I had phobias, panic attacks and anxiety. I have found a WONDERFUL psychologist, he brought me back to life. And once when I left him my usual “thank you, you are amazing”comment - he called me and in a very kind and professional way said “that’s enough, You have to stop mentally relying on me, you have to stop admiring me, live your life with the skills I gave you”. Now I see how healthy that was!!
When I left my therapist I thanked him for saving my life he told me he only listened to me and reminded me of what you I told him previously that's why I take notes I just taught you how to heal yourself
Wow, That's a true psychologist, and most importantly that's a humble human being. Many people would take advantage of being in a position of power over another person.
@@yamiletsoler3464 it's also just like a common very basic rule that therapists can't be too personally entangled with clients - otherwise power comes into play. That's why self help circles can become dangerous if not managed with professionalism. Same in real life - If you want to truly help people it's better to be able to let go- otherwise you might do it for yourself.
Something so eerie about the clip where Alllison sits in awe listening to Keith. She looks at him like he is a god to her. Can't help but cringe. Keith using so many words to say absolutely nothing at all and to Allison it seems like she is hearing something so divine and mindblowing.
The first time I saw it, many years ago, I was incredibly freaked out. Although I was roughly high-school-aged, I remember thinking, "This guy just memorized a thesaurus and this crazy girl is eating it up."
@@Enscriptiv *stupid people. I don't need to be a man to understand that he is saying nothing (curious to know that so many had the same thought while hearing hm speak) while she looks like she is hearing god explaining the meaning of the life. It's kinda weird see that cute young woman smile with innocence and then realize she is monstrous inside, pretty sure nothing is left from what she once was... She enjoyed bossing those woman, literally calling them slaves and even branding them which is considered mutilation, how she got only 3 years is beyond me.
While I feel sorry for her for getting manipulated in the first place, she deserved more than the piddly 3 years in prison she got. She destroyed a lot of lives of the women she recruited.
On one hand, I agree with you. On the other hand, she was a victim as well as a perpetrator. She was making decisions on 500 calories a day, while she was going broke. She was not 100% at fault, due to coercion, but she is 100% responsible for her actions. I really don't see Allison Mack abusing anyone outside of Keith's influence. At least he got a decent consequence. I wonder how the women who were victimized directly by Mack feel about the consequences she received, I wonder if they think it's just.
@@sourgreendolly7685 , personally, I would never abuse anyone, either, I can't conceive of a scenario wherein I would abuse another woman, for any reason. Like every woman I know, I have been subjected to abuse, for large time periods, I would never do that, to anyone. No doubt, Mack is 100% responsible for her actions.
@@sourgreendolly7685 I agree. Just cause she was abused doesn’t mean she gets off for being an abuser. That’s why I think she should have gotten so much more time in prison than she got.
Allison was most certainly a victim of NXIVM, but it's ALSO true that she became one of its worst members. At some point, you can't claim victimhood anymore, and Mack definitely crossed that line. She's lucky that she only got a few years. She should be doing life right alongside him.
Reasons we should teach human psychology and manipulation in school from the start. So many people would be saved from abuse if they saw the red flags as they happen.
They are doing, it's called CRT and it's such a great thing, it impresses on Black kids how they have been oppressed all of their lives thanks to the white man. On white kids it impresses on them how they oppress the black or ethnic kids in their class. There's nothing sinister about this at all its a natural thing so just let it all happen. It's like being taught by a man in a dress and makeup with a big dangly thing between his legs right? It's fun for kids you know. Quite sure they won't grow up being weird at all!
@@colinfarren8326 hey pal if you’re so fixated on something that literally isn’t happening in schools that you’re commenting about it on a video that has absolutely nothing to do with it, you’re unhealthily obsessed and you need to take a step back.
Can’t help but feel like it’s people in desperate situations who want to run away from their responsibilities, or people who are weak minded in general
@@therealbuba Exactly! I've heard the accounts of the branding too and if any woman says they were forced, that's just not true. These were grown adults The worst I heard was one woman describe how another woman held onto her legs because she said she was squirming from the pain of the branding. Good grief, if you can't get up while some woman is holding your legs, that's your problem.
Well when the jerk feeds you a low protein diet you become more dependent on him than you could ever imagine. These brainwashed pawns just need a good protein shake or two or how ever many it takes to get them belligerent.
AMAZING isn’t it? My boyfriend, who is a recovering heroin addict with 7 years clean, spent 6 years in prison for a small amount of heroin. He was a first time, non-violent offender with a serious problem he needed help with, yet societies answer was to make an example out of him because he was a police officer at the time he was arrested. 6 years! 6 years away from our children and families and friends. All while this woman gets 3 years for literally recruiting women to be sex slaves abused on every single level. Now, I’m certainly not saying that what my boyfriend did was right. He was completely in the wrong. But he was never selling the heroin. Only using it for personal use. I wish someone could explain to me how 6 years of his life was taken from him for harming himself and himself alone, while only HALF that time was taken from hers for luring other women to an indescribably terrible fate.
That footage of Keith making her cry when they first met should be shown on high schools all over the country. We need to let the kids who are about to embark on independence know that this is a real threat they could some day go up against.
the sad thing is, instead they train kids to think "conservatives" are a threat..(i say this having a local teacher vanish after a parent played a recording of her class at a PTA meeting... for exactly that behavior...) cult behvaior religious, political or whatever, is never good, extremes are never good... i will never understand people who are incapable of seeing this, yet claim to have a proper education in history... we need to do alot with our education system, bring it back to center, to teaching facts, critical thinking, logic and reality, and teach people, as said above, to spot the signs and if nothing else, avoid being sucked in themselves... im so tired of modern society....so much hateful toxic bullshit...
I was in San Francisco in the 70s. I was in a very low point in my life. I was approached on the street by 2 young women. They spoke to me about coming to take testing to help me get over my depression and problems. I was leery. How would strangers help me if my own family couldn't. This was unsolicited. It's not like I went to a therapist, looking for advice. I didn't want to get dragged into a building, or argue on the street. Instead, I made an appointment for 'testing' for the next day. Of course I never went back, and avoided that area if at all possible. Afterwards, I found out it was Scientology. I had been raised fundamentalist evangelical, something I no longer believed, despite how young I was. My gut told me this was a cult, and to run as far and fast away from this as I could. I'd been through this before and didn't want to go back. This was long before internet, so info wasn't as available as it is today. I consider myself lucky, able to listen to my instinct, and not get involved.
When I was in my twenties I worked with the girl who said she was a Scientologist but she didn't act any way that you see them acting today she went home took care of her kid she was a single parent and she worked regularly and kept her money herself to raise her kid with
@@ItsMe-ic7on they have public members and then ones u read about is my understanding she still would have had to pay for advance courses.. it’s been awhile but my understanding is a lot of what the teach is useful and helpful.. then after awhile it gets bat shit crazy
The Church of Scientology has a huge HQ in SF, I should know as I've seen it and once when I lived in SF, my friends and I went inside. Some woman told me she was on track in med school to graduate and only had 1 quarter left to graduate but she was very stressed out. That's when she found Scientology so she dropped out of med school and became a recruiter.... she said her parents were devastated but she supposedly was happy with her decision. Sad that people seek out cults over real therapy to deal with their anxieties
Its disappointing how some naive people still consider her innocent and brainwashed. It was an organized crime and she completely knew what she was doing and what would be the outcome if caught. Notice how she asked to hide all the evidence completely show the signs of professional criminal.
You have to keep tabs on your women! Just look at the porn industry, 6 million full-time and thousands at failed audions every minute..women are naturally promiscuous which is why it's difficult to find a true one.
Personally I would disagree. She was a young professional with a great career, threw it and all her savings away to become what? An abused slave and cult recruiter? With hindsight she sees how wrong it was and her complicity in it but at the time it wasn't a criminal exercise in her mind. Guilt is often felt for our actions even though we don't understand why we're doing them. She was completely manipulated into doing what she did, even if we see her as accountable for her own part in this horrid mess.
@@ferventheat At the start you could say that she was lured into this. Later on though, there is absolutely no way that she didn't think this was criminal. She started seeing herself the way Keith was seeing himself. She realized she can play God. She realized she can be the master and that there are people who are willing to be her slaves. She felt the power. She knows full well it was wrong. But who cares if it makes her feel good. Of course she'll say sorry. Did you seriously think that in a decade she didn't realize that? Only when the FBI got involved was it wrong? Nope. The sorry was for the public, like you, who she can squeeze some sympathy out of.
You know as someone who has an anxiety disorder and depression I feel like if Allison had spoken to a therapist instead of going to self-help courses this could have turned out incredibly different. Mental health should be seen so much more as a viable option than having to suffer through things by yourself and potentially falling victim to some incredibly manipulative people in the self help scene. Also imagine paying someone thousands of dollars for them to treat you like absolute garbage. The audacity
part of me will never forgive Kristen Kreuk for introducing her to that cult. Maybe she would have gotten the help she needed if she had not made that connection. I know she was a grown woman after the fact and could have left at any time and the responsibility ultimately lands with her, rightfully so. But if Kristen didn't make that intro then Allison is finishing up her bachelor's degree and is not in prison as we speak.
No one will make you stand up for yourself, be it a cultist, life coach or psychologist. What do you mean exactly by "mental health option"? If you realize you're vulnerable, you have to fix this pretty much yourself.
@@eye1_s mentally stable people typically don't fall victim to cults. that's what is meant by the original comment. cult leaders prey on people who aren't doing well mentally.
@@jdzspace33 I don't think it's wise to blame an actress who tried it out, found it interesting (nothing bad yet), brought in Alison, got bored and left afterwards. Allison chose to stay of her own free will. With all the damage done, to coldly blame someone that, as far as I know, had nothing to do with all the bad stuff that went on within the cult just isn't right. What we do know is that Allison did do those things and it sounds like she knew what she was doing. According to the video uploadeder's comment located above, she is attempting to do it again.
@@hollieanderson-rambo17 You sincerely believe she owns the Federal Correctional Institute Dublin? Or you don’t think she’s really there? If people were not such strangers to critical thinking these cults would have a tougher time.
