Anna Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, has shared her thoughts on how her family dynamics were portrayed in Inventing Anna, acknowledging that her family was somewhat at a loss regarding her behavior. Delvey is the real-life inspiration behind Netflix’s recent drama miniseries, Inventing Anna.
This series draws from Jessica Pressler’s New York Times article, “How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People,” and delves into the actual events surrounding the notorious con artist. Directed by Shonda Rhimes as part of her 2017 agreement with Netflix, the show features performances by Julia Garner, Anna Chlumsky, Katie Lowes, and Jeff Perry.
The series centers around journalist Vivian Kent (Chlumsky) as she delves into the case of Delvey (Garner), a woman on trial for masquerading as a German billionaire heiress to swindle millions from New York’s high society.
Kent’s investigation aims to uncover the true narrative of Delvey and the circumstances that led to her charges and conviction for grand larceny and theft. This quest takes Kent to Germany, where she interviews Delvey’s family, who are not pleased with the scandal surrounding Delvey and her questionable actions. Now, Delvey herself is weighing in on the accuracy of Inventing Anna’s depiction of her family.
In a recent interview with Insider, Delvey acknowledged that the show accurately portrayed her family’s struggle to connect with her. Their relationship wasn’t characterized by animosity, but rather a significant disconnect due to their contrasting interests.
Delvey was captivated by fashion, media, and vibrant cities like New York and Paris, while her family were humble Russian immigrants residing in a small German town. Over time, she chose to stop updating her family about her whereabouts or activities. This decision brought her a sense of liberation, allowing her to pursue her own path without needing her family’s validation.
According to Anna Delvey, “I generally believe that my parents were somewhat unsure of how to handle my upbringing. We simply have different passions and interests. I often felt that they weren’t truly engaged in my daily life. There were times when they wouldn’t even know which country I was in. There were definitely moments when they were uncertain whether I was in Paris, Germany, or back in the States. I never really sought their approval. I was just focused on my own path. It was incredibly meaningful for me to venture out and do things independently. I never found myself sitting around wondering, What will my parents think about this?”
Delvey’s remarks not only shed light on the fidelity of Inventing Anna, but also reveal the factors that contributed to her notorious case. While Inventing Anna explores Delvey’s strained family relationships, the narrative delves even deeper. It wasn’t merely tension within her family; rather, it was a profound absence of connection and communication.
This lack of familial ties further clarifies how she became embroiled in a scamming scandal, as her family dynamics afforded her the freedom to pursue her desires. Being miles away from her family, who were unaware of her whereabouts, meant that Delvey faced no limitations on her actions.
Although Delvey has previously mentioned that she won’t be watching Inventing Anna, she is still actively involved with the series. Garner took the time to visit Delvey in prison while preparing for her role, and Delvey has been candid about discussing the show, it’s fidelity to her life, and her current circumstances.
Her insights into family dynamics suggest that the series is presenting a fairly accurate portrayal of her narrative. Garner, in particular, has shown a strong commitment to ensuring the show’s accuracy, working hard to capture Delvey’s accent, style, and overall story for Inventing Anna.
Given the sensitive nature of the subject and Delvey’s ongoing ICE custody, maintaining accuracy is crucial. Inventing Anna must not only leverage the drama but also uncover the genuine story and individual behind the Delvey case.
The series’ approach to accurately depicting family dynamics indicates that it is successfully revealing a different, more relatable, and human aspect of Delvey’s journey.