Allison Mack is looking wistfully at her past.
Two years after leaving prison – where she served time for her role in the NXIVM sex trafficking case – the former Smallville actress opened up about the challenges she’s facing, particularly with money.
Allison admitted things have been really difficult, explaining to Michael Rosenbaum on his podcast, Inside of You, that she’s gone through a complete loss. “I lost everything,” she shared.
The 43-year-old explained that it’s been particularly challenging because, as an actor, she understands how much effort it takes to maintain health insurance. Fortunately, she’s able to use her past earnings as a financial cushion.
She explained that she still receives payments from past work, which is great and gives her a lot of independence, but it’s not as much as she used to earn.
Michael understood what Allison was going through, commenting that after ten years on Smallville, she’d likely spent all her earnings.
Okay, so Allison finally said it – everything really is gone. But honestly? She sounds so happy about it! She’s just thrilled to have her own little place, something that’s truly hers. And she was telling me how completely different things are now, how much her whole outlook has changed. It’s like she’s a totally new person, and it’s amazing to hear!
She remembered biking to school, not on her own bike, but one she borrowed from her mom. She’d struggle uphill, hoping she might finally get a bike of her own for Christmas.
That memory really hit me hard, remembering Allison thinking, ‘I used to lease fancy BMWs, swapping them out every couple of years. Now, I’m hoping someone will give me a bike for Christmas because I just can’t swing the cost myself.’ It was a stark reminder of how much things had changed.
But everything she’s gone through made her understand “this is what’s important.”
She’s currently prioritizing the good things in her life, such as taking improv classes to rediscover her creative side since she really enjoys performing.
Allison shared how much she enjoys acting simply for the joy of it. She loves being able to focus on the performance itself, without the pressure of appearances or worrying about getting the part. It’s purely fun for her.
After being released from prison, the former CW star has openly discussed her experiences with NXIVM, which former members describe as a sex cult. Allison admitted she initially joined the group through a connection with her Smallville co-star, Kristin Kreuk, as NXIVM presented itself as a self-improvement organization. She later pleaded guilty to charges including racketeering and forced labor.
On the first episode of her podcast, Allison After NXIVM, Allison described telling Kristin she was experiencing a strange emptiness that felt out of place considering her life. Kristin responded that she felt the same way.
Allison observed that Kristin seemed strangely listless, which prompted her to explore NXIVM, a self-help group, while they were both working on a film project in Vancouver.
Kristin, now 42, once told her, ‘It’s like discovering the science of happiness – it’s incredible!’ She explained that it had dramatically improved her life and strongly encouraged her to try it too.
Allison added, “It was all she could talk about. She was super excited about it.”
Kristin had previously stated she left the group in 2013 and maintains she was only involved in a “self-help/personal growth course.”
Allison also shared other surprising information during her time with the group. You can find more details in her podcast.
Allison Mack, the actress known from Smallville, remembered the pain she felt during her 2021 sentencing. She had pleaded guilty to racketeering and related charges for her role in NXIVM. She recalled listening to victims describe her as a “monster” – a moment shared with her brother, Shannon Mack, and mother, Mindy Mack – and the deep guilt she experienced.
Honestly, listening back to that first episode of Allison After NXIVM was brutal. I kept thinking about her brother, stuck behind her having to hear all of this about their sister. And her mom! It just broke my heart. She said she could handle it, but you could feel the pain – she was basically apologizing to everyone, like, ‘I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this with me.’ It was just…wow. So raw and real.
“That was hard,” she continued. “I don’t see myself as innocent, and they were.”
She received a three-year prison sentence at the hearing, but was released after serving two years in 2023.
She explored how she first got involved with NXIVM, a group presented as self-help but now described by former members as a sex cult, and its leader, Keith Raniere. Her journey began when she started living independently at 16, after landing a role on the short-lived TV show Opposite Sex alongside Chris Evans and Milo Ventimiglia.
It was around this time that she started experiencing a bout of “severe depression.”
On the first episode of the podcast, Allison explained she was going through a really tough time. She’d recently moved to Los Angeles to live on her own, and was struggling with her feelings, weight, and unemployment.
She was planning to move to Europe for acting school, but after landing a role on Smallville, she changed her plans and moved to Vancouver instead.
Allison, known for playing Chloe Sullivan, explained that she often dated intelligent women, and believes her discomfort with sexuality played a role. She admitted she never felt at ease or self-assured portraying a naive or innocent character.
Allison said she became close friends with Kristin Kreuk while working on Smallville, and they often traveled together when they weren’t filming. Because of their strong connection, they felt comfortable sharing feelings of dissatisfaction with their lives.