@@CiceroSapiens I don’t think he did. I don’t think it’s particularly cunning to find a pathological insecure person and bring to surface what they are trying to burry. If anything, I think he recognized she was just as narcissist as he was, and with the right amount molding he could get her to participate in his anti-social behavior and he was correct. She’s a victim in some ways, but ultimately equally a deviant. Being deeply wounded is one thing, letting those wounds manifest into the exploitation of others is unjustifiable.
I can remember being on some fan forums when Smallville was still in it's heyday, a lot of fans were concerned about this group that Allison was a part of waaaaay back then. We had no idea the extent of things that were happening, just that even then it felt like a cult and Allison was having some of her co-stars attend some of the events. Wild that it came out so many years later.
Man, I grew up on this show. It was the only time I liked anything superman related. In fact, I originally skipped it because I didn't know much about superman and thought it was just another twin peaks or something. Some teen drama basic shit or whatever. But once I saw an episode and went 'wait... superman?' I was hooked. I didn't even know about nxivm and failed to notice her appearing less in the show. And when I did, figured it was like lex actor. Just still can't believe such a talented actress could be manipulated like that so easily.
Well, her Smallville co-star Kristin Kreuk is who actually got Allison involved to begin with, but she left before anything crazy happened. Allison stayed in, and she got twisted by Raniere's lies to the point she helped him with sex trafficking. But its not like she was some irredeemable psycho with no conscience - she got brainwashed by a man with a false messiah complex.
Chloe was my favourite Smallville character as a kid. Blew my mind when all this came out. This is such a good exploration of how within exploitation often the groomed become the groomers, the abused become the abusers. So tragic and horrific.
You're right. But the abused don't always become the abuser. Sometimes the abused become the protector or the fighter. The ones that choose the wrong path and becomes a predator are scums of the earth.
I agree I loved her as Chloe, Chloe is my favorite from Smallville I also liked Allison in Honey We Shrunk Ourselves, such a talent and career. Gone down the drain based on her own actions it’s a pure shame and horrifically sickening based on her own actions. I certainly don’t feel sorry for her and all who were knowingly branding and causing more horror and heartache for these women in this disturbing cult.😑
I’m curious about her costar that introduced her to the cult, Kristin. Where does she fit in all this? Did she leave? If so, when? How far into it did she get? Has she spoken on it or her experience?
I think Kristen quit a long time ago, pretty soon after Mack got involved. She left before all the Jness and DOS drama. She also completely avoids talking about the cult and if I remember correctly, she put out one statement when the whole thing was exposed. She never spoke about it again.
When I was listening to Keith talking to Allison at the table and what he was saying, all I could think of was: This guy is saying absolutely NOTHING and making his gobbly-gook sound important. He said NOTHING. And she was agreeing with the nonsense he was spouting off. Kudos to Catherine Oxenberg seeking to help get her daughter out of that situation.
he was trying to dismantle the concept of good and bad, a technique many modern day gurus (read cult leaders) use to justify their own bad behaviour and get participants to follow along, abandoning or distorting ethics and morals to their own ends. That was the bit that got me anyway, Ive forgotten the rest cause it was all garbage. His point that people are stumped when asked what good or bad is, and that means its illusory, is false. People are stumped at any question thay havent been asked before or taken the time to think about, its an easy trick to pull. Thats why if you cant answer that question, its a good time to have a good long think about it, listen to some wise and benelovent thinkers on the topic, NOT cult leaders.
I did enjoy the fact the writers on Wilfred made it a point that her character was also arrested for her involvement in a cult, hence her sudden departure.
@@brainrich1358 Yeah, I had to rewatch some eps. The character was dropped as a damned lunatic. Not all that different except the character went to a mental home and not a prison.
It sounds like she had depression and maybe low self esteem. She clearly felt like she was lacking something. This is exactly the type that cults prey on. When Keith says art is self condemnation. She should’ve said “ok well I can say the same to anything you say I should value then”
Three years. She got three years. She was one of the ringleaders, she was the one who came up with the fun practice of branding their victims. I know a few people who got more years in the slammer than that because they liked to indulge in recreational drugs in the comfort of their own homes. And she gets three years. Meanwhile Keith gets a hundred and twenty. A pretty face, some crocodile tears and a sob story and the justice system folds with a royal flush as they usually do. Quell your tears people, Mack was no victim here. The majority of what she said during discovery was to garner sympathy for a lighter sentence. And it worked. Manipulation and intimidation will only get you so far in securing the participation of unwilling people in screwed up crap like this and frankly I'm appalled the judge and jury involved bought the bullshit she was selling.
I think that was Keith, remember Cult leaders specialize in suggestion and manipulation. He probably planted the idea, and she blurted it back to him. Keith is in my opinion, is not as wise as he claims to be, but he is for sure a master manipulator, sociopath, and ConMan. He’s run MLMs, he’s committed fraud, and made a cult disguised as self-help. Don’t forget who the real manipulator was, it was Keith.
She left a high ranking show to follow some guy who was up to no good & it cost Allison her career I can't believe Allison would do something like this & I was shocked when Michael said she brought her friends over & they made a nuisance of themselves at his house. When they said Nxium was sent to recruit Allison it was like the Scientologist recruiting Tom Cruise.
Agreed. That they couldn’t see through this nonsense or even question it is ludicrous. And why? Ego. She wasn’t satisfied just being well-off as another highly-paid TV actress, she needed more. So she blindly followed a want-to-be-god (as are most cult leaders) because he knew how to play her.
@@joeanthony7759 And she was dating Sam who played Davis Bloom/Doomsday & they almost got engaged but I'm guessing he didn't like what this cult was doing to Allison. So he may have given her an ultimatum it was either him or Nxium & Allison chose to follow the man with a god complex who made her give up acting when she went there wanting help on how to be a better actress. Kristin Kreuk was there too but she got out before the shit hit the fan & Laura Vanderfort who was Supergirl had said on Michael Rosenbaum's podcast that Allison tried to recruit her. Obviously Allison tried to get some of her castmates involved but they either declined or they had other things going on although Laura said she hardly had any contact with Allison when she was on Smallville they never shared any scenes together.
That cult leader was very good at saying nothing, while talking a lot. The only meaning of what he says comes from the interpretation of the listener. Terrifying and magnificent.
@@jrod1076 nah. They often have to be specific with what they’re saying. I’m not saying they care or deliver but this guy said nothing with many words.
Much of what he said was meaningless, but there was some real content in there. The real message was: “Everything you think you know is wrong. Only I can give meaning to your life. Only I can reveal the truth to you.” To most people, this is laughable, but to people going through personal crises or mental health challenges, it can be compelling.
Nxivm is curious to me because we're not talking about desperate people seeking lord in a religion, but strong people searching for a professional coach. Ended up being abused in the exact same way the religious extremists did. Cult mentality is a terrible, yet fascinating thing to analyze.
Just goes to show anyone is susceptible to cult-like environments. It’s not something that happens to weak minded people. It’s just about how effectively the cult identifies your vulnerabilities and takes advantage of them.
Accidentally binged your whole channel and girl you are amazing at what you do. Freakin love you, internet stranger! Thank you sooo much for all of your hard work ❤❤❤❤❤
No one talks about how Kristen Kreuk recruited several women including Allison Mack. For almost a decade, Kreuk gave speeches to college females, singers, musicians, actresses, to expose them to NXIVM. She helped start several "projects" within NXIVM such as Girls by design, Juicy Peach, A Cappella Innovations, and the NXIVM College Student Survey. She suddenly fled back to Canada once she was accused in 2012, yet she continued to go on trips with high ranking members until 2014 as it was revealed in court via geotagged images. She should have served along side Allison Mack.
@@Quach7 Of course. It's incredibly frustrating to listen to though. I'm aware of how the tricks work due to years of forced counseling and my own interest in Psych and Criminal Psych. Every once in awhile I'll forget, then another one of em comes along, and it irritates all over again, like a scab that's almost healed that gets scraped.
I love my dad but he talked that way too. Either stating the obvious or simply talking and talking but really saying nothing. Finally one day I said to him: "Dad, if you don't have anything to say, don't say anything. But don't talk just because you think you have to say something."
As someone who was raised in a cult, I am in no way excusing her whatsoever, I just really do understood where her mind was. I see a lot of comments saying things like “how can someone believe this stuff” and granted I was a child but that’s what they do. It starts off so small, seemingly innocent and they go after people they know are vulnerable. They ease you in with sweet words and manipulate the teachings to sound wonderful and empowering. It’s been over 10 years since I got out and I am still unlearning things that were heavily influenced by them and it unfortunately is a life long journey. Again, I only say this as an explanation, not an excuse. It just saddens me looking at her, her glazed over eyes and forced smile, that was me for a very long time. Narcissistic abuse alter your brain chemistry and basically makes you reliant on the abuser, much like a substance addiction. It becomes terrifying to think of a life outside of that and you truly believe you might die if you leave. Not to mention the humility you fee when finally admitting that you were duped and the years you spent dedicating your life to something, ended up all being a lie. Your entire world comes crashing down and it’s a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
Ive never been in a cult but im with u. Yes from the outside looking in, its easy to say "how/why would anyone ever believe this stuff?". But like u said, they dont start off by immediately telling someone to have sex with a senior member/the leader or to physically assault/kill someone, they do it slowly. All it takes is for someone to be at a stage in their life where they r lost, vulnerable, looking for a sense of belonging, and boom, along comes some guy saying we r a big family doing all these wonderful things. Just like u im not excusing any of what happened or what im about to use as an example cuz many ppl will say these ppl r just dumb. The SS, the top group within the nazis, had some strict rules for who could enter. This included physical traits as well as an iq of at least 130 (could be wrong but it was a high number), far from what we would consider to be a person who is dumb/not smart. A vulnerable person looking for a sense of belonging, in addition to a charismatic person who is good with words is really all it takes for sth like this to take off. Again, not excusing any of what happened, but ppl need to stop acting so high and mighty cuz well, the human mind and psychology is and can be a lot more fragile and easily exploitable than we think.
