Inventing Anna Subject Sues Netflix Over 'Greedy,' 'Manipulative' Depiction

Not everyone winds up happy when their lives are turned into a TV show.

Former Vanity Fair photo editor Rachel DeLoache Williams, who has long been vocal about her issues with Netflix docudrama Inventing Anna, is suing the streamer for her depiction on the series. According to Williams, just about everything surrounding her character on the show is made up. 

"This action will show that Netflix made a deliberate decision for dramatic purposes to show Williams doing or saying things in the Series which portray her as a greedy, snobbish, disloyal, dishonest, cowardly, manipulative and opportunistic person," states Williams' complaint, filed in Delaware federal court. 

Created by Shonda Rhimes, Inventing Anna tells the story of con artist Anna Sorokin - better known as Anna Delvey - and depicts Sorokin's friendship with Williams (portrayed by Katie Lowes) in what she feels is a negative light. "Netflix purposely used my real name, and real aspects of my life, to create a totally false and defamatory characterization of me," Williams told The Hollywood Reporter. "The truth matters and portraying real people requires real responsibility. I am filing this lawsuit to hold Netflix accountable for its deliberate recklessness."

Williams, who also penned best-selling book "My Friend Anna: the True Story of the Fake Heiress of New York City" and has sold the rights to her story to HBO, has criticized Netflix for "putting money" in Sorokin's pocket with their "fictional" telling of events. Her character is the only one on Inventing Anna whose real name and occupation is kept intact, a detail her lawyers claim proves malice on the part of the streamer. 

Netflix and Shondaland have not commented on the lawsuit. 

Inventing Anna is streaming on Netflix.

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Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. She was previously a reporter/producer at Decider and is a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.