Allison Mack, the actor known for her role in the television series Smallville, has publicly detailed her abusive actions within the Nxivm sex cult for the first time since her release from prison. In a new podcast series, Mack admits she was once excited by the power she held over other women, whom she helped coerce for the group's leader, Keith Raniere.
From Smallville Star to Cult Recruiter
Mack's journey into the notorious organisation began after she was introduced to Nxivm by her Smallville co-star, Kristin Kreuk. The group, which operated in upstate New York, presented itself as a self-improvement community. Mack was subsequently invited to meet its founder, Keith Raniere.
On the podcast, Allison After Nxivm, Mack explains how Raniere manipulated her, convincing her that being "physically intimate with him" would help her deal with childhood trauma. This indoctrination led her to become a key figure in recruiting other women into Nxivm's inner circle.
"I capitalized on the things that I had," Mack stated. "The success I had as an actor … was a power tool that I had to get people to do what I wanted." She described feeling excited by the influence she wielded over the "young, beautiful women" who looked to her for guidance.
Coercion, Branding, and Abuse
Within the cult, Mack's role evolved into that of a recruiter and enforcer for Raniere. The women she brought in were subjected to brainwashing, forcibly branded with Raniere's initials, and coerced into having sex with him.
Mack acknowledges her direct involvement in this abuse, recalling one specific instance where she acted as a go-between for Raniere and a victim. "The more she said, ‘I’m scared, I don’t want to do it,’ the more I would say, ‘You need to do it, and the longer you wait, the more consequences there will be,’" Mack recounted.
She described the escalating pressure as a form of coercion that ultimately led to rape. Despite claiming she was also brainwashed, Mack does not shy away from her culpability, stating plainly, "I was not kind, and … I was abusive." She characterised her behaviour as "emotionally aggressive" and "callous".
Legal Reckoning and Aftermath
The federal investigation into Nxivm led to Mack's arrest in April 2018. She ultimately pleaded guilty to related charges in 2021 and cooperated with authorities, providing evidence that helped convict Keith Raniere.
At her sentencing hearing in June 2021, Mack expressed deep regret, telling the court, "I made choices I will forever regret," and voiced her "remorse and guilt". She also publicly repudiated Raniere.
Keith Raniere was convicted and sentenced to 120 years in prison in October 2020. Allison Mack was released from a federal prison near San Francisco in 2023 after serving her sentence.
Now, through the seven-episode podcast Allison After Nxivm produced by CBC’s Uncover, Mack is attempting to tell her side of the story. She understands the public perception of her, saying, "People assume I’m this pervert. But that’s not what happened." She concludes, "I feel like I at least have to say it out loud for myself – once."
