'The Vow': All the celebrities who were reportedly part of Keith Raniere's sex cult NXIVM including Allison Mack

Over the years, NXIVM began to increase in popularity and began to see more involvement of celebrities
PUBLISHED AUG 24, 2020
Allison Mack, Kristen Kreuk, Grace Park (Getty Images)
Allison Mack, Kristen Kreuk, Grace Park (Getty Images)

HBO's latest docuseries, 'The Vow' chronicles the rise and fall of Keith Raniere, a savvy businessman who used his charms and wit to entrap many into his cult, NXIVM (pronounced Nex-e-um). Raniere's cult is the subject of the docuseries which features former members such as actresses Sarah Edmondson and Bonnie Piesse and filmmaker, Mark Vicente, who detail their experiences becoming part of NXIVM and leaving the cult.

In 2019, Raniere was convicted of multiple federal crimes such as sex trafficking of children, conspiracy and conspiracy to commit forced labor, all related to a secret society within NXIVM. Prior to his conviction, details began to emerge how Raniere and his inner circle would recruit women to be his sex slaves, with Raniere often making some women go on diets -- with Raniere remarking to Vicente that he was trying to "break" Allison Mack when Vicente approached Raniere about Mack's emaciated appearance, according to a report by The Rolling Stone.

NXIVM was founded by Raniere and Nancy Salzman, a nurse and trained practitioner of hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming, on the basis of offering self-help programs known as the "Executive Success Programs," with Raniere taking the title Vanguard and Salzman taking the title, Prefect. Over the years, NXIVM began to increase in popularity and began to see more involvement of celebrities. Here is a list of celebrities that have been confirmed or have been alleged to be a part of the sex cult.

Allison Mack

Allison Mack (Getty Images)

Allison Mack is an actress best known for her role as Chloe Sullivan in 'Smallville' and was reportedly brought to her first meeting of Jness, a women’s group under the umbrella of NXIVM in 2006 by Kristen Kreuk, according to a report by The New York Times. While Kreuk left the group, Mack became more integrated and soon became a part of NXIVM's inner circle. In 2015, a secret society formed within NXIVM called DOS -- an acronym for a Latin phrase meaning “Lord/Master of the Obedient Female Companions” -- where women were “slaves” overseen by “masters” and ordered to have sexual relations with Raniere. Mack was accused of targeting young vulnerable women under the guise of female empowerment to be part of the secret society. In 2017, Mack married fellow NXIVM member, Nicki Clyne, allegedly to help Clyne -- a Canadian actress -- stay on in the United States.

Mack had tried recruiting many high-profile celebrities as well into NXIVM. In 2016, she tweeted at 'Harry Potter' actress Emma Watson, writing, "I participate in a unique human development & women's movement I'd love to tell you about. As a fellow actress I can relate so well to your vision and what you want to see in the world. I think we could work together. Let me know if you're willing to chat."



 

In April 2018, Mack was arrested by the FBI on charges of sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy and forced labor conspiracy in relation to her role in the NXIVM organization. She pleaded guilty to racketeering charges the following year and is awaiting sentencing.

Kristen Kreuk

Kristen Kreuk (Getty Images)

Like Mack, Kristen Kreuk also shot to fame through her role as Lana Lang in 'Smallville'. Kreuk first attended NXIVM's Executive Success Program in 2006, which was considered as a “major breakthrough” for the group according to a 2018 report by Vice. She reportedly was brought in by co-star Mark Hildreth while working in Vancouver. Her name along with Mack was reportedly often mentioned by their salespeople to sell courses. Kreuk eventually left NXIVM. In 2018, Kreuk released a statement about her involvement with NXIVM, writing, "When I was about 23, I took an Executive Success Program/Nxivm ‘intensive,’ what I understood to be a self-help/personal growth course that helped me handle my previous shyness, which is why I continued with the program.” She also claimed, “the accusations that I was in the ‘inner circle’ or recruited women as ‘sex slaves’ are blatantly false.”



 

Grace Park

Grace Park (Getty Images)

Grace Park is an actress best known for her roles in 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Hawaii Five-0'. According to a Vice report, Park cut ties with the group after The New York Times published a story in 2017 on the way secret society members were blindfolded, stripped naked, and branded. The Vice Report also notes that former members say Park's and Kreuk's past roles within Nxivm were undeniably significant.

Nicki Clyne

Nicki Clyne (Getty Images)

Nicki Clyne is a Canadian actress best known for her role in 'Battlestar Galactica'. According to federal court records of NXIVM's founder Keith Raniere 2019 trial, Clyne was identified by a government witness to be a part of Raniere's "inner circle" or "first-line masters" in DOS. A 2019 report from Art Voice suggests that Clyne has risen to the top role within the group. 

'The Vow' premieres on HBO on August 23, Sunday, at 10/9c.

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