Well said. Best comment. I am quite annoyed with all this one-sided comment be it for or against her. This is not the point in such a case in my opinion. This more complex. The real important point is "how can something like this happen in the first place?" and "how is it possible as a society to you prevent it?" and " What should we teach in public (school, media) so innocent people can recognise it?" It is so easy to judge when you only hear about in media and never involved personaly. Best whises to you.
People believe all sorts of things. Ridiculous patriotism, manifest destiny, the stability of the fiat currency system, organized religion, rewritten history, myths of all sorts, etc etc. Everyone on the planet is under a spell of belief in one way or another. I agree she was manipulated, but she also went along with the entire thing and made victims out of other people for her own benefit. She’s not the mastermind but accessory is a serious crime, even if you were manipulated. 21 months is a joke.
I love documentaries, I can tell that you are not milking trending topics, because you involve specific angles, which are important to you. Plus, I have something to get me through me home workout.
Man, there are some hard hitting women here on TH-cam when it comes to investigative journalism. This is a crazy ass story I wasn't aware of. I don't follow or care about celebrities, so I was only dimly interested in this video when I clicked on it. And I was blown away by some amazing research put into story telling form. Well done
When I heard about it a while back I was just blown away to think that actresses and actors would be involved in that especially the ones that people were very familiar with because of you know shows like Smallville the Green arrow etc etc I was stunned
I feel the same. It kept coming up as a suggestion and I finally watched it and couldn’t stop! Also, I applaud your open admiration of a woman’s work. Good man. ❤️
Keith was speaking in sentences by 1, wrestling mountain cats by 3, hosting Meet The Press by 5, branding troubled women by 40, and making license plates for $.10 a day by 50. Quite a life.
He is basicaly belittling her love for art and making it sound like it is some sort of prison, and the reason for her unhappiness, which it isn't. Seeing him namipulating her like that, about something that she clearly truly loved, incredibly saddens me...
It was upsetting to me too. But instead of considering it a red flag like most people would have, she thought she was the one in the wrong, and that sort of thinking was probably habitual to her. She had horrible self-esteem and that sociopath knew it and pounced.
@@chalkedlines8960 Exactly. This is what saddens me the most in all of this. Had something or someone else happened to her, THIS wouldnt have been her life. Sigh... Some humans and some realities really are disgustingly tragic.
Cautionary tale, indeed. I really liked her in Smallville but even if she started as a victim, the perpetrator in her eventually raised its ugly head. You can see her when interviewing the dufus she is enchanted by the bullcrap he is uttering, but the photos of her grow progressively more disturbing. She became as calculated as her teacher and should have been incarcerated for far more than three years. The sentencing was a spit in the face of the women she branded.
When she comes out of prison, it would be justice if she never gets a decent job ever again but is constantly recognised for the manipulative self centred B that she is (and likely always was deep inside). Unfortunately she will probably write a book and go on lots of talk shows, earning more money and fame from her vile personality.
Allison Mack seems to have been both victimized and, eventually, a victimizer herself. She wasn’t dumb, but she was under-educated (having spent her formative years acting), young, and very emotionally insecure. She felt something was missing from her life, and when Keith Raniere told her, “What you need is more NXIVM,” she didn’t have the confidence to say, “No, it’s not.” In short, she was the ideal person for a cult to recruit, and this was not lost on Raniere and his inner circle.
Well, in my books she was extremely dumb! There are hundrets of millions young people around the world, who has had even less education, and they still wouldn’t fall in that kind of nonsense. Btw, there are lots of very tallented and succesfull actors and actresses in the world, who have proven to be idiots outside their trade.
I'm sure there were educated women duped as well, seeing that at least one was a doctor. If anything screams "educated" it's the title of "doctor" or "lawyer".
NXIVM seems eerily similar to Scientology (the self-review of vulnerabilities, the self-improvement courses, the pyramid of ranks, the collateral, the degradation,...), and Alison's fate/role also seems to parralel Tom Cruise's in quite a few ways. Ten years from now, I'd be interested to hear how she looks back on the whole thing. I hope she finds a way to repair some of the damage (to herself and others), and to do good in the world.
These cults are but the surface level in Hollywood, I am more curious about the potential cults that pull in billionaires that remain undetected today.
The "we're hungry" part is so heartbreaking. You know they were truly starving with those calorie limits and extreme control over the most menial of things.
It’s an Old ploy to allow them to control your body and mind. Don’t think I’ve Ever heard of a cult that doesn’t use food as a control. If you deprive the body, the mind quickly follows.
That is Generalized Anxiety Disorder speaking, most likely. Sadly, I understand it well. It comes from a trauma background, typically. And if that is the case for Allison, she was additionally vulnerable. Hard to understand how anyone could be such a joiner as to get hoodwinked by this Keith Rainier psycho, though. I guess that love bombing stuff can get to people. He wanted her money and social connections, so he hoovered her right into where he wanted her.
@@therealdeal3672 Exactly. Abusers often seek out people with prior trauma because we’re so used to abuse that we have a hard time recognizing it. Not to excuse the abuse she committed, of course.
I am also sociophobic and neurotic, as well as extremely introverted, so I understand. She needed actual psychological help, and the cults often lure people in in such state
I felt the same at that part of this video, and in my life at the time- I’m the same age as Mack. Also just being in your twenties is rough. Before therapy, I would hang onto to the words of Oprah who would say very encouraging things about getting older- especially approaching 40 and being more confident and secure with yourself. Maybe some of it is maturing with age, but therapy not being free or even very accessible in the USA-- well, I think that is a reason cults can’t flourish.
The whole "at cause" thing and victim-blaming -- he completely ripped off Scientology. He wasn't even imaginative and smart enough to think up his own cult junk. It's so important for people to have general knowledge of the world, so they can recognize these things.
@@notthegoodgirl It is curious how other former Scientologyst, created their own cults as well. Other example would be Jim Humble, the " creator" of the MMS.
It's really sad how cults can take a good person and twist their morality in knots. I sadly have first hand experience with it, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
@Marshall Carwood someone who is a good person doesn’t suggest torturing others. You suggesting she should get solitary confinement which is torture as humans are social beings, is a red flag on your person.
I'd like to presume she was a good person, but none of use can ever be sure. What I strongly believe is that Allison despite relative success she found herself lacking in purpose and fulfillment. Thus when a crazy cult came along and claimed to offered her these things she divide in with enthusiasm swallowed whatever they feed her no questions ask.
@Marshall Carwood If only it was so, but the way human mind works is interested in truth and "good" only as secondary things. Primarily human mind strives for internal consistency meaning that if at first the person is convinced that the group is beneficial to them, and is a force for "good", they will start to rationalize everything else to keep that view stay true in their minds. Black becomes white, evil becomes good, abuse becomes love. And the person will keep forming rationalizations and apologies to their convictions until something causes enough cognitive dissonance towards the other direction to break the illusion that was built by the mind itself with the instructions slowly fed to it by the abusive group.
Branding is no different from a tattoo...YES IT IS!! Tattoos can be removed, if you freaking brand someone with a white hot poker, cutting through their skin, that CANNOT be removed! God, the stupidity of those people saying that.
I was born and raised in upstate NY. It was wiiiiild hearing what was actually going on in the weird rich people cult we all knew was shady, but never to this extent.
Oddly enough I was in this school. A personal trainer friend brought me in to the Vancouver location, I met Sarah who was a teacher there at the time. When I interviewed for the school it was sold to me as self development and then when money was paid and I was enrolled, it was vastly different. I did not go more than a couple times - cult vibes are clear and evident right away. It was a large sum of money that I lost, but super greatful that my gut told me to run and I listened.
Consider yourself lucky that you felt the vibe early on. I've also spent money on bogus Amway presentations but see it now as a hard lesson on why people get manipulated. It shouldn't bee a bad thing to want to hang out with others who relish in improving themselves though. Fuck fake gurus.
Been watching the new series “The Vow” coming on HBO and gotta say…. Allison Mack is just extra disgusting to me when put up against the other women involved in Dos. Her performing during Keith’s 12 day bday celebration and singing her little love song to him really turning up the acting and emotion on stage with tears in her eyes with KR in the front row was not only gross but also super uncomfortable to watch. I couldn’t imagine the secondhand embarrassment those in attendance felt. Her messages to KR talking about she needed compensation for delivering new Dos members bc she “hadn’t got a paycheck in awhile” and he told her to deliver a specific woman and she’d be paid. She was definitely down for the cause as long as she was being paid and allowed to live the lifestyle that looked like something to outsiders. She got off lightly imo.
I'm obsessed with the second season of The Vow! It's so good. I can't believe they got former members (like Nancy) to speak on camera. Not only is it entertaining and has me hooked, but I think it's a case study in how cults operate before, during, and after the downfall. It's fascinating, and HBO has done a great job.
@@notthegoodgirl same. I’m super obsessed w the series. As far as Nancy goes I truly believe a lot of her agreeing to film is to somewhat cover her own ass but I do understand her wanting to shed a light on the not so bad times. I don’t think she knew everything happening within the group either. I feel super sorry for her daughters though. Nancy was CLEARLY glazed over about Keith from the beginning. It’s kinda gross watching her kiss him in the mouth and linger then her daughter run right up behind her 🤮 then Nancy talking about Lauren and Keith’s relationship making her feel “betrayed”. It amazes me so many fell victim. He’s gross 🤢
Not to mention Alison is WAY BELOW AVERAGE for an actress. Was she used to doing favors to get roles in big productions or did she have family ties to Hollywood?
@TattoodPun26 Okay, here's the plan. I want you to rob the closest bank to you this Friday. Then come back to this comment thread and I'll let you know where to send half of the money that you stole....... Now if you really did all of that, does that make me a "bank robber"..??
Allison Mack has been a child actor since she was a kid. I have a feeling she was taken advantage of in the industry, which is why she felt so lost growing up and looked for guidance. Not justifying her behavior, of course, as it's deplorable. She should have gotten a much longer prison sentence, and it's sad she'll be out soon... I don't know if Allison can come back from this, tbh. For all we know, she'll link up with Keith once she's out of prison and will do things for him while he stays in prison. I loved her in Smallville and saw myself in her character, but that's the problem, she played a character her entire life.
