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Allison Mack Speaks Out for 1st Time After Prison Release About Cult and Crimes
Smallville actress Allison Mack has spoken out for the first time since she was released from prison after serving time for her role in a sex trafficking case linked to the cult NXIVM.
In part one of a new seven-part podcast called “Allison After NXIVM,” Mack, 43, opened up about her role as top lieutenant for NXIVM. Prosecutors believed the self-help group, which was based in upstate New York and was led by Keith Raniere, was a sex-cult pyramid scheme that enslaved and branded women.
While talking to host Natalie Robehmed, Mack shared details of how she was brainwashed by Raniere and quickly became one of the women that helped him with his every need. In addition to having coercive sex with him on a daily basis, she gave up her acting career to move closer to NXIVM’s headquarters in Albany, New York.
After committing several crimes with the group, Mack pleaded guilty to crimes including extortion and forced labor. She was sentenced to three years in prison in July 2021, and she was released early from a federal prison in California in July 2023.
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The first podcast episode began with Mack recalling her sentencing day, which was attended by her family. “Oh, my God, my poor brother behind me, having to hear this about his sister,” she said through tears. “My poor mom! I’m so sorry, you guys. I can take it, but like f–k, you guys, I’m so sorry. I don’t see myself as innocent, and they were.”
Also during the episode, Mack revealed she went to her first NXIVM meeting in 2006 with her Smallville co-star Kristin Kreuk. She quickly embraced the group’s message, though also admitted to falling under Raniere’s spell.
“I think that I capitalized on the things I had,” Mack said of how she used her celebrity status to recruit women into NXIVM. “And so the success I had as an actor, I think I did capitalize on that, yeah. And it was a power tool that I had to get people to do what I wanted.”
During her trial, prosecutors said Mack and other leaders used nude photos and other compromising material as “collateral” to pressure members into going along with the group’s crimes, according to NBC News. Four years later, Mack acknowledged on the podcast that she was “very effective in moving Keith’s vision forward.”
“I was not kind and I was aggressive and I was abusive,” she said. “I was harsh and I was callous and I was aggressive and forceful in ways that were painful for people.”
Mack also admitted to “abusing my power” during her time with the group, though she said she can’t “negate the fact that there was a part of me that was altruistic and was desperate to help people.”
She went on to say that she “wanted to be better,” adding, “I was willing to do anything to be better in myself and to help other people be better.”
Since leaving prison, Mack has had a fresh start. She has gotten married and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work.
While some people aren’t thrilled that the podcast is giving Mack a platform, Robehmed explained that the former child star has received many offers to share her side of the story.
“Allison has not spoken publicly since her incarceration,” the host said. “She’s had lots of offers, but always said no — until now. She wants to tell her story in podcast form, because she loves podcasts, and because she’s no longer comfortable in front of cameras like she used to be.”
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