Allison described a feeling of restlessness and dissatisfaction – a sort of “weird ennui” – as what prompted Kristin to try classes with Jness, a self-help group that was part of the larger organization NXIVM.
Allison remembered Kristin excitedly describing something as ‘the science of joy,’ saying it had dramatically improved her life and urging Allison to try it too.
She added, “It was all she could talk about. She was super excited about it.”
As a result, Kristin convinced Allison to give the group a try.
Allison recalled the Murder in a Small Town actor telling her, “They’re holding a weekend event and I think you should go. I really think you’d enjoy it.” She remembered responding, “Okay, if you think I’d like it, I’ll do it.”
TopMob News has reached out to a rep for Kristin for comment and has not yet heard back.
In a 2018 social media post, Kristin explained that she joined what she believed was a personal development course to overcome her shyness and that she stopped participating around 2013.
Allison found the self-help classes led by Nancy Salzman and her daughter Lauren Salzman to be beneficial. However, both women later faced legal consequences: Nancy Salzman pleaded guilty to conspiracy and racketeering in 2019 and received a 42-month prison sentence, while Lauren Salzman pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in the same year and was sentenced to five years of probation.
We were exploring big questions about the meaning of life, and how those ideas connect to gender and relationships. I really enjoyed the course material – it focused on important things like honesty and what it truly means to be truthful.
Allison then shared that she went to Kristin’s house and joined a group where Nancy led an exercise called “exploration of meaning,” which Nancy described as therapeutic.
Allison explained that if you came to Nancy with a problem, she’d talk it through with you, helping you understand your own perspective. The goal was to leave the conversation feeling better and with a new outlook.
She explained that seeing someone receive an EM made everyone think, “Wow, that really seemed to make a difference! I’d like to try that too.”
According to Elle, Nancy’s legal team sent a letter to the judge overseeing Keith Raniere’s trial, stating that Raniere had deceived, manipulated, and embarrassed her, ultimately leading her to participate in illegal activities. They described him as arrogant, self-centered, and a sexual predator.
Allison said that after spending the weekend at Jness, she received an invitation to meet Keith in Albany, New York. When she got there, the actress from Smallville was asked to wait until someone came to get her and bring her to a late-night volleyball game with Keith.
Allison remembered thinking it was strange when she heard that Keith played volleyball in the middle of the night. Apparently, he didn’t keep a typical schedule and preferred to have privacy while playing.
When Allison met Keith, he surprised her by asking if she had any questions for him. She eventually asked him about the meaning of art, and his answer sparked her curiosity, making her want to learn more about the man people called “the smartest man in the world.”
She remembered him leading her on a fascinating journey through art, and ultimately telling her that the art itself isn’t important, but rather what you personally create with it. He explained that art is a mirror, showing who you are and what’s inside you. She said she’d never heard anyone put it that way before – it completely changed her perspective.
She was amazed to realize that the beauty she saw in the world around her was actually a reflection of her own inner self.
Despite earning a substantial income in Hollywood – around $40,000 per week while working on Smallville – Allison lost it all through her involvement with NXIVM.
She believes she donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the organization, with $60,000 to $100,000 specifically spent on courses to help her grow spiritually.
She noted, “I was blowing my money out of bank account.”
After becoming involved with NXIVM, Allison quickly became a close confidante of the group’s leader, Keith.
The actress, known for her ten seasons on the WB series from 2001 to 2011, shared that being famous helped people take her seriously.
She explained that she used her existing advantages to her benefit. Specifically, she leveraged her success as an actor – seeing it as a way to influence others and achieve her goals.
She initially used her public profile to support Keith Raniere, who is now in prison for over a century due to convictions related to sex trafficking and related crimes. She explained that she was successful in promoting his ideas and goals, stating, “I was very effective in moving Keith’s vision forward.”
Even though Keith consistently claims he didn’t commit any crimes, he acknowledges he was part of NXIVM.
In a 2020 interview with NBC News, Keith expressed his regret for his role in the situation, saying, “I’m sorry for contributing to all this pain and suffering.” He acknowledged his involvement, stating, “I was a part of it, and I led the community.”
Allison remembered a conversation with Keith and Nancy where they told her she had narcissistic tendencies. She had been dealing with low self-esteem at the time.
She remembered being told during a workshop that she had narcissistic personality disorder. She was shocked and immediately thought, ‘That’s not who I am, and I don’t want to be like that.’
She said that she was willing to listen to “whatever Keith said” to work on her mental health.
After the TV show Smallville ended in 2011, Allison moved to Albany permanently. She had previously lived in Vancouver, where Smallville was filmed, and then briefly in Brooklyn.
She said she couldn’t recall who first suggested she move to Albany permanently and sell her brownstone. She remembered being very upset about it, because she really loved the brownstone, and somehow convinced herself that loving it was a bad thing, as she shared on the second episode of the Allison After NXIVM podcast.
