Lena Dunham is looking back at this interaction through a new lens.
The creator of Girls described an unsettling audition experience with Allison Mack, the actress who went to prison for two years after admitting her involvement in the NXIVM sex cult. Mack had auditioned for a role on the HBO series.
In her memoir, Famesick, Lena recalls recognizing actress Allison Mack, known from Smallville. Although Mack wasn’t being considered for any parts, Lena says she received weekly email invitations for a year to join Mack’s ‘intimate women’s group’.
The 39-year-old woman, who didn’t identify the group but seemed to be talking about DOS—a secret society within a cult accused of sexual slavery—said she avoided getting involved thanks to luck or a higher power, stating, “I could have easily been in that situation myself.”
TopMob News has been unable to locate a contact for Allison for comment.
In July 2023, two years after being released from prison, Allison spoke about her involvement with NXIVM, the organization founded by Keith Raniere. Raniere was convicted in 2020 of crimes including racketeering and sex trafficking and is now serving a 120-year prison sentence. Allison also discussed DOS, a secret group within NXIVM.
She explained on the Allison After NXIVM podcast last November that she used her success as an actor to influence others and advance Keith Raniere’s goals. She described her fame as a tool that allowed her to get people to do what she wanted and effectively promote his vision.
As Allison, my job was to be the public face of NXIVM – to share its message, attract new members, and represent the organization to the outside world. I was naturally suited to this role because of my outgoing personality.
The 43-year-old woman explained that after she joined the cult in 2006 and began a relationship with Keith, he asked her to create and lead a program called “The Source” for actors and artists. She described it as using acting techniques to help people develop greater empathy and compassion.
She eventually revealed that Keith had recruited her into a demanding new project for a small group of women, which later became known as DOS.
She remembered him saying it wasn’t a quick fix, but a lifelong journey. He explained that it was meant to challenge you, forcing you to confront your deepest fears and ultimately become a stronger, more confident person.
Allison reported that Keith described their relationship as having a power imbalance, where she would be expected to become fully submissive and lose her sense of self.
The actress from Ant Bully stated she joined the project because Keith supposedly persuaded her it would help overcome her self-centeredness.
For a closer look at more of Allison’s revelations from her time in NXIVM, keep reading.
Allison Mack reflected on her 2021 sentencing – after admitting to charges related to her involvement in NXIVM – and remembered feeling deeply ashamed while hearing victims describe her as a “monster.” Her brother, Shannon Mack, and mother, Mindy Mack, were present during the hearing.
On the first episode of the CBC True Crime podcast Allison After NXIVM, Allison shared her immediate reaction, saying she felt terrible that her brother and mother were listening to her discuss difficult experiences. She explained she could handle the situation herself, but added, “I’m so sorry you guys have to hear this.”
“That was hard,” she continued. “I don’t see myself as innocent, and they were.”
She received a three-year federal prison sentence at the hearing, but was released after serving two years in 2023.
I’ve been following her story for a while now, and it’s heartbreaking to learn how she got involved with NXIVM. It started when she was just a teenager, really finding her footing as an actress. She landed a role on a TV show called Opposite Sex when she was only sixteen, and that meant moving out on her own – she even worked alongside Chris Evans and Milo Ventimiglia! It’s crazy to think that early success ultimately led her down such a difficult path, and eventually to that group led by Keith Raniere, which former members have since exposed as a dangerous cult.
It was around this time that she started experiencing a bout of “severe depression.”
In the first episode of the podcast, Allison shared that she was going through a really tough time. She explained she’d recently moved to Los Angeles to live independently, and was struggling with her feelings, finances, and body image after gaining weight and losing her job.
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, who played Chloe on the show, admitted she often dated intelligent women, and believes this might have been due to her discomfort with sexuality. She explained she never felt at ease or self-assured playing the typical ‘innocent’ or naive character.
Allison said she became close friends with Kristin Kreuk while working on Smallville, and they often traveled together when they weren’t filming. This strong connection allowed them to openly share feelings of dissatisfaction with where they were in life.
Allison described a feeling of restless dissatisfaction as the reason Kristin started taking classes with Jness, a self-help group that was part of the larger organization NXIVM.
Kristin was absolutely glowing when she told me about this – she called it ‘the science of joy!’ She genuinely believes it’s transformed her life for the better, and she was so enthusiastic, urging me to try it out myself. It’s clear this has had a really powerful, positive impact on her wellbeing, and she wanted to share that with me.
