Anna Sorokin, famously known by her alias Anna Delvey, was accompanied during her rise through New York high society by a tech entrepreneur named Hunter Lee Soik. In Netflix’s drama series Inventing Anna, he is dramatized as Chase Sikorski, played by actor Sameer Usmani. During their two-year relationship between 2014 and 2016, the couple lived in luxury boutique hotels, attended elite global events, and leveraged each other’s social networks before Soik relocated to Dubai prior to Sorokin’s 2017 arrest.
Who Is Hunter Lee Soik?
Before becoming a central figure in media coverage surrounding Anna Sorokin, Hunter Lee Soik was a recognized figure in creative production and tech startup circles. Born in South Korea and adopted by a family in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Soik built an eclectic career spanning photography, modeling, event production, and digital strategy.
In the early 2010s, Soik gained industry attention for his work as a digital director and creative consultant. His portfolio included work on high-profile entertainment projects, including digital content production for Jay-Z and Kanye West’s 2011 Watch the Throne tour. This experience positioned him at the intersection of media, technology, and luxury branding, granting him entry into exclusive creative networks in New York and Los Angeles.
By 2013, Soik shifted his focus to tech entrepreneurship. He launched a high-profile crowdfunding campaign for an ambitious mobile application designed to capture, archive, and analyze human dreams. This project elevated his profile from creative freelancer to tech founder, leading to speaking engagements and coverage across tech and lifestyle media outlets.
HUNTER LEE SOIK TIMELINE
- 2011: Works on Jay-Z & Kanye West's "Watch the Throne" digital media
- 2013: Launches Kickstarter for dream-archiving app "Shadow"
- 2014: Begins dating Anna Sorokin (Anna Delvey) in NYC social scene
- 2016: Relocates to Dubai / Europe; relationship with Sorokin ends
- 2017: Sorokin arrested in California; Soik remains out of trial
- 2022: Dramatized as "Chase Sikorski" in Netflix's "Inventing Anna"
Real Life vs. Fiction: Hunter Lee Soik vs. Chase Sikorski
When journalist Jessica Pressler published her groundbreaking 2018 exposé in New York Magazine, titled "How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People," she described Sorokin’s unnamed boyfriend as a charismatic, TED-Talk-giving tech founder working on a dream-recording application. Online investigators rapidly identified this individual as Hunter Lee Soik.
When Netflix adapted Pressler's reporting into the 2022 miniseries Inventing Anna, executive producer Shonda Rhimes introduced the character Chase Sikorski. While Sikorski closely mirrors Soik's professional background and public persona, the series took narrative liberties to heighten dramatic tension.
| REAL WORLD (2014-2016) | NETFLIX DRAMATIZATION |
|---|---|
| Hunter Lee Soik | Chase Sikorski |
| App: "Shadow" (Dream Capture) | App: "Wake" (Data Archiving) |
| Left NYC for Dubai in 2016 | Abruptly abandons Anna in UAE |
| Not charged in Sorokin fraud | Portrayed as co-dependent climber |
Key Differences Between Fact and Screen
- The Character Name and Persona: Netflix renamed Hunter Lee Soik to Chase Sikorski. In the series, Sikorski is portrayed by Sameer Usmani as a smooth-talking founder constantly pitching his app "Wake" to wealthy patrons while secretly struggling to secure funding.
- The App Concept: In real life, Soik’s app was called Shadow, structured as a platform to record dreams immediately upon waking. In Inventing Anna, the app was renamed Wake, framed slightly more generically as a revolutionary data-tracking system.
- Financial Co-dependence: The TV show depicts Chase and Anna as operational partners who frequently manipulate each other for funding, with Chase using Anna’s presumed heiress status to secure meetings with high-net-worth investors. In reality, acquaintances noted that while both enjoyed luxury lifestyles on borrowed social capital, Soik had established professional credentials and funding prior to meeting Sorokin.
- The Departure: In Inventing Anna, Chase’s exit is portrayed as a sudden disappearance after his app fails to deliver on its technical promises. In reality, Soik’s transition to the United Arab Emirates was part of a broader career shift into international business and government innovation consulting.
The Tech Startup: "Shadow" (Real Life) vs. "Wake" (Netflix)
To understand Hunter Lee Soik's role in Anna Sorokin’s world, it is necessary to examine his flagship tech project: Shadow.
