5 Shocking Updates On Rachel DeLoache Williams’ Life After The Anna Delvey Scandal And Netflix Lawsuit

The story of Rachel DeLoache Williams, the former *Vanity Fair* photo editor who was conned out of $62,000 by the fake German heiress Anna Sorokin (Anna Delvey), continues to evolve rapidly. As of late 2024, Williams has successfully pushed forward with her high-stakes defamation lawsuit against Netflix for its portrayal of her in the hit series *Inventing Anna*. Her life has dramatically shifted since the infamous Morocco trip, moving from a magazine career to becoming a published author, a freelance writer, and a globe-trotting photographer whose entire public identity is now intertwined with one of the most sensational fraud cases of the 21st century. This article provides the most current and essential updates on Rachel DeLoache Williams, her ongoing legal battle, and the surprising turn her professional life has taken since publishing her memoir, *My Friend Anna*.

Rachel DeLoache Williams: A Comprehensive Biography and Profile

Rachel DeLoache Williams is an American writer, photographer, and former magazine editor whose life gained international attention due to her friendship with and subsequent financial fraud by Anna Sorokin.

• Full Name: Rachel DeLoache Williams
• Date of Birth: January 29, 1988
• Age (as of late 2024): 36
• Place of Birth: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
• Education: Graduated from Kenyon College (2010)
• Former Occupation: Photo Editor and Producer at *Vanity Fair* (Condé Nast)
• Current Occupation: Freelance Writer, Author, and Photographer
• Notable Work: Author of the memoir *My Friend Anna: The True Story of a Fake Heiress* (2019)
• Key Involvement: Testified against Anna Sorokin (Anna Delvey) during her 2019 trial regarding a $62,000 debt from a 2017 trip to Marrakesh, Morocco.
• Legal Status: Plaintiff in a major defamation lawsuit against Netflix over the *Inventing Anna* series.

The Shocking Status of the Netflix Defamation Lawsuit

The most significant and current development in Rachel DeLoache Williams’ life is her ongoing legal battle with streaming giant Netflix. This lawsuit centers on her portrayal in the 2022 Shonda Rhimes-produced limited series, *Inventing Anna*.

1. Netflix’s Motion to Dismiss Denied (2024 Update)

In a major win for Williams, a judge ruled in March 2024 that her defamation lawsuit against Netflix could proceed, denying the company's motion to dismiss the case. This decision is critical because it means the lawsuit has enough merit to move forward, forcing Netflix to potentially face a trial or settlement.

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Williams initially filed the lawsuit in August 2022, alleging that the series' depiction of her was false, misleading, and highly damaging to her reputation. She specifically claims the show falsely portrayed her as a "greedy, snobbish, disloyal, dishonest, cowardly, manipulative and opportunistic person."

2. The Core of the Defamation Claim: 'Betrayal' in Morocco

Williams's lawsuit takes issue with the narrative surrounding the now-infamous Morocco trip, where Anna Sorokin left Williams with a $62,000 bill at a luxury hotel, La Mamounia. The Netflix series allegedly depicts Williams as abandoning Sorokin and then "betraying" her to the authorities.

In reality, Williams was instrumental in helping law enforcement track down and arrest Sorokin. The series, however, took significant creative liberties, which Williams argues crossed the line into actionable defamation by painting her in a negative, self-serving light. The show's use of a disclaimer stating that "This whole story is completely true. Except for all the parts that are totally made up," has not been enough to shield Netflix from the legal challenge.

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Life After *Vanity Fair* and the Anna Delvey Con

While the legal drama unfolds, Rachel DeLoache Williams has successfully reinvented her professional life, leveraging her unique experience and writing talent. She has fully embraced her role as an author and a freelance creative.

3. The Success of *My Friend Anna* and the Financial Fallout

Williams left her position as a photo editor at *Vanity Fair* after the publication of her book, *My Friend Anna: The True Story of a Fake Heiress*, in 2019. Her memoir offered a detailed, first-hand account of her friendship with Delvey, the lavish lifestyle, and the devastating con. The book was a major success, landing on the *New York Times* bestseller list.

Crucially, Williams was able to recoup the $62,000 she lost. She sold the rights to her story to Simon & Schuster for the book and later sold the television rights to HBO for a reported $300,000, which was significantly more than the debt she incurred. This financial recovery is often cited by critics, including Anna Sorokin herself, as a point of contention, though Williams maintains her actions were about justice, not just profit.

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4. A Shift to Freelance Photography and Writing

Today, Williams primarily works as a freelance photographer and writer. Her social media presence often showcases her travels, demonstrating a professional pivot away from the high-stress, editorial world of Condé Nast. She has used her platform to continue speaking out about the dangers of con artists and the ethics of true crime storytelling, particularly criticizing the way the *Inventing Anna* series—which she called "deceptive, misleading"—romanticized Sorokin's crimes.

This freelance career allows her to maintain creative control and distance herself from the corporate environment where she first met Anna Delvey.

5. Anna Sorokin Was Acquitted of Charges Related to Williams

A key detail often overlooked is the specific outcome of the criminal trial. While Anna Sorokin was convicted on eight counts, including grand larceny and theft of services, she was found not guilty of bilking Rachel DeLoache Williams out of the $62,000. This acquittal was a point of controversy and is one of the reasons the public perception of Williams remains complex.

Despite the acquittal on that specific charge, Williams’ testimony was a crucial part of the prosecution's case, helping to establish Sorokin’s pattern of deception and fraud against other entities, including banks and hotels. Her willingness to testify at the 2019 trial demonstrated her commitment to accountability for the fake heiress.

The Continuing Legacy of the Anna Delvey Saga

Rachel DeLoache Williams is one of the few individuals who has successfully monetized her trauma from the Anna Delvey scandal while simultaneously fighting against what she views as a fictionalized, damaging narrative. Her decision to sue Netflix, a move that is both risky and expensive, underscores her commitment to correcting the public record.

As her defamation lawsuit moves forward in 2025, the case is poised to become a landmark example of the legal boundaries between true crime dramatization and the real-world reputations of the people involved. For Williams, the fight is not just about her name, but about holding powerful media companies accountable for the stories they choose to tell and how they choose to tell them.