This has all the red flags of an abusive relationship. The love bombing, charming her and making her feel special, escalating control, isolation from friends and family, etc. I used to be that person who always said: why can't you just walk away.....until I was manipulated into an abusive relationship. You can't leave because you fear for your life. I feel so sorry for Allison, she was very young when she was recruited and didn't stand a chance. On the other hand, I got away from my abuser by fleeing the country with the help of my family. And I can now safely say that after living through it first hand, I can now very clearly see the red flags.
Im glad you got away safely - many women are dead - i too was in something and the subtle manipulation is devastating - getting away shows a lot of courage and strength
no sorry for criminals, no excuses for bad behavior, own up your flaws and your actions, she deserved more than 3 years, and people should appreciate what they have instead of yearning for what they dont.
When Raniere speaks, words come out but he says nothing (same with Nancy Salzman). It's incredibly sad and tragic that so many got lured in by this sociopath.
Nail on the head. He's trying very hard to sound intelligent, like what's coming out of his mouth is revolutionary or thought-provoking, but it's mostly just empty and fake. It's trademark narcissistic behavior.
@@daylamore3300 Tbh I’ve heard that kind of thing is a deliberate tactic to lure in only the most gullible. They didn’t want anyone smart enough to realize he was talking crap because that person might not follow them mindlessly
I'm glad others spotted this! It's actually impressive that he can talk so much and say nothing at all. I guess this is part of keeping it vague for everyone - like a horrorscope - and then being very specifically abusive in private.
Keith : "Yes indubitably, and to summarize, hypotenuse photosynthesis is vastly incredibly phythogrean, you have to accept that fibonaaci sequence parliament hordurves supercalifragilisticexpilalidocious" Allison : "👁👄👁 THAT. PART. OMG. LIFE CHANGING 🙏😭"
Starving the cult members was a surefire way to keep them brainwashed. You can't think straight when you're starving, dizzyness, disorientation and confusion are a result and that makes it pretty easy for someone to get into your head.
@@justinbarnett9476 I don't understand how they survived that, when I was anorexic I did 1200 kcal for months and I was so underweight it was life threatening.
Yes. And it means you HAVE to look to others for support, and you can't think straight, nothing makes sense enough to think for yourself. You have to become dependant on others.
I once worked for a woman who ran a housekeeping business in my county. She told me that she had worked for Raniere. She was a sketchy woman, and her company went under, and they moved to Hawaii. I can only imagine what she's doing there.
@@dobi287 not from what I understood I believe she was in it for like 4 months in the begining and then got out. Of course I didnt follow this as hardcore as some but all around its a vucked up thing.
There isn't a single predators in search of victims on their own. There is a entire network of supporters, enablers and co-predators lurking about, which makes these cults even more sinister. Great job!
This doc is so well put together. horrific, and I have a little story to add. Alison Mack and “actress” Bonnie Piesse (Star Wars) tried to recruit my partner . They were at a comic con my partner volunteered at and was sat with bonnie, they got to talking about life etc, as you do politely and with boundaries. Bonnie told my partner she and NIXIVM could solve all my partners troubles and to make him think differently all he has to do it to pay £2,500 and go and live in LA and take their seminars. She brought my partner over to Allison asked she permission Allison looked and my partner up and down, smiled and said yes, we’d love to have you. (I was sitting another guest at the comic con and we were next to Allison) so I heard and witness the permission and creepy look. P,s we/ he didn’t go to LA or their “seminars”
@@encycl07pedia- Partner is a normal word for long time lover/boyfriend/spouse/fiancee. It's what I call my man too after 12 years because I'm way too old to have a "boyfriend" and we're not married.
@@DerLiesl lol. Anyone that uses "partner" to describe their significant other/boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/fiance/fiancee is a dispassionate fool. "Partner" is a term totally devoid of any romantic connotation. "Mate" has more passion behind it and it's a scientific term. "Howdy, partner!" is not a pick-up line. Being named a partner in a business isn't innuendo. Do you think the "boy" part of "boyfriend" means a male minor? Because it doesn't.
@@limitedtime5471 I prefer using precise terms, and I mentioned preferring using the term "boyfriend," not "boy." But obviously reading comprehension isn't your strong suit.
I don't know if Allison is crazy or evil, but it's shocking how someone gives out an image and you believe it and turns out a complete different person
She wasn't always like that and developed into it. It is well proven you can manipulate most humans into it if they are emotionaly vulnerabel. It is not an excuse but an explanation.
This story really had me thinking about how highly narcissistic people are vulnerable to collectivist groups. When fitting in and getting attention is your only compass, you are eassily led astray, to be a victim or co abuser.
@@davidgreenwood6029 This has nothing to do with narcissim. It can happen to everyone when you are vulnerable. People really need to stop this inflationary wrong use of the word narcissim.
As someone who has fell victim to 2 mlm's, was in and out churches and Christian groups for 7 years (I saw some similarities in this doc) This documentary is big reminder to protect my mind at all cost because I have found myself listening and believing others over myself.
I agree with you about the correlation with MLMs they are breeding ground for manipulation . I once was very shy and to overcome it I decided to do door to door vacuum cleaner - it was an MLM model & worked as a crew - it was absolutely unbelievable what you can get people to do with the right technique and practice . But like any skill it can be used for good or it can be used for evil - in the case of the vacuum cleaners - I would overhear the guys talking about going to bars at night after selling all day and these guys were monsters - I told the guy who owned the office that he had a great skill but if not careful it blowback on him - he said I didn't have to be there if I didn't like it - so that was my 3 week career as door to door sales - but I have never been as shy again
Briana, ... believing others over yourself... I can relate. Never again. Stay strong. "No" is a complete sentence. Practice saying No to Everything, and use your time for activities and studies that are important and fun for You. Best wishes from me to you, rock on.
This is hands down the scariest insecure-sweet-girl-turns-manic-dictator-story I ever heard. The worst part is that she didn't become a tyrant and cult leader on her own but as a devoted follower of a guru. This is so messed up, it haunts me!
@@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess If you look into the past of every bad person, you will always find something that made them the way they became. To me that doesn't mean, it excuses every cruelty. If it excuses it to you, that is your opinion.
To be honest, as terrible her actions are, something tells me that if she wasn’t completely financially dependent on Keith, she would have found other ways to get her things done WITHOUT doing whatever she did to others. It almost felt like she was broke and desperate and begging for money, and Keith put her in a position where all she had to do, was the things he told her, and then she would get paid. This was a woman who had no money, no other friends other than the ones made there, she was starved, I think that’s hardly a good combo for critical thinking.
It is taking more understanding and empathy than I have to really feel a strong sense of sympathy for Allison after the branding ceremony. Yeah, it was hers initial's that made the brand too. That tells me she how much she enjoyed the process, and that is sick. She used the power she was given to victimize others and I don't think she would have willingly stopped or come to her own senses.
I don’t think there is enough to really say she enjoyed it. It seem to me it's obvious that these women would do anything to stay on Keith's good side. That would include coming up with new and "innovative" ideas. I bet that would fall over each other in the attempt to come up with the next "good" idea and be recognised in his eyes and get praise. That said I think you are right that she wouldn't have gotten out of this mindset if someone else hadn't taken her out of it forcefully. Who knows if she really has gotten out of it. I do still have sympathy for her, but I'm also not going to just forget what she herself has done and is responsible for.
Could have been so much brainwashed that she actually endorsed and "became " the one he wanted her to be...In a sense she was the most unconsciously manipulated manipulative one ...if that makes sense
willingly getting branded is same as willingly having thousands of tattoo needle marks that comprise tattoos. I dont understand the criminality part of the branding, it's weird and sick but they chose to allow themselves to have this done.
I have survived abuse by a psychopath and am now working with victims if this type of abuse. Having seen Ms Mack, I am not astonished she got entangled in that psychopath‘s net and with her natural ambition to excel was easily coerced into becoming a co-perpetrator. I am glad she has to take accountabiliy and hope she can overcome this dark phase and heal.
It's funny you should say that cuz I myself was also watching Smallville today all afternoon I just at the stop for awhile in one of the episodes for season 1 Allison's acting career is over
Saw her on just this documentary. Did not get likeable from those sad promotional videos of her lying. She is also Far BELOW AVERAGE for a typical actress. Parents raise your kids right please 🙏.
@oponomo she IS far below average in the looks department, and for an actress looks are important. Unattractive, just being real. If she had a great voice or something, but I don't think she's known for that.
This video was very well done! I missed all of this story until I saw she was released today and have been working backwards to catch up. The only thing I do not understand is if the group had Kristin Kreuk, why would they feel like Allison Mack was a bigger star that they needed to pursue at all costs? I wonder when Kristin got out and she must feel bad for bringing Allison in.
You can clearly see Allison was depressed when she first was introduced to Keith. It almost seems like she had no one in her life that had was backing her up or letting her feel comfortable to open up to. So as soon as Keith talks to her she feels that finally there is someone willing to listen to her and that she can share her feeling with. That made an easy victim.
@@truthprevails4386 who is talking about fault here? Nobody put blame on anyone here, Alison’s feelings are her own. HOWEVER, it’s no secret that Keith took advantage of it. THAT, is not Alison’s fault. You don’t wake up one day when you’re depressed and anticipate someone is about to exploit you.
Depends on how widely you're casting the net of "cult", but yeah definitely not everyone. Pretty much if you are susceptible to "hypnosis" then yeah -- a cult would have a field day with you.
@@TJ-Judge well, I think it can happen to anyone. Because most of these things do not appear as a cult from the start. We just need to be extra careful, when making decisions.
Agreed. You have to be very desperate - in your own way. And what Raniere said may sound like jibberish to us, but it's exactly what they wanted to hear.
@@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024 she black? 👊🏾 i know race has nothing to do with it but its always good to see our talent get recognised. May it continue for a long time.
I totally agree! This was awesome! To be honest, I’m usually not a fan of your long intros but I enjoyed this from start to finish! And I can tell you really did your research! This was awesome! 👏👏👏
@@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024 I was kind of attracted to the fact the information was presented fairly ! But I could see how you appreciate she is also black ! Malcomb x said never trust the white liberal !