In late 2013, Soik launched a Kickstarter campaign for Shadow, described as an alarm clock app that prompted users to record their dreams immediately upon waking via text, voice notes, or structured tags. The concept aimed to build a global database of human dream patterns, utilizing big-data analytics to uncover collective subconscious trends.
"SHADOW" APP DEVELOPMENT CYCLE
- Late 2013: Kickstarter launched; raises over $82,000
- 2014-2015: Media coverage & international speaking tours
- 2016: Operational delays; app fails full commercial rollout
- Post-2016: Pivot to Middle East innovation initiatives
The campaign resonated with investors and tech enthusiasts. Shadow raised over $82,000 from more than 3,000 backers, exceeding its initial $50,000 goal. The project received media attention from outlets including Wired, Forbes, and Fast Company, positioning Soik as a visionary entrepreneur within the tech ecosystem.
However, developing the complex software proved challenging. Despite beta testing and public presentations, Shadow faced development delays and never achieved a widespread commercial launch. By 2016, as public updates on the app slowed, Soik shifted his focus to international advisory roles, leaving the tech startup behind.
The High-Society Jet-Setting Era (2014–2016)
Between 2014 and 2016, Anna Sorokin and Hunter Lee Soik operated as a high-profile couple within elite circles in New York, Europe, and the Caribbean. During this period, Sorokin had not yet attempted her largest fraudulent maneuvers—such as attempting to secure a $22 million loan from City National Bank or Fortress Investment Group for her proposed "Anna Delvey Foundation."
Instead, the couple navigated New York's art, fashion, and technology social networks together. Their lifestyle involved key elements that defined their public image:
- Boutique Hotel Living: The couple frequently stayed in upscale boutique hotels in Manhattan rather than signing long-term residential leases, creating an aura of cosmopolitan flexibility.
- Global Art & Fashion Events: They were regular fixtures at international gatherings, including the Venice Biennale, Paris Fashion Week, and private events in Ibiza and Miami.
- Shared Social Capital: Soik introduced Sorokin to tech founders, venture capitalists, and media executives. In return, Sorokin’s posture as a wealthy German heiress with a claimed €60 million trust fund provided an air of European old-money prestige that bolstered their joint social standing.
Acquaintances from that era described their dynamic as mutually reinforcing. Both individuals possessed strong personal charisma and an ability to project immense wealth and influence, allowing them to secure access to private yachts, luxury accommodations, and exclusive dinners without significant upfront capital.
Real Life vs. Inventing Anna: Detailed Comparison
The following table summarizes the structural differences between Hunter Lee Soik's actual history and his fictionalized counterpart in the Netflix series:
| Feature / Metric | Real Life: Hunter Lee Soik | Netflix Series: Chase Sikorski |
|---|---|---|
| Portrayed By | N/A (Self) | Sameer Usmani |
| Primary Project | Shadow (Dream-recording app) | Wake (Data/Dream archive app) |
| Crowdfunding Status | Raised $82,000+ on Kickstarter | Depicted seeking private venture capital |
| Key Background | Creative director for Watch the Throne tour | Vague tech innovator / founder |
| Relationship Duration | Approx. 2014–2016 (~2 years) | Approx. 2 years (condensed timeline) |
| Role in Scams | Not charged or named as co-conspirator | Depicted as leveraging Anna's status for funds |
| Post-Breakup Location | United Arab Emirates / Dubai | Barcelona / International retreat |
| Current Professional Focus | Smart city consulting & AI technology | Undisclosed within narrative universe |
The Breakup and Departure to Dubai
The relationship between Anna Sorokin and Hunter Lee Soik came to an end in early 2016. The breakup coincided with changing circumstances for both individuals.
As the development of the Shadow app stalled, Soik moved away from the New York startup scene. He relocated to Europe and subsequently to the United Arab Emirates, taking on roles focused on strategic innovation, smart cities, and emerging technology consulting for government and corporate entities in Dubai.
- 2014-2015: NYC & Global Social Circuit
- (Living in hotels, traveling to Europe, high-net-worth networking)
- Early 2016: Professional Transition & Separation
- Hunter Lee Soik
- Relocates to Dubai/Europe
- Focuses on tech & smart cities
- Avoids legal involvement
- Anna Sorokin (Delvey)
- Remains in NYC luxury hotel scene
- Attempts to launch Anna Delvey Foundation
- Convicted of grand larceny in 2019
- Hunter Lee Soik
Following Soik's departure, Sorokin remained in New York, where her financial demands escalated. Without Soik's presence or network, she relied more heavily on falsified bank statements, forged wire transfers, and bad checks to maintain her lifestyle. This period saw her check-cashing schemes, unpaid balances at luxury hotels like 11 Howard and the Beekman, and the fraudulent loan applications for the Anna Delvey Foundation that ultimately led to her arrest in October 2017.
