Anna “Delvey” Sorokin has reported receiving hundreds of death threats following a controversial photo shoot featuring rabbits in New York City. The infamous figure, who gained notoriety for defrauding financial institutions and friends, posed with three bunnies in the upscale Tribeca neighborhood on August 3, 2023. Days later, the rabbits were found abandoned in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, igniting a fierce backlash online.
Sorokin, who has a significant social media presence with over 1.1 million followers on Instagram, expressed shock at the intensity of the public’s reaction. “It just seems to me like everything I do is just wrong,” she stated, highlighting the emotional toll the incident has taken on her.
The backlash intensified when social media users linked the rabbits to Sorokin’s photo shoot. One Facebook post in a public group dedicated to rabbit rescue featured images of the rabbits in the park, which led to a flood of messages directed at Sorokin. She shared screenshots of the hateful messages she received, with some suggesting extreme violence against her. “It seems like a lot of these people, just because they’re engaged in animal rescue, they feel like they’re entitled to insult you,” she added.
Details of the Photo Shoot and Aftermath
The photo shoot was arranged after Sorokin sought a pet rabbit from her followers. Christian Batty, a 19-year-old hairstylist who briefly met Sorokin last year, responded and provided the rabbits. Sorokin mentioned that she compensated him for the rabbits and their transportation, believing they would be returned safely. However, a screenshot of an Uber receipt indicated that the drop-off location was near Prospect Park, where the rabbits were later discovered.
Initially, Batty denied abandoning the rabbits, but later admitted to doing so in a statement on his now-deleted Instagram account. “When I realised the rabbits were being surrendered to me, I panicked,” he stated, explaining his lack of experience in caring for animals. He absolved Sorokin of any responsibility, stating that he made a poor decision out of fear and inexperience.
Sorokin challenged the notion that Batty’s age should excuse his actions, arguing, “He’s old enough to move to New York and live on his own. He should have enough common sense to handle rabbits.”
As the controversy unfolded, Sorokin expressed concern about how this incident might affect her pending immigration case. In April 2019, she was convicted on multiple counts of theft and grand larceny after defrauding banks and acquaintances of tens of thousands of dollars. Following her release on parole in 2021, she has been fighting deportation while under strict surveillance, including wearing an electronic ankle monitor.
Public Response and Donations
In light of the negative attention, Sorokin disclosed that she donated $1,000 to All About Rabbits Rescue after the incident. She firmly denied claims that she had harmed the rabbits during the shoot by putting them on leashes. “I don’t know, I’m not a bunny professional. I didn’t know the leashes were such a big deal,” she remarked, asserting that the rabbits were only posed for brief moments before being picked up again.
Despite the social media storm, Sorokin remains adamant that her intentions were good, stating, “This time, I’ve done nothing wrong. And I had the best intentions, and it’s really frustrating.” As the situation continues to evolve, it underscores the complexities surrounding public perception and the impact of social media on individual lives.
