Anna Delvey Is Doing Great, Actually

Anna Delvey—the infamous faux heiress turned pop culture anti-hero—recently sat down with Taylor Strecker on Taste of Taylor, and let’s say she’s still got that mix of charm, sharp wit, and unapologetic candor that made her a household name.

From recounting her days as a “professional social climber” to casually discussing prison life, love or hate her, you can’t deny the girl’s got stories.

On Being Netflix Famous 

When Taylor asked about Inventing Anna, the Shonda Rhimes Netflix hit based on her wild escapades, Anna revealed she’s never fully watched it.

“I saw like the clips and whatever is unavoidable,” Anna shared, explaining that she served as a consultant but was mostly kept at arm’s length during production. “They would communicate with me just through Jessica Pressler, the journalist. So it’s really her version of my story.”

As for Julia Garner’s portrayal of her, Anna offered a trademark half-compliment: “She’s a nice girl,” before noting that she first recognized Garner from her role as another scammer in Ozark. Fitting, no?

Professional Social Climber or Networking Queen?

Anna might have built her reputation on scamming NYC’s elite, but she’s adamant it was all in the name of ambition. “I’m a professional social climber,” she declared unapologetically. “When you say networking, everyone’s like, ‘Oh my God, what a great networker!’ But it’s the same thing.”

Discussing her infamous attempt to launch the Anna Delvey Foundation—the elite arts club that would ultimately lead to her downfall—she remains remarkably candid. “I was really hell-bent on getting that building,” she said, referring to the $5 million lease fiasco. “But, obviously, I could not pay that rent.”

Never one to shy away from a good laugh, Taylor joked that New York real estate is so outrageous she wouldn’t have been surprised if the rent was $5 million a month. “Everyone was poor,” Anna deadpanned. 

Jail, TikTok, and Prison Fashion

When it came to her time at Rikers Island, Anna described it as a mix of boredom and excitement. She got candid about the unexpected camaraderie among inmates and turned prison uniforms into a fashion statement.

“So basically all the uniforms are the same—men and women. I put mine inside out, traced my body contour, and sewed it to fit,” Anna explained about a move that got her cited for “destruction of property.”

When Taylor wondered why it is illegal to look cute in prison,  Anna dryly replied, “You’re not supposed to look good in prison, I guess.”

Anna also dished on her post-prison social media resurgence, something she relishes after her “de-platforming” behind bars. “Everything I would do, I’d need to rely on mainstream media,” she said. “Now, I can just post whatever I want on a story. It’s so much easier.”

From House Arrest to Dancing Shoes

Perhaps 2024’s most unexpected plot twist was Anna’s stint on Dancing with the Stars. The girl who once duped New York’s elite into footing her bills was foxtrotting on live television. Anna, true to form, kept it honest.

“They asked what I learned, and I said, ‘Nothing,’” she laughed. “I mean, what did they want me to say?”

Though she only lasted two episodes, Anna left an impression. Her ankle monitor, still a part of her life, became an unexpected fashion statement. “They put tape on it and created a sleeve with crystals,” she revealed. “It was chic.”

The Next Scam (Kidding!)

These days, Anna is pivoting to legitimacy—sort of.  She’s hinting at a potential fashion line and getting involved in prison reform. But she’s keeping details under wraps for now. “It’s better to under-promise and over-deliver,” she mused.

Before signing off, Taylor couldn’t resist a rapid-fire round of ins and outs for 2025. Bucket hats? Out. Lash lifts? In. Working out? “Out,” Anna declared, adding that she prefers tennis because it’s “more fun than just lifting legs for no reason.”

Anna Delvey: Still an Enigma

If Anna’s taught us anything, it’s this: Never underestimate a girl with a vision (and a good tailor).

Whether you see her as a scam queen or misunderstood genius, one thing’s certain—Anna Delvey is always in, and she isn’t going anywhere.