Importantly, law enforcement and prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office found no evidence that Hunter Lee Soik participated in or was complicit in Sorokin’s illegal activities. He was never charged with any crime, nor did he testify during her 2019 criminal trial.
Post-Scandal Trajectories: Where Are They Now?
Following the public unraveling of Anna Sorokin's fraud and the subsequent global interest generated by Inventing Anna, both individuals pursued divergent paths.
Anna Sorokin (Anna Delvey)
After her 2017 arrest, Sorokin was tried in 2019 and convicted of eight charges, including grand larceny and theft of services. She was sentenced to 4 to 12 years in state prison, serving time at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and Albion Correctional Facility before being released on parole in February 2021.
Shortly after her release, Sorokin was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying her visa. In October 2022, she was granted conditional release to house arrest in New York City while appealing her deportation order.
Sorokin has remained a fixture in public media:
- Media Projects: Sold her story rights to Netflix, using the proceeds to pay restitution to defrauded banks and legal fees.
- Pop Culture Appearances: Participated in Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars in late 2024, performing while wearing an ankle monitor.
- Art & Podcasts: Hosted art shows featuring her sketches and launched a podcast from her Manhattan apartment.
Hunter Lee Soik
Unlike Sorokin, Hunter Lee Soik maintained a low public profile after his name became linked to her story. He avoided media interviews regarding his former relationship and focused on his business consulting career.
His professional activities have centered on technology innovation and advisory roles in the Middle East and Europe:
- Smart City Initiatives: Working with innovation hubs and executive teams on technological infrastructure and smart city development.
- AI & Future Tech: Consulting on enterprise technology implementation, modern tech infrastructure, and digital transformation.
- Distance from Media: Maintaining private or semi-private social media profiles, avoiding engagement with dramatic adaptations of his past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Hunter Lee Soik know Anna Delvey was a fraud?
There is no public evidence or legal finding indicating that Hunter Lee Soik knew Anna Sorokin was committing fraud during their relationship. Friends and associates interviewed for investigative reports noted that Soik, like many in their social circle, believed Sorokin was an heiress with access to substantial European family wealth.
What happened to the money raised for the Shadow app?
The Kickstarter campaign for Shadow raised $82,577 from 3,102 backers in late 2013. The funds were used for early development, design prototypes, and promotional efforts. However, the app encountered technical delays and ultimately failed to achieve a full-scale public release. Crowdfunding investments of this nature are classified as high-risk, non-equity contributions, and no criminal wrongdoing was associated with the project's operational difficulties.
Is Chase Sikorski a real person?
No. Chase Sikorski is a fictionalized character created for the Netflix series Inventing Anna. However, the character is directly based on the real life, career, and persona of tech entrepreneur Hunter Lee Soik.
How long did Anna Delvey and Hunter Lee Soik date?
The couple dated for approximately two years, from 2014 until early 2016. They lived together in various luxury boutique hotels and traveled extensively before separating prior to Sorokin's major fraudulent loan applications.
Did Hunter Lee Soik testify at Anna Sorokin's criminal trial?
No. Hunter Lee Soik was not called as a witness by either the prosecution or the defense during Sorokin’s 2019 trial in New York State Supreme Court. He had relocated abroad prior to her arrest and was not implicated in her financial crimes.
Strategic Takeaways and Lessons
The story of Anna Sorokin and Hunter Lee Soik offers insight into the dynamics of New York's social and startup scenes in the mid-2010s:
- The Ecosystem of Performative Wealth: The mid-2010s luxury tech scene created an environment where reputation and personal branding often took precedence over verified financial audits. Both tech startups seeking venture capital and individuals claiming ancestral wealth operated on social trust and high-visibility networking.
- Separation of Media Narratives from Legal Facts: While dramatizations like Inventing Anna combine multiple events and exaggerate dynamics for narrative clarity, court records distinguish between non-criminal social climbing and fraudulent conduct under state law.
- Due Diligence in Business and Networking: For investors, financial institutions, and business partners, the Sorokin era highlights the importance of conducting independent verification of assets, background credentials, and financial histories rather than relying on social consensus or high-profile acquaintances.