Allison believed that enjoying her beautiful brownstone would be shallow, so she decided selling it would prove how committed she was to her principles. When she eventually purchased a smaller townhouse near Albany, New York, she had already been involved with NXIVM workshops for five years.
Allison revealed in a podcast interview with Natalie Robehmed that she had sexual relationships with Keith Raniere and other members of NXIVM.
The podcast host revealed that Allison had daily sexual encounters with Keith and also participated in group sex with another person, who was also involved with Keith.
As one of Allison’s followers, I remember Natalie explaining how Allison promised us enlightenment. She’d tell us that if we followed her example and got close to Keith, we’d finally achieve it. It was all about mirroring Allison and building a connection with him, she said.
Oh my god, it’s just… Keith totally convinced Allison that what they did wasn’t just physical, you know? He called it ‘energy work’! Can you believe it? It was his way of making her feel better about herself, about her sexuality, like he was fixing her insecurities. It’s… fascinating, and honestly, a little brilliant.
“He would take ownership or responsibility for what was happening in my body and what was happening with me emotionally,” she said. “It was like, ‘No other man will be able to do this for you.’”
Allison admitted Nicki wasn’t particularly fond of her, but she still agreed to marry her. This allowed Nicki, a Canadian actress, to remain in the United States. Allison described their relationship as a ‘sister wife’ situation, explaining they were both intimate with the same man, Keith.
Allison said she’s already decided she won’t marry anyone else, explaining, “What does it even matter? We’re practically married as it is.”
She revealed that she and Nicki had a private wedding, with Nicki’s mother as their only witness. However, Allison’s mother later discovered the marriage and said she was deeply upset by it.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen firsthand how people can get caught up in groups promising self-improvement. In this case, Albany was the main hub for this particular organization, and the actress really rose through the ranks. She told me she eventually became a key player, often taking the lead in bringing new people into the fold.
As Allison, I really saw my purpose as being the face of NXIVM to the outside world. Because I was so outgoing, I was tasked with spreading their message, recruiting new members, and basically representing what NXIVM stood for publicly. It just felt natural, like it fit my personality and who I am.
As more actors grew interested in NXIVM, Keith had Allison develop a program called “The Source” specifically for people in the arts. Allison described it as using acting and artistic exercises to help participants become more compassionate.
I was so excited to hear Allison talk about it on the podcast! Apparently, Keith eventually asked her to be part of this new project, and she described it as incredibly demanding – something reserved for just a small group of women. It sounds amazing and I’m thrilled for her!
She remembered him saying it wasn’t a quick fix, but a lifelong journey. He explained that it was meant to help you overcome your biggest fears and ultimately become a stronger, more confident person.
She recalled Keith describing their relationship as having a power imbalance, where she would be expected to become very submissive and lose her sense of self-importance. He had told her that participating in this dynamic would help her overcome her perceived self-centeredness.
The group, known as DOS, was later accused of being a place where women were forced into sexual servitude.
The actress described how she and other women were allegedly required to send nude photos of themselves to Keith as part of DOS.
In the third episode of Allison After NXIVM, she explained that the uncomfortable exercises started at the beginning of meetings, so they weren’t subjected to them the entire time. Everyone believed discomfort meant they were facing personal challenges, which was seen as a positive sign of growth.
When Keith’s girlfriend, Pam Cafritz, passed away in 2016 after fighting cancer, Allison and the seven other original members of DOS—known as the Firstline Masters—were each tasked with starting their own groups of “slaves” and recreating the DOS structure.
Allison remembers when DOS began using branding, and recalls that all the women – both the core members and those Keith controlled – were subjected to a harsh daily schedule that left them starved and exhausted.
Let me tell you, in moments of intense stress, I’ve learned a powerful coping mechanism. I can experience a huge shock – my body literally trembling – but I’m able to mentally step away. It’s like a switch flips, and I tell myself, ‘I’m not going to process this right now.’ I completely detach, almost as if I’m observing from somewhere else. It’s a way to protect myself in the moment, to function when everything feels overwhelming. It’s not always healthy long-term, but in those critical seconds, it allows me to stay present and get through it.
As DOS grew to include around 150 women, the practice of branding became a formal part of the group’s ceremonies and was documented. Allison stated that members requesting to be branded would ask, “Master, may I be branded?” She estimates that between 20 and 30 women ultimately received these brands.
Allison stated that her initial recruit into DOS was her previous roommate, India Oxenberg, who had originally joined NXIVM five years before that.
Allison explained that the situation felt like a setup where the therapist would address her jealousy and insecurities regarding a younger, attractive woman, while simultaneously helping India explore her feelings about her sexuality and body image.