This is such an interesting look at this topic, because as much as Allison Mack is a perpetrator, she was also a victim too. She was manipulated into joining this cult, convinced that all her endeavors were meaningless, and that she could only be happy by joining this organization. This of course, does not excuse any harm she did to others, but it's a chilling story about how cults can turn their victims into predators.
Im not so sure about that. The portion where the author kept saying "LIE 1,2,3, etc". That was her knowing full well that SHE was the abuser here and lying to recruit. She knows to say the good things, even though none of that was the reality. Just cause she's cute doesn't mean she's manipulated into this completely. I think Keith found a partner, and she loved being that partner. If she was ugly or older, she'd be seen as an accomplice, which she is.
Beware of anyone who proclaims his own “greatness”, claims to have all the answers, and says things like “Only I can fix it” and “I am the Chosen One!”
Hits hard when you realize the Chloe Sullivan character was created for Smallville. And not only was she Superman's soon to be forgotten best friend, she was also the lover he jilted for Lana, then Louis & Diana of Themyscyra. So its almost as if the fall of Alisson Mack is the fall of Chloe Sullivan. She fell for the very schemes she was outfitting on screen. She then became a supervillain. A Supervillain guys. The Granny Goodness to Keith Ranjere's Darkseid, if you will. In the end no one could save her. In the end she was enslaved. In the end Remy Zero was asking Clark to save them, from Chloe. But he had given up being Superman & gone on to a life as Cain on Lucifer. Damn. Very well done documentary.
This absolutely breaks my heart…I loved Smallville when I was growing up. It was one of my favorite tv shows. I feel a lot like Michael Rosenbaum who played Lex…wanting to see Allison step up and apologize for her friends’ behavior when they invaded his home like that. Allison had such a promising career ahead of her with Smallville, and it’s sad that they saw this and recruited her into this. But then while she may have initially been manipulated, she chose to start becoming the manipulator. It’s sad because the victim became the abuser, and we have seen this sort of thing in cult behavior and even toxic relationships. I hope that she can recover, but her life after prison will never be the same again…I doubt anyone would want to work with her after this.
Agreed! I hope when she's out (and after extensive therapy), she spreads awareness about cult indoctrination, coercive control, and continues making amends.
I want to say that she has a chance to regain her career but who knows I do hope she apologizes to her former costar Michael Rosenbaum for her & her friends behavior.
I think you struck a good balance between depicting her as both victim and abuser. People seem to think that at some point you magically stop being a victim and become a fully informed participant, but I think it's more accurate that Mack and those like her are both simultaneously. I hope she recovers fully and lives a genuinely happy life after this mess.
I envy people who really know what they want in life, specifically regarding their career. This girl really did know she loved to perform and then there comes this man telling her that is not what she wants in life and she is made to believe it. What the hell. 😡
You believe what you want to believe, if you feel sorry for this woman I feel sorry for you. All this shows is the Devil can tempt anyone to the dark side.
The Alison Mack interviews are all so weird. She’s talking in this constant stream and is actually saying nothing at all. Knowing what’s behind it all makes it so much creepier.
If you listen to him carefully you know he's obviously rubbish. This is why we should start listening to the actual contents inside the speech instead of how they're delivered
This was really surprising. I read one article on this story, but didn't learn much else about it, so I had a total misunderstanding of Allison Mack's role in everything. The story by her ex co-star from Smallville was so different from anything I thought I knew about her during the time she was in.
I can't stop re-watching this. This was *so well done*. Thanks so much for your hustle. I can't even imagine the amount of hours that went into researching/pic gathering/clip gathering/script writing/editing this monster. Liked and subscribed -- I'm so excited to see more content from you in the future.
Agreed. I just found this channel and was looking at the MLM videos and found this one. I thought it was a copied professional documentary for TV at first, it was so well researched and edited.
@@SonicAvalanche that's really kind of you to recommend the documentary. I will look for it and watch it this evening. Thanks and have a great weekend.
I've watched 3 documentaries on NXIVM, The Vow, Seduced: Inside the Nxivm Cult, and this one, The Rise and Fall of Allison Mack. All 3 are very informative from similar, yet different perspectives. Thank you.
I actually had class with her at LBCC when she was on house arrest. Weekends she’d fly to go to court, sometimes weeks. The reason she could go was because it was some sort of “self improvement” or “community service” to go to school. She used a burner phone and only communicated via phone call. Phil 14 - Philosophy of Religion was the class. Specter was the name of the prof ironically. She was insane, she snapped at people in class sometimes. I helped her with symbolic logic (a different philosophy class philosophy majors had to take), went to her parents house near Los Alamitos, had no clue about her. Went inside and eventually noticed her ankle bracelet. Well technically first her giant tan boots that didn’t match some skimpy leopard print dress she had on. We were at the table and I looked down to see what I thought it was only to confirm. When I left an unmarked white suburban with CA exempt plates rolled by….I didn’t interact with her much after that.
interesting, I always imagine that these people in trouble awaiting trials are basket cases of nervousness and fear but often it turns out it was no big deal to them and they went about life normally during. I sure couldnt.
How is Allison able to speak so well? Unlike most people, she rarely if ever stammers nor uses filler words such as ‘um’ or ‘like.’ She is so eloquent and concise when she speaks. Even on Smallville, I noticed how she delivered her line with such clear diction. How does she do it?
the research! the editing! the script! the quality! This is what Shane Dawson thinks he does. You're so so talented and I just know you're gonna be big on TH-cam and more 💜
This is so scary! I'm so sorry for the women who got caught up in the awful scheme under Allison and Keith! This is disgusting, honestly. And I'm so glad Kelly Clarkson and Emma Watson never responded to Allison!
I think Emma & Kelly knew a cultist when they smell one or their publicists may have done some serious looking into Keith & said 'Oh hell no don't talk to Allison she's involved in a cult & you don't want that on your image stay away." Good on them for staying away.
I always have a problem taking NXIVM seriously because I've spent decades working in a pharmacies and for a long time Nexium was one of the most popular treatments for acid reflux
When I first saw this story I had to google Nexium because I take it all the time for heart burn 😂 & I thought wait, what? I’m taking drugs from a cult??? Hahah so dumb 🙈🙈
Need some Nexium after watching this amazing but disturbing NXIVM doco! Horrify but compelling. Interesting about how USA needs to develop laws on Coercive Control to try & control Sociopaths who’d control others & prevent this happening again, though cults & cult leaders will Always prey on the vulnerable.
I hope that Michael Rosenbaum has her on his podcast when she gets out. There are a lot of questions that only she can answer, and because she always seems to be giving a performance, I think you need someone who knows her from off camera to get her to really open up. The sad thing is, I know Chloe inspired a lot of women in their career choices, and I think for that reason it's important to note that you can still be fan of the character without being a fan of the actress. If Chloe inspired someone to be a journalist or a computer expert, those are not years wasted.
My daughter attended high school w/ Allison Mack ,Orange County High school of the Arts. She was a darling & talented young girl. I hope she is doing well after this unfortunate & nefarious event.
I have watched so much on NXIVM. I don't understand how anyone thinks he is so intelligent and a visionary. The videos of him he is never saying anything that makes any sense. And everyone just nods and agrees. What is he making people think they are learning or gaining from his babbling. India also discussed how nasty Mack would be and a lot of people thought the brand was not only his initials but also hers.
The irony of it all is that the woman thought this is a cult for women and improving their strengths when it just was another cult leaded by a man and created only for his desires.... Very well done Josie!,💞👌😘
I had phobias, panic attacks and anxiety. I have found a WONDERFUL psychologist, he brought me back to life. And once when I left him my usual “thank you, you are amazing”comment - he called me and in a very kind and professional way said “that’s enough, You have to stop mentally relying on me, you have to stop admiring me, live your life with the skills I gave you”. Now I see how healthy that was!!
When I left my therapist I thanked him for saving my life he told me he only listened to me and reminded me of what you I told him previously that's why I take notes I just taught you how to heal yourself
😃
just now u saw that? LMFAO
Wow, That's a true psychologist, and most importantly that's a humble human being. Many people would take advantage of being in a position of power over another person.
@@yamiletsoler3464 it's also just like a common very basic rule that therapists can't be too personally entangled with clients - otherwise power comes into play.
That's why self help circles can become dangerous if not managed with professionalism.
Same in real life - If you want to truly help people it's better to be able to let go- otherwise you might do it for yourself.
Something so eerie about the clip where Alllison sits in awe listening to Keith. She looks at him like he is a god to her. Can't help but cringe. Keith using so many words to say absolutely nothing at all and to Allison it seems like she is hearing something so divine and mindblowing.
Exactly, he said a whole lot of nothing.
Women love a story, they're easily manipulated.
The first time I saw it, many years ago, I was incredibly freaked out. Although I was roughly high-school-aged, I remember thinking, "This guy just memorized a thesaurus and this crazy girl is eating it up."
@@Enscriptiv he didn't even tell her a story
@@Enscriptiv *stupid people. I don't need to be a man to understand that he is saying nothing (curious to know that so many had the same thought while hearing hm speak) while she looks like she is hearing god explaining the meaning of the life. It's kinda weird see that cute young woman smile with innocence and then realize she is monstrous inside, pretty sure nothing is left from what she once was...
She enjoyed bossing those woman, literally calling them slaves and even branding them which is considered mutilation, how she got only 3 years is beyond me.
While I feel sorry for her for getting manipulated in the first place, she deserved more than the piddly 3 years in prison she got. She destroyed a lot of lives of the women she recruited.
On one hand, I agree with you.
On the other hand, she was a victim as well as a perpetrator. She was making decisions on 500 calories a day, while she was going broke. She was not 100% at fault, due to coercion, but she is 100% responsible for her actions.
I really don't see Allison Mack abusing anyone outside of Keith's influence. At least he got a decent consequence. I wonder how the women who were victimized directly by Mack feel about the consequences she received, I wonder if they think it's just.
@@jayneharris3888 As anorexia survivor, no one could convince me to abuse others at my worst. Many abusers are also victims, it’s not an excuse.
@@sourgreendolly7685 , personally, I would never abuse anyone, either, I can't conceive of a scenario wherein I would abuse another woman, for any reason. Like every woman I know, I have been subjected to abuse, for large time periods, I would never do that, to anyone.