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 star suggesting she participate in a weekend event. ‘They’re doing a weekend and I think you should do it. I think you’d really like it,’ the star had said. Allison responded, ‘Okay, if you think I should and I’ll enjoy it, I’m in.’
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 growth course to overcome her shyness and that she was no longer involved with the organization by 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 also pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in 2019 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 topics like honesty and what it truly means to be truthful.
After that, Allison explained she went to Kristin’s house and joined a group where Nancy led an exercise called “exploration of meaning” – a process Nancy described as therapeutic.
Allison explained that if you had a problem, you’d talk to Nancy. Nancy would then discuss it with you, helping you understand your own perspective on the situation. By the end of the conversation, you’d feel relieved and things would improve.
She explained that seeing someone receive an EM made everyone think, “Wow, that really seemed to make a difference! I’d like to try one too.”
According to Elle, Nancy’s legal team sent a letter to the judge overseeing Keith Raniere’s trial, stating that Raniere had manipulated and exploited her. They described how he deceived, controlled, and humiliated her, ultimately leading her to participate in criminal activities. They characterized 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 join Keith for a late-night volleyball game.
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, which is why he chose that time.
When Allison and Keith first met, he surprised her by asking if she had any questions for him. She eventually asked him what he thought the meaning of art was, and his answer intrigued her – she found herself wanting to learn more about the man people called “the smartest in the world.”
She remembered him leading her on a fascinating journey through art, and ultimately explaining that the art itself isn’t important—it’s what you personally create with it. He said art reveals who you are and what’s inside you. 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 all of her money 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 further her spiritual growth.
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 decade-long role on the WB series from 2001 to 2011, shared that her celebrity status helped people take her seriously.
She explained that she leveraged her existing advantages, particularly her success as an actor. She saw it as a way to influence others and achieve her goals.
She wanted to leverage her popularity to help the man, who is now in prison for 120 years after being convicted of numerous crimes including sex trafficking, racketeering, and forced labor. She explained that she was successful in promoting his ideas and goals, saying, “I was very effective in moving Keith’s vision forward.”
Despite consistently claiming he did nothing wrong during his trial and after being found guilty, Keith acknowledges he was involved with NXIVM.
In a 2020 interview with NBC News, Keith expressed his regret for his role in the situation, saying, “I apologize for my part in all this pain and suffering.” He acknowledged his involvement, stating, “I’ve clearly participated, and I’ve been a leader within the community.”
Allison remembered a conversation with Keith and Nancy where they told her she had narcissistic tendencies. She had previously felt insecure about her self-worth.
She remembered being told during a workshop that she had narcissistic personality disorder. She was shocked and upset, thinking, ‘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, who had been living in Vancouver during filming and later moved to Brooklyn, made Albany her permanent home.
Honestly, it’s all a blur how I even decided to move to Albany and give up my brownstone. I was so attached to that place, I absolutely loved it! It’s crazy, but I started feeling guilty for loving it, like it was wrong to want something for myself. I basically convinced myself my love for the brownstone was a bad thing, and it just… broke my heart.
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 house 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 a three-way relationship with another person who was also seeing Keith.
Natalie explained that Allison led women in the cult to believe they could achieve enlightenment by following her example and becoming involved with Keith.
Allison explained that Keith described their intimate moments as “energy work,” framing it as a way to help her feel more comfortable and confident with her sexuality.
“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 was so Nicki could remain in the United States. Allison described their relationship as a “sister wife” arrangement because they were both involved 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 they had secretly married, with Nicki’s mother as their only witness. However, Allison’s mother later discovered the news and said she was deeply upset by it.
The cult’s main activities were based in Albany, and the actress progressed to a higher rank within the group. She eventually became a key recruiter, taking the lead in bringing new people into the organization.
As Allison, my job was to be the public face of NXIVM – to share its message, attract new members, and represent the organization to the world. I was naturally suited to this role because of my outgoing personality.
As more actors grew interested in NXIVM, Keith Raniere had Allison Mack lead a program called “The Source” specifically for people in the arts. Mack described it as using acting and artistic exercises to help participants develop greater empathy and compassion.
Allison shared on the podcast that Keith later asked her to join a very demanding project, one limited to a small group of women.