The assignment she gave India “to push her through” her insecurities was to seduce Keith.
Allison explained the task was to convince Keith to take a compromising photo of someone and send it to her as proof of completion. Specifically, she asked someone to get Keith to take a picture of them without any clothes on, and then to text that photo to her.
By that point, Allison had a number of people she controlled and frequently disciplined. She remembered one common punishment being a cold shower for everyone, including herself, lasting about a minute.
For India’s part, she previously detailed the weight her time in NXIVM had.
She told Variety in 2020 that she didn’t initially recognize her experiences within NXIVM as sexual abuse or rape. It took six months after leaving, and extensive questioning by the FBI – days of interviews with six people – for her to finally acknowledge that she had been sexually abused. She described feeling unable to voice what had happened to her.
Allison admitted she had instructed someone, identified only as Nicole, to follow any commands Keith gave her. She recalled that Keith supposedly told Nicole to get on a table while blindfolded, before another person performed a sexual act on her.
Allison said that Nicole had come running back to her house.
She shared what had happened, and honestly, my first reaction was just, ‘Wow, that took incredible courage!’ I couldn’t think of anything else to say. I told her I seriously doubted I could have done the same thing – she’s truly brave, and I really meant it.
She confessed she was shocked by what happened, but realized in hindsight that she probably should have expected it. She explained, “I really believed Keith wouldn’t act like this.”
Every morning, she started her day with a breakfast of kabocha squash, plain Greek yogurt, honey, and almond butter, sometimes adding blueberries. Her lunches were salads, and for dinner, she usually had glass noodles with kale, jalapeños, and – you guessed it – more kabocha squash!
Her mom, Mindy, explained on the podcast that her daughter’s hand was consistently a light orange color. She remembered telling her daughter she likely needed to eat more protein.
But Keith had put Allison on a 500-calorie-per-day diet, the actress said.
Allison explained that one requirement was maintaining a weight of 107 pounds. She described being so thin she could wrap her fingers completely around her waist.
Every evening, she had to stop eating by 5 p.m., and she didn’t eat at all on Mondays. On top of that, she ran six miles each day.
She explained she used to chew a lot of gum because she was constantly hungry. She also mentioned she was overly focused on her weight.
Two years after getting out of prison, Allison married a man named Frank Meeink. Natalie identified him as a former neo-Nazi and member of a white supremacist gang, and he appeared as a guest on her podcast in episode seven.
In February 2024, a former member of NXIVM met Frank, who detailed in his autobiography, Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead, that he served time in prison as a teenager for kidnapping and attempted murder. They bonded over a mutual passion for reforming the prison system.
Allison remembered him saying he was a public speaker. When she asked what he spoke about, he said it was topics like tolerance, preventing radicalization, and police reform. Allison was surprised, replying that she had personal experience with the prison system and was very involved in prison reform herself, finding the coincidence remarkable.
After getting out of prison, Frank turned his life around and became a public speaker and activist fighting for civil rights. Natalie mentioned he even shared his experiences before a House subcommittee in 2020, focusing on the issue of white supremacy within law enforcement.
Because of everything he’s been through, he can listen to Allison talk about her involvement with NXIVM with understanding, rather than criticism.
Okay, so Frank said on the podcast, and honestly, it just killed me, that she wasn’t even trying to justify anything. She just laid it all out there – she said a whole group of women were branded, and that’s actually why she ended up in prison. It was so raw and honest, and I’ve been replaying it in my head ever since!
Frank explained that he simply looked at her and said, “I used to be a neo-Nazi and even kidnapped people, so I’m definitely not in a position to judge you. I don’t judge you at all.”
Sara Edmonson, who ran NXIVM’s Vancouver center and had been branded, was one of the women featured in the branding footage. Her husband told people outside of the inner circle (DOS) about it. After leaving NXIVM, Sara tried to warn others, including Allison’s mother, Mindy. However, Allison didn’t seem overly concerned by these new warnings at first.
Looking back, I really underestimated the seriousness of the situation. I remember when the FBI started asking questions, and I genuinely thought they’d see we were on the up-and-up. It sounds crazy now, but I was completely convinced everything was okay, almost living in a bit of a bubble where I didn’t grasp the potential implications. I was so naive to think they’d just understand our side of things.
Allison, while working on the show Smallville, revealed she was once in a damaging relationship that resulted in her being branded with someone’s initials.
She said that when she was 20, she got a tattoo of his initials on her chest after he pressured her to match a tattoo he already had. He had a large ‘A’ tattooed on his own chest and told her that if she really loved him, she’d get the same thing. She explained she got the tattoo to prove her love and to try to prevent him from self-harm.
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2025-11-19 22:22