No doubt, Mack is 100% responsible for her actions.
@@jayneharris3888 you only know women that have been accused for long time periods?
@@sourgreendolly7685 I agree. Just cause she was abused doesn’t mean she gets off for being an abuser. That’s why I think she should have gotten so much more time in prison than she got.
Allison was most certainly a victim of NXIVM, but it's ALSO true that she became one of its worst members. At some point, you can't claim victimhood anymore, and Mack definitely crossed that line. She's lucky that she only got a few years. She should be doing life right alongside him.
yea like michael jackson had a tough upbringing...totally agree
At least she's free now and rebuild her life.
@@zainmudassir2964you say that like it’s a good thing. She should be locked up for the rest of her life
Excuse me? Enjoy Scientology
That’s fair assessment
Keith says a lot of words…without saying anything at all. I am shocked that people were so captivated by him.
Charles Manson was similar, only more interesting in a kooky sort of way.
@@megalopolis2015 ...as well as a talented singer/songwriter!
Word salad. I felt like I was listening to Michael Scott of Dunder Mifflin paper company.
Have you seen religion
THIS.........................is JUST like the last POTUS. THIS is him.
Reasons we should teach human psychology and manipulation in school from the start. So many people would be saved from abuse if they saw the red flags as they happen.
Yes!! I got sucked into marriage with a Narcissist and had NO idea. Children and teens NEED to learn about manipulation.
Samey same same here.
They are doing, it's called CRT and it's such a great thing, it impresses on Black kids how they have been oppressed all of their lives thanks to the white man. On white kids it impresses on them how they oppress the black or ethnic kids in their class. There's nothing sinister about this at all its a natural thing so just let it all happen. It's like being taught by a man in a dress and makeup with a big dangly thing between his legs right? It's fun for kids you know. Quite sure they won't grow up being weird at all!
@@colinfarren8326 What does this have to do with the topic at hand?
@@colinfarren8326 hey pal if you’re so fixated on something that literally isn’t happening in schools that you’re commenting about it on a video that has absolutely nothing to do with it, you’re unhealthily obsessed and you need to take a step back.
It's incredible that anyone could convince another person into willing slavery and branding. Cults are not a joke. Pure evil
look at the world wide plandemic.
it's easy.
Exactly
Can’t help but feel like it’s people in desperate situations who want to run away from their responsibilities, or people who are weak minded in general
@@therealbuba Exactly! I've heard the accounts of the branding too and if any woman says they were forced, that's just not true. These were grown adults The worst I heard was one woman describe how another woman held onto her legs because she said she was squirming from the pain of the branding. Good grief, if you can't get up while some woman is holding your legs, that's your problem.
Well when the jerk feeds you a low protein diet you become more dependent on him than you could ever imagine. These brainwashed pawns just need a good protein shake or two or how ever many it takes to get them belligerent.
She gets 3 years in prison for sex trafficking but people who sell a plant can get decades...
Damn! I didn't think of it that way
The problems with the American justice system are many....
It's one of the most fucked up things about the American Justice System
AMAZING isn’t it? My boyfriend, who is a recovering heroin addict with 7 years clean, spent 6 years in prison for a small amount of heroin. He was a first time, non-violent offender with a serious problem he needed help with, yet societies answer was to make an example out of him because he was a police officer at the time he was arrested. 6 years! 6 years away from our children and families and friends. All while this woman gets 3 years for literally recruiting women to be sex slaves abused on every single level. Now, I’m certainly not saying that what my boyfriend did was right. He was completely in the wrong. But he was never selling the heroin. Only using it for personal use. I wish someone could explain to me how 6 years of his life was taken from him for harming himself and himself alone, while only HALF that time was taken from hers for luring other women to an indescribably terrible fate.
how did she sex traffic ?
That footage of Keith making her cry when they first met should be shown on high schools all over the country. We need to let the kids who are about to embark on independence know that this is a real threat they could some day go up against.
A whole unit on cult warning signs.
Ya…there aren’t enough cult documentaries to learn from…..
@@comfykeegs the "cult explained" episode from the explained netflix series is pretty powerful
the sad thing is, instead they train kids to think "conservatives" are a threat..(i say this having a local teacher vanish after a parent played a recording of her class at a PTA meeting... for exactly that behavior...) cult behvaior religious, political or whatever, is never good, extremes are never good... i will never understand people who are incapable of seeing this, yet claim to have a proper education in history...
we need to do alot with our education system, bring it back to center, to teaching facts, critical thinking, logic and reality, and teach people, as said above, to spot the signs and if nothing else, avoid being sucked in themselves...
im so tired of modern society....so much hateful toxic bullshit...
Yeah. Teaching impressionable kids and young adults what to think instead of HOW to think. 🤷
I was in San Francisco in the 70s. I was in a very low point in my life. I was approached on the street by 2 young women. They spoke to me about coming to take testing to help me get over my depression and problems. I was leery. How would strangers help me if my own family couldn't. This was unsolicited. It's not like I went to a therapist, looking for advice.
I didn't want to get dragged into a building, or argue on the street. Instead, I made an appointment for 'testing' for the next day. Of course I never went back, and avoided that area if at all possible.
Afterwards, I found out it was Scientology. I had been raised fundamentalist evangelical, something I no longer believed, despite how young I was. My gut told me this was a cult, and to run as far and fast away from this as I could. I'd been through this before and didn't want to go back.
This was long before internet, so info wasn't as available as it is today. I consider myself lucky, able to listen to my instinct, and not get involved.
As I watch this I see a lot of parallels to Scientology I was wondering if I was the only one
When I was in my twenties I worked with the girl who said she was a Scientologist but she didn't act any way that you see them acting today she went home took care of her kid she was a single parent and she worked regularly and kept her money herself to raise her kid with
@@ItsMe-ic7on they have public members and then ones u read about is my understanding she still would have had to pay for advance courses.. it’s been awhile but my understanding is a lot of what the teach is useful and helpful.. then after awhile it gets bat shit crazy
@@ItsMe-ic7on Yeah, like how people should behave. Believe what you want, don't be trying to push your beliefs on me.
The Church of Scientology has a huge HQ in SF, I should know as I've seen it and once when I lived in SF, my friends and I went inside. Some woman told me she was on track in med school to graduate and only had 1 quarter left to graduate but she was very stressed out. That's when she found Scientology so she dropped out of med school and became a recruiter.... she said her parents were devastated but she supposedly was happy with her decision. Sad that people seek out cults over real therapy to deal with their anxieties
Its disappointing how some naive people still consider her innocent and brainwashed. It was an organized crime and she completely knew what she was doing and what would be the outcome if caught. Notice how she asked to hide all the evidence completely show the signs of professional criminal.
You have to keep tabs on your women! Just look at the porn industry, 6 million full-time and thousands at failed audions every minute..women are naturally promiscuous which is why it's difficult to find a true one.
So true. She is not a victim at all. And she had her sentencing reduce cause celebrity privilege. I cant stand these Hellywood elitists.
Personally I would disagree. She was a young professional with a great career, threw it and all her savings away to become what? An abused slave and cult recruiter? With hindsight she sees how wrong it was and her complicity in it but at the time it wasn't a criminal exercise in her mind. Guilt is often felt for our actions even though we don't understand why we're doing them. She was completely manipulated into doing what she did, even if we see her as accountable for her own part in this horrid mess.
Exactly!!
@@ferventheat At the start you could say that she was lured into this. Later on though, there is absolutely no way that she didn't think this was criminal. She started seeing herself the way Keith was seeing himself. She realized she can play God. She realized she can be the master and that there are people who are willing to be her slaves. She felt the power. She knows full well it was wrong. But who cares if it makes her feel good.
Of course she'll say sorry. Did you seriously think that in a decade she didn't realize that? Only when the FBI got involved was it wrong? Nope. The sorry was for the public, like you, who she can squeeze some sympathy out of.
You know as someone who has an anxiety disorder and depression I feel like if Allison had spoken to a therapist instead of going to self-help courses this could have turned out incredibly different. Mental health should be seen so much more as a viable option than having to suffer through things by yourself and potentially falling victim to some incredibly manipulative people in the self help scene.
Also imagine paying someone thousands of dollars for them to treat you like absolute garbage. The audacity
exactly, more pscicology less religions, cults and sects
part of me will never forgive Kristen Kreuk for introducing her to that cult. Maybe she would have gotten the help she needed if she had not made that connection. I know she was a grown woman after the fact and could have left at any time and the responsibility ultimately lands with her, rightfully so.
But if Kristen didn't make that intro then Allison is finishing up her bachelor's degree and is not in prison as we speak.
No one will make you stand up for yourself, be it a cultist, life coach or psychologist. What do you mean exactly by "mental health option"? If you realize you're vulnerable, you have to fix this pretty much yourself.
@@eye1_s mentally stable people typically don't fall victim to cults. that's what is meant by the original comment. cult leaders prey on people who aren't doing well mentally.
@@jdzspace33
I don't think it's wise to blame an actress who tried it out, found it interesting (nothing bad yet), brought in Alison, got bored and left afterwards. Allison chose to stay of her own free will. With all the damage done, to coldly blame someone that, as far as I know, had nothing to do with all the bad stuff that went on within the cult just isn't right. What we do know is that Allison did do those things and it sounds like she knew what she was doing. According to the video uploadeder's comment located above, she is attempting to do it again.
How Allison Mack only got 3 years is appalling! I know she turned on Keith, but come on. He got 120 years, she deserves more than 3 years.
Some privilege maybe?
Pretty sure got a life sentence in her own private prison.
She was being starved and deprived of sleep by Keith. Impossible to make sane decisions under that kind of coercive control. She is also a victim.
She should of got Life
@@hollieanderson-rambo17 You sincerely believe she owns the Federal Correctional Institute Dublin? Or you don’t think she’s really there? If people were not such strangers to critical thinking these cults would have a tougher time.
"I thought you always live your life inauthentically." this woman needed to see a therapist and needed healthy relationships in her life.
It’s also telling to her own narcissistic tendencies, narcissistic often assume others are inauthentic because they are.
