Dancing With the Stars’
‘The View’ co-host Whoopi Goldberg, along with her fellow co-hosts, expressed strong disapproval of ABC’s decision to feature Anna ‘Delvey’ Sorokin, a convicted felon, on ‘Dancing With the Stars.’
Whoopi Goldberg took a firm stand on her own network, ABC, regarding the decision to allow Anna ‘Delvey’ Sorokin, a convicted con artist, to participate in ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ Goldberg was visibly upset since Sorokin’s involvement required her to perform while wearing an ankle bracelet.
Goldberg voiced her concerns passionately: “I think about the families who have had their loved ones detained by ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], fighting to get them back. Meanwhile, this woman is approved to perform on television. Is there a dual system here with ICE?”
Anna Sorokin was released from federal custody in October 2022 after serving 17 months in prison. She has since been on house arrest. Sorokin is known for pretending to have a 60-million euro fortune, living a luxurious lifestyle in New York, which inspired the popular Netflix series ‘Inventing Anna.’
Goldberg further emphasized her confusion and dissatisfaction with Sorokin’s situation, comparing it to broader immigration issues. “I don’t understand why she gets to stay,” Goldberg noted, responding to co-host Joy Behar’s remark that it might be because Sorokin is “pretty.” Goldberg continued, “People are upset about what’s happening at the border, but how does this make any sense?”
Whoopi Goldberg emphasized that while supporting the network is important, featuring Sorokin on a popular show feels like a blow to many who are striving to return to the U.S. legally.
Attempts to contact ABC News for a comment on this matter went unanswered.
The rest of ‘The View’ co-hosts also shared their lack of enthusiasm for having Sorokin on the show.
Sunny Hostin, a co-host on ‘The View,’ pointed out the blatant discrepancies. “She defrauded numerous individuals and institutions, spent time in prison, overstayed her visa, committed another crime, and now, what is her consequence? An adorned ankle monitor and a spot on a TV show,” Hostin remarked.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, another co-host, warned contestants to be cautious around Sorokin. “She still owes people money, and con artists tend to stay con artists,” Griffin advised.
The hosts also criticized the Netflix series ‘Inventing Anna’ during a prior episode of ‘The View’ in 2023. Goldberg and Hostin were vocal about their disapproval of Sorokin’s release from ICE custody.
Hostin commented on how Sorokin’s appearance and other factors might have contributed to her current situation. “I find it fascinating that she received $300,000 from Netflix for that series,” Hostin said.