She remembered him saying it wasn’t a quick fix, but a long-term dedication. 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 learn to be utterly submissive and lose her sense of self. He’d told her that if she went along with it, she would overcome her self-centeredness.
The group, known as DOS, was later accused of being a front for sex trafficking and the enslavement of women.
The actress described how, within DOS, she and other women routinely sent nude photos of themselves to Keith.
In the third episode of Allison After NXIVM, she explained that the uncomfortable exercises started at the beginning of meetings, so they weren’t required for the entire time. Everyone believed discomfort meant they were facing personal challenges, which was seen as a positive sign of growth.
Following the death of Keith Raniere’s longtime partner, Pam Cafritz, in 2016 after a fight with cancer, Allison and the seven other founding members of DOS—known as the Firstline Masters—were each tasked with creating their own groups of “slaves” to expand the organization.
Allison remembers that DOS began using branding as part of its practices, coinciding with a period where all women – both founding members and those in subordinate roles – were subjected to a severely restrictive daily schedule involving starvation and sleep deprivation, supposedly overseen by Keith.
She said she was trembling with shock, but she was able to push the feelings aside and concentrate on the task at hand. She described mentally checking out, refusing to acknowledge what was happening and essentially removing herself from the situation.
As DOS grew to include around 150 women, the practice of branding became a formal part of the group’s activities and was documented. According to Allison, 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 concerning a younger, attractive woman, while simultaneously helping India work through her issues with self-acceptance regarding 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 nude photo of you and send it to her as proof of completion. She stated, ‘The assignment had one specific task, one particular endpoint: getting Keith to photograph you without any clothes on, then texting the picture to me.’
By that point, Allison had a number of people she controlled and frequently disciplined. She remembered one common punishment: making everyone, including herself, take a minute-long cold shower.
For India’s part, she previously detailed the weight her time in NXIVM had.
She told Variety in 2020 that she hadn’t initially recognized what happened to her as sexual abuse or rape. It took six months after leaving NXIVM, and extensive questioning by the FBI – days of interviews with six people – for her to finally admit she had been sexually abused. She described feeling unable to voice what had happened.
Allison admitted she had instructed someone named Nicole to follow any commands given to her by Keith. She recalled that Keith had allegedly asked 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 explained what had happened, and I was struck by her courage. I told her, ‘That was incredibly brave,’ because I honestly didn’t know if I could have done the same thing. I just kept repeating how brave she was.
She said she was shocked by what happened, but realized in hindsight that she probably should have expected it. She explained that she had simply believed Keith wouldn’t act that way.
Each morning, she started her day with a breakfast of kabocha squash, plain Greek yogurt, honey, and almond butter, sometimes adding blueberries. Her lunch was a simple salad, and for dinner, she typically 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, ‘You should probably eat some 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 easily wrap her fingers all the way 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 very focused on her weight at the time.
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 described in his autobiography, Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead, how he was imprisoned at age 17 for kidnapping and attempted murder. They bonded over their mutual passion for reforming the prison system.
I recently met someone who mentioned they were a public speaker, so naturally I asked what their topics were. They said things like tolerance, de-radicalization, and police reform. Honestly, I was floored! I’ve actually spent time incarcerated and am incredibly dedicated to prison reform, so it was a surprising connection. It’s amazing to meet people working on similar issues, even if our paths to get there were totally different.
After getting out of prison, Frank began speaking publicly and became involved in the fight for civil rights. Natalie says he even shared his experiences before a House subcommittee in 2020, addressing the issue of white supremacy within law enforcement.
Because of everything he’s been through, he can listen to Allison talk about her experiences with NXIVM with understanding, not criticism.
Frank explained on the show that she wasn’t trying to justify her actions. She simply stated the facts: several women had been branded, and that was a key reason she ended up in prison.
Frank explained that he simply looked at the person 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 filmed during the procedure. Her husband told people outside 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.
She recalled a time when the FBI started investigating, and discussions about it began. At the time, she thought everything was okay and believed the FBI would realize they hadn’t done anything wrong. Looking back, she admits she was very naive and out of touch with reality, falsely believing everything would work out.
Allison Mack has said that while working on Smallville, she was in a harmful 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 do so. He already had a large ‘A’ tattooed on himself and told her that if she truly loved him, she’d get the same thing. She explained she got the tattoo as a way to prove her love and to try to prevent him from harming himself.
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2026-04-15 22:54