The Netflix series Inventing Anna was a thrilling watch. The riveting series, which premiered in February 2022, peaked at 196 million watch hours within days of its release. Inventing Anna follows the story of Anna “Delvey” Sorokin, an audacious and ambition-driven con artist who defrauded friends, banks, hotels, and major financial institutions of over $200,000 between 2013 and 2017. Sorokin achieved this feat by pretending to be Anna Delvey, a German heiress with a massive trust fund.
Sorokin's escapades were made into mini-series after Shonda Rhimes took interest in the story, making it the producer's first show in a decade. Prominent characters including Rachael Williams, Katy Duke, and Neffy Davis, who were acquainted with the 31-year-old and conned, were featured in the limited series. Here is how the real people depicted in Inventing Anna felt about the show.
8 Rachel DeLoache Williams Despised Inventing Anna's Narrative
Rachel DeLoache Williams was Anna Sorokin's friend and her character was portrayed by Katie Lowes. The former Vanity Fair photographer has referred to the show as deceptive and misleading with its portrayal of her character as shallow, manipulative, materialistic, and snobbish.
Williams condemned the narrative that her achievements are due to the con artist's influence and called out Netflix for making her into a joke despite being the victim.
7 Rachel DeLoache Williams Is Suing Netflix
Rachel Williams is suing Netflix for defamation. The photographer alleged that she had been the subject of several online and in-person abuse as well as 'pejorative characterizations' in podcasts since Inventing Anna aired.
Williams claimed that her details were not protected, unlike other real characters, Williams was not given a fictional name in the mini-series and crucial details about her life, such as her educational background, employer, and neighborhood were not re-invented.
6 Anna Delvey Thinks Her Fictional Character Is More Brazen
Anna Delvey was portrayed by Julia Garner in the Netflix mini-series. The convicted fraudster watched part of the series while in ICE custody for overstaying the validity of her visa in the US. Anna applauded Julia Garner’s bizarre accent, but the con artist remarked that her character was made to be more presumptuous than she is.
"I think I’m more self-aware of the way I come across, not all of the time, but I just don’t think that I’m so brazen and shameless," she said over the video chat with Cosmopolitan.
5 Kacy Duke Disagreed With The Portrayal Of Rachel Williams
One of Anna Sorokin's stunts as Anna Delvey involved her hiring celebrity fitness expert and life coach Kacy Duke as her personal trainer. Duke, who doubled as Sorokin's confidante, opined that Rachel's character was demonized.
Duke highlighted that Rachel did not deserve to be painted in a negative light because she was a victim. The fitness expert, however, wished that Rachel opened up to her about getting deals for a book and TV show when she had supported the photographer in court.
4 Kacy Duke Was Delighted To Have Her Story Told
The fitness expert was elated at the opportunity to share her story with the world. The real-life drama was not a pleasant experience, but the 66-year-old fitness expert thought it was a blessing to work with Shonda Rhimes and Laverne Cox.
Speaking with an ET correspondent, the celebrity fitness expert expressed how the drama brought back memories. Although the series didn’t capture several real-life moments, Duke was glad that the world got to hear it regardless.
3 Jessica Pressler Thought Some Scenes Were Exaggerated
Jessica Pressler, the journalist who investigated the Anna Delvey Sorokin saga was played by Anna Chlumsky. After the show aired, the New York reporter fact-checked the veracity of certain claims made on Inventing Anna.
Pressler revealed that some parts of the movie never happened, at least not in the way they were projected. "Vivian is like an all-caps angry email of me, but there are things that are very real mixed into it," she said to Vulture.
2 Kacy Duke Loved Laverne Cox’s Portrayal Of Her Character
Kacy Duke had nothing but praises for Laverne Cox for her marvelous portrayal of her character. The fitness expert spoke to Radio Andy about who she had initially thought would be the best fit for her character, but Duke was equally elated when she heard that Laverne Cox would be cast in the role.
After the series premiered, Duke sent Laverne a beautiful message that eased the actress’s anxiety. "Congratulations. Laverne is killing it,” the message read.
1 Neff Davis Had No Complaints
Neff Davis, played by Alexis Floyd, met Anna Delvey while working as a concierge at the 11 Howard Hotel. Davis and Delvey struck an unusual friendship that tipped the scales in the former's favor.
Davis benefited from Inventing Anna; she was enlisted as a consultant for the show with the opportunity to shadow movie directors for her filmmaking career. Davis revealed that although some truths were distorted, she has no complaints about anything.
