Anna Sorokin ‘Horrified’ After Rabbits Used in Photoshoot Found Abandoned in New York Park
Anna Sorokin, better known as Anna Delvey, the infamous faux heiress portrayed in Inventing Anna—is facing serious backlash following an animal welfare incident linked to a recent photoshoot.
In the original Instagram post, Sorokin appeared outside a Tribeca subway station sporting her signature ankle monitor, holding two rabbits on leashes. These staged shots quickly caught the public eye. Days later, observers spotted rabbits, domestic and clearly uneasy, abandoned amid props used in the shoot at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. Sorokin has since expressed that she was “horrified” and “ashamed” by the incident and denied any involvement in the animals’ abandonment. She offered to assist in finding them safe homes.
Photographer Jasper Egan Soloff, one of the men involved, also claimed no responsibility. His lawyer stated he had no knowledge of how the animals were sourced or what happened to them after the shoot.
A junior member of the shoot, Christian Batty, aged 19, later admitted via a now-deleted Instagram post that he panicked when the rabbits were handed over to him. With no experience caring for animals, no pet-friendly housing, and unable to find help, he mistakenly believed that releasing them into the park was acceptable. He has since apologized and said the rabbits are now in foster care.
Animal rescuers, including Terry Chao, later located the abandoned rabbits, and discovered that they were the same ones used in Sorokin’s imagery. Along with others, Chao helped bring the rabbits into foster homes pending permanent adoption.
Why This Matters
A return to controversy: Sorokin, already known for her fraud conviction and glamorous public persona, now finds herself embroiled in a deeply disturbing case involving the misuse of animals.
Animal welfare alarm: The distressing treatment of innocent creatures as mere props has sparked outrage among the public and advocacy groups alike.
Accountability spotlight: While Sorokin disavowed wrongdoing, public scrutiny remains strong. The incident underscores the need for ethical considerations, even, or especially, under the gaze of artistic expression.