Allison needs scientology.... asap
@@CiceroSapiens I don’t think he did. I don’t think it’s particularly cunning to find a pathological insecure person and bring to surface what they are trying to burry. If anything, I think he recognized she was just as narcissist as he was, and with the right amount molding he could get her to participate in his anti-social behavior and he was correct. She’s a victim in some ways, but ultimately equally a deviant. Being deeply wounded is one thing, letting those wounds manifest into the exploitation of others is unjustifiable.
@@michael-4k4000lol good one
Scientology, another cult. Funny.
I can remember being on some fan forums when Smallville was still in it's heyday, a lot of fans were concerned about this group that Allison was a part of waaaaay back then. We had no idea the extent of things that were happening, just that even then it felt like a cult and Allison was having some of her co-stars attend some of the events.
Wild that it came out so many years later.
Man, I grew up on this show. It was the only time I liked anything superman related. In fact, I originally skipped it because I didn't know much about superman and thought it was just another twin peaks or something. Some teen drama basic shit or whatever. But once I saw an episode and went 'wait... superman?' I was hooked.
I didn't even know about nxivm and failed to notice her appearing less in the show. And when I did, figured it was like lex actor. Just still can't believe such a talented actress could be manipulated like that so easily.
@simsim0566 *its heyday ("it's" means "it is")
Well, her Smallville co-star Kristin Kreuk is who actually got Allison involved to begin with, but she left before anything crazy happened. Allison stayed in, and she got twisted by Raniere's lies to the point she helped him with sex trafficking. But its not like she was some irredeemable psycho with no conscience - she got brainwashed by a man with a false messiah complex.
I remember the show and I always preferred Lana to Chloe.
Chloe was my favourite Smallville character as a kid. Blew my mind when all this came out. This is such a good exploration of how within exploitation often the groomed become the groomers, the abused become the abusers. So tragic and horrific.
Well put
@@lith4498 wow I didn't even know she did this .
You're right. But the abused don't always become the abuser.
Sometimes the abused become the protector or the fighter.
The ones that choose the wrong path and becomes a predator are scums of the earth.
@@wayfaringstranger4362 You're absolutely right too. Most abuse victims NEVER go on to abuse anyone else in fact they choose to do the opposite 💜
I agree I loved her as Chloe, Chloe is my favorite from Smallville I also liked Allison in Honey We Shrunk Ourselves, such a talent and career. Gone down the drain based on her own actions it’s a pure shame and horrifically sickening based on her own actions. I certainly don’t feel sorry for her and all who were knowingly branding and causing more horror and heartache for these women in this disturbing cult.😑
This is too good of a production to be made for TH-cam - well done Josie! Deserving of its own primetime on tv.
💯 agree
Who the hell still watches TV?
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lol do people under 40 still watch TV anymore?
@Life as we know it well she looks about 40 so that says alot
@@spamlogs2701 no need for that, sport!
At the heart of every cult is a dork trying to get some hot tail. Never fails.
Hahaha a little over simplified but very, very true
Yep also money and power sometimes. But yes, sex is usually it.
Was it ever confirmed that Mack and Keith had a sexual relationship?
@@jarrettreynolds4560 no, but i think they did
@@willldo4 The reason you want money and power is............SEX!
I’m curious about her costar that introduced her to the cult, Kristin. Where does she fit in all this? Did she leave? If so, when? How far into it did she get? Has she spoken on it or her experience?
I don’t know🤷🏽♂️
Kristin it is said was introduced by her ex boyfriend now Mark Hildred who continued with the cult like Alyson after Kristin quit.
I think Kristen quit a long time ago, pretty soon after Mack got involved. She left before all the Jness and DOS drama. She also completely avoids talking about the cult and if I remember correctly, she put out one statement when the whole thing was exposed. She never spoke about it again.
@bhargavipba Kristin's statements have been backed up by many members too, they vouched to her lack of involvement with criminal activities.
Exactly everybody giving her a pass
When I was listening to Keith talking to Allison at the table and what he was saying, all I could think of was: This guy is saying absolutely NOTHING and making his gobbly-gook sound important. He said NOTHING. And she was agreeing with the nonsense he was spouting off. Kudos to Catherine Oxenberg seeking to help get her daughter out of that situation.
his words reminded me of tons of people Ive dealt with or watched on media. A lot of people are full of shit.
Is called word salad. A lot of people speak it these days. They use lots of great sounding adjectives.
I ain’t understand shit he said neither
@@meca3836 There was nothing to understand, he really was saying nothing.
he was trying to dismantle the concept of good and bad, a technique many modern day gurus (read cult leaders) use to justify their own bad behaviour and get participants to follow along, abandoning or distorting ethics and morals to their own ends. That was the bit that got me anyway, Ive forgotten the rest cause it was all garbage. His point that people are stumped when asked what good or bad is, and that means its illusory, is false. People are stumped at any question thay havent been asked before or taken the time to think about, its an easy trick to pull. Thats why if you cant answer that question, its a good time to have a good long think about it, listen to some wise and benelovent thinkers on the topic, NOT cult leaders.
I did enjoy the fact the writers on Wilfred made it a point that her character was also arrested for her involvement in a cult, hence her sudden departure.
Wilfred is my favorite TV series of all time but it sometimes scares me with this and the Robin Williams cameo.
That’s some meta writing right there
Was it a cult? I thought she just had a psychotic break. I need to rewatch lol
She wasn't in a cult, she had a mental breakdown. Wilfred and Ryan's mom were the ones in the cult.
@@brainrich1358 Yeah, I had to rewatch some eps. The character was dropped as a damned lunatic. Not all that different except the character went to a mental home and not a prison.
"Society in itself if it continues where it's going will end up where it's headed." - Keith. Wow. What a genius! 🤯
@@Canyon2023 No, this cult has Matt Gaetz all over it.
He says a lot without saying anything
Yesterday is today's tomorrow ! Lmao !
I'm gonna sew this on to a pillow lol
ROFL lololol!
It sounds like she had depression and maybe low self esteem. She clearly felt like she was lacking something. This is exactly the type that cults prey on. When Keith says art is self condemnation. She should’ve said “ok well I can say the same to anything you say I should value then”
the problem is that so many people in a young age are confused and depressed.
She most likely had depression an low esteem I can tell by the way she spoke.
So do a lot of women her age and yet you don’t see them pulling this crap. Stop justifying evil people and their evil behavior
THAT................was her clue to RUN!.........
@@palmzombie3553 Nobodys is trying to justify her actions.
This is BY FAR the best telling of this story out of all the media that has been produced about it
the vow on HBO max
@pangaea_proxima vpn baby
Three years. She got three years. She was one of the ringleaders, she was the one who came up with the fun practice of branding their victims. I know a few people who got more years in the slammer than that because they liked to indulge in recreational drugs in the comfort of their own homes.
And she gets three years. Meanwhile Keith gets a hundred and twenty. A pretty face, some crocodile tears and a sob story and the justice system folds with a royal flush as they usually do.
Quell your tears people, Mack was no victim here. The majority of what she said during discovery was to garner sympathy for a lighter sentence. And it worked. Manipulation and intimidation will only get you so far in securing the participation of unwilling people in screwed up crap like this and frankly I'm appalled the judge and jury involved bought the bullshit she was selling.
I think that was Keith, remember Cult leaders specialize in suggestion and manipulation. He probably planted the idea, and she blurted it back to him. Keith is in my opinion, is not as wise as he claims to be, but he is for sure a master manipulator, sociopath, and ConMan. He’s run MLMs, he’s committed fraud, and made a cult disguised as self-help. Don’t forget who the real manipulator was, it was Keith.
I agree with you very much so I was just saying the same thing to someone as I was scrolling through the comments and saw yours
She left a high ranking show to follow some guy who was up to no good & it cost Allison her career I can't believe Allison would do something like this & I was shocked when Michael said she brought her friends over & they made a nuisance of themselves at his house. When they said Nxium was sent to recruit Allison it was like the Scientologist recruiting Tom Cruise.
Agreed. That they couldn’t see through this nonsense or even question it is ludicrous. And why? Ego. She wasn’t satisfied just being well-off as another highly-paid TV actress, she needed more. So she blindly followed a want-to-be-god (as are most cult leaders) because he knew how to play her.
@@joeanthony7759 And she was dating Sam who played Davis Bloom/Doomsday & they almost got engaged but I'm guessing he didn't like what this cult was doing to Allison. So he may have given her an ultimatum it was either him or Nxium & Allison chose to follow the man with a god complex who made her give up acting when she went there wanting help on how to be a better actress. Kristin Kreuk was there too but she got out before the shit hit the fan & Laura Vanderfort who was Supergirl had said on Michael Rosenbaum's podcast that Allison tried to recruit her. Obviously Allison tried to get some of her castmates involved but they either declined or they had other things going on although Laura said she hardly had any contact with Allison when she was on Smallville they never shared any scenes together.
That cult leader was very good at saying nothing, while talking a lot. The only meaning of what he says comes from the interpretation of the listener. Terrifying and magnificent.
He could have been a great politician ....
Sounds like all politicians
@@jrod1076 nah. They often have to be specific with what they’re saying. I’m not saying they care or deliver but this guy said nothing with many words.
if youre good become a politician, if youre great you become a cult of personality.
Much of what he said was meaningless, but there was some real content in there. The real message was: “Everything you think you know is wrong. Only I can give meaning to your life. Only I can reveal the truth to you.” To most people, this is laughable, but to people going through personal crises or mental health challenges, it can be compelling.
Nxivm is curious to me because we're not talking about desperate people seeking lord in a religion, but strong people searching for a professional coach. Ended up being abused in the exact same way the religious extremists did. Cult mentality is a terrible, yet fascinating thing to analyze.
Just goes to show anyone is susceptible to cult-like environments. It’s not something that happens to weak minded people. It’s just about how effectively the cult identifies your vulnerabilities and takes advantage of them.
@@inventedcool1076 This is why it's important to talk about cults and religions.
“Strong”
Exactly
“Strong people” 😂
Accidentally binged your whole channel and girl you are amazing at what you do. Freakin love you, internet stranger! Thank you sooo much for all of your hard work ❤❤❤❤❤
I’m binging through right now !
No one talks about how Kristen Kreuk recruited several women including Allison Mack. For almost a decade, Kreuk gave speeches to college females, singers, musicians, actresses, to expose them to NXIVM. She helped start several "projects" within NXIVM such as Girls by design, Juicy Peach, A Cappella Innovations, and the NXIVM College Student Survey. She suddenly fled back to Canada once she was accused in 2012, yet she continued to go on trips with high ranking members until 2014 as it was revealed in court via geotagged images. She should have served along side Allison Mack.
agreed
She is totally not kept accountable...that's baffling -_-
She escaped justice entirely?
Wow didn't know she was involved
That's because it was Allison that tried to recruit Kristen.
The look of devotion in her eyes as she looks at him, then the tears. Terrifying. The grip he had was on the molecular level.
I have thought the same thing. It’s scary.
She is an actress, she can look like any emotion. Don't buy it for minute.
@@c_farther5208 that is what I was thinking tread carefully with her.
And he's just spouting off word salad nonsense.
No, its her who was desperate to latch onto to him.
For someone who's supposed to be the "smartest man", he spends most of his time stating the obvious, or saying absolutely nothing.
In saying nothing, you can interpret what he said to your liking. See?
@@Quach7 Of course. It's incredibly frustrating to listen to though. I'm aware of how the tricks work due to years of forced counseling and my own interest in Psych and Criminal Psych. Every once in awhile I'll forget, then another one of em comes along, and it irritates all over again, like a scab that's almost healed that gets scraped.
I love my dad but he talked that way too. Either stating the obvious or simply talking and talking but really saying nothing. Finally one day I said to him: "Dad, if you don't have anything to say, don't say anything. But don't talk just because you think you have to say something."
That’s the genius of it. Most of those Facebook inspo quotes say absolutely nothing but just sound profound.
As someone who was raised in a cult, I am in no way excusing her whatsoever, I just really do understood where her mind was. I see a lot of comments saying things like “how can someone believe this stuff” and granted I was a child but that’s what they do. It starts off so small, seemingly innocent and they go after people they know are vulnerable. They ease you in with sweet words and manipulate the teachings to sound wonderful and empowering. It’s been over 10 years since I got out and I am still unlearning things that were heavily influenced by them and it unfortunately is a life long journey.
Again, I only say this as an explanation, not an excuse. It just saddens me looking at her, her glazed over eyes and forced smile, that was me for a very long time. Narcissistic abuse alter your brain chemistry and basically makes you reliant on the abuser, much like a substance addiction. It becomes terrifying to think of a life outside of that and you truly believe you might die if you leave. Not to mention the humility you fee when finally admitting that you were duped and the years you spent dedicating your life to something, ended up all being a lie. Your entire world comes crashing down and it’s a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
Ive never been in a cult but im with u. Yes from the outside looking in, its easy to say "how/why would anyone ever believe this stuff?". But like u said, they dont start off by immediately telling someone to have sex with a senior member/the leader or to physically assault/kill someone, they do it slowly. All it takes is for someone to be at a stage in their life where they r lost, vulnerable, looking for a sense of belonging, and boom, along comes some guy saying we r a big family doing all these wonderful things.
Just like u im not excusing any of what happened or what im about to use as an example cuz many ppl will say these ppl r just dumb. The SS, the top group within the nazis, had some strict rules for who could enter. This included physical traits as well as an iq of at least 130 (could be wrong but it was a high number), far from what we would consider to be a person who is dumb/not smart.
A vulnerable person looking for a sense of belonging, in addition to a charismatic person who is good with words is really all it takes for sth like this to take off. Again, not excusing any of what happened, but ppl need to stop acting so high and mighty cuz well, the human mind and psychology is and can be a lot more fragile and easily exploitable than we think.
Well said. Best comment. I am quite annoyed with all this one-sided comment be it for or against her. This is not the point in such a case in my opinion. This more complex. The real important point is "how can something like this happen in the first place?" and "how is it possible as a society to you prevent it?" and " What should we teach in public (school, media) so innocent people can recognise it?" It is so easy to judge when you only hear about in media and never involved personaly. Best whises to you.
People believe all sorts of things. Ridiculous patriotism, manifest destiny, the stability of the fiat currency system, organized religion, rewritten history, myths of all sorts, etc etc. Everyone on the planet is under a spell of belief in one way or another. I agree she was manipulated, but she also went along with the entire thing and made victims out of other people for her own benefit. She’s not the mastermind but accessory is a serious crime, even if you were manipulated. 21 months is a joke.
I love documentaries, I can tell that you are not milking trending topics, because you involve specific angles, which are important to you. Plus, I have something to get me through me home workout.
Thank you. Documentaries are my favorite and I try to do only topics I'd want to watch. Happy Halloween! 🎃
@@notthegoodgirl I am loving your documentaries! Very well made. I also listen to your channel when I’m at the gym.lol
Completely agree they’re so well thought out and structured
Man, there are some hard hitting women here on TH-cam when it comes to investigative journalism. This is a crazy ass story I wasn't aware of. I don't follow or care about celebrities, so I was only dimly interested in this video when I clicked on it. And I was blown away by some amazing research put into story telling form. Well done
When I heard about it a while back I was just blown away to think that actresses and actors would be involved in that especially the ones that people were very familiar with because of you know shows like Smallville the Green arrow etc etc I was stunned
I feel the same. It kept coming up as a suggestion and I finally watched it and couldn’t stop! Also, I applaud your open admiration of a woman’s work. Good man. ❤️
Keith was speaking in sentences by 1, wrestling mountain cats by 3, hosting Meet The Press by 5, branding troubled women by 40, and making license plates for $.10 a day by 50. Quite a life.
Waste of a mind. It’s not uncommon.
Lmao!
Lol, you’re incredibly funny 😂
Hahaha
What did they see in this guy? He looks like such a weasel.
He is basicaly belittling her love for art and making it sound like it is some sort of prison, and the reason for her unhappiness, which it isn't. Seeing him namipulating her like that, about something that she clearly truly loved, incredibly saddens me...
It was upsetting to me too. But instead of considering it a red flag like most people would have, she thought she was the one in the wrong, and that sort of thinking was probably habitual to her. She had horrible self-esteem and that sociopath knew it and pounced.
@@chalkedlines8960 Exactly. This is what saddens me the most in all of this. Had something or someone else happened to her, THIS wouldnt have been her life. Sigh... Some humans and some realities really are disgustingly tragic.
Cautionary tale, indeed. I really liked her in Smallville but even if she started as a victim, the perpetrator in her eventually raised its ugly head. You can see her when interviewing the dufus she is enchanted by the bullcrap he is uttering, but the photos of her grow progressively more disturbing. She became as calculated as her teacher and should have been incarcerated for far more than three years. The sentencing was a spit in the face of the women she branded.
When she comes out of prison, it would be justice if she never gets a decent job ever again but is constantly recognised for the manipulative self centred B that she is (and likely always was deep inside).
Unfortunately she will probably write a book and go on lots of talk shows, earning more money and fame from her vile personality.
It’s a “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” as Friere states in his book of that title.
@@charliemike13 that is the "new celebrity " it is so disgusting
@@nomadpurple6154 no, she should have a decent job for her, like shoveling shit...
Allison Mack seems to have been both victimized and, eventually, a victimizer herself. She wasn’t dumb, but she was under-educated (having spent her formative years acting), young, and very emotionally insecure. She felt something was missing from her life, and when Keith Raniere told her, “What you need is more NXIVM,” she didn’t have the confidence to say, “No, it’s not.”
In short, she was the ideal person for a cult to recruit, and this was not lost on Raniere and his inner circle.
Well, in my books she was extremely dumb! There are hundrets of millions young people around the world, who has had even less education, and they still wouldn’t fall in that kind of nonsense. Btw, there are lots of very tallented and succesfull actors and actresses in the world, who have proven to be idiots outside their trade.
That is the claim for women in general, "we're just little girls" when convenient, its time to choose, are they adults or not.
That’s what makes cults so dangerous. They make abused victims into abusers.
I'm sure there were educated women duped as well, seeing that at least one was a doctor. If anything screams "educated" it's the title of "doctor" or "lawyer".
Nah she’s dumb
All the signs were there yet she was CLUELESS
NXIVM seems eerily similar to Scientology (the self-review of vulnerabilities, the self-improvement courses, the pyramid of ranks, the collateral, the degradation,...), and Alison's fate/role also seems to parralel Tom Cruise's in quite a few ways. Ten years from now, I'd be interested to hear how she looks back on the whole thing. I hope she finds a way to repair some of the damage (to herself and others), and to do good in the world.
“at cause”
There's an interesting chart on Keith's wikipedia article charting all the influences on NXIVM and scientology is in there.
So they were able to go after this group. HOw about Scientology now, can they do it?
These cults are but the surface level in Hollywood, I am more curious about the potential cults that pull in billionaires that remain undetected today.
@@dongster529 what cults are those?
I just found your channel. Going through all your videos now. Amazing content! Better that 90% of cable tv docos
The "we're hungry" part is so heartbreaking. You know they were truly starving with those calorie limits and extreme control over the most menial of things.
Low protein intake makes you vulnerable to cult manipulation. The guy was a truly deliberate asshole.
It’s an Old ploy to allow them to control your body and mind. Don’t think I’ve Ever heard of a cult that doesn’t use food as a control. If you deprive the body, the mind quickly follows.
But fxkkk lol there’s a time and place lol like go to the Salvation Army or some shit they give hot plates there hf smh lol doing the most
@@beautifullovechannel Salvation Army's a great club.
Yeah that stuck with me
The part where she said she didn't know it was possible to spend time with someone and not feel nervous made me sad :(
Yeah, clearly she had a lot of anxiety problems... too bad she didn't see a therapist instead of joining nexium classes :(
That is Generalized Anxiety Disorder speaking, most likely. Sadly, I understand it well. It comes from a trauma background, typically. And if that is the case for Allison, she was additionally vulnerable. Hard to understand how anyone could be such a joiner as to get hoodwinked by this Keith Rainier psycho, though. I guess that love bombing stuff can get to people. He wanted her money and social connections, so he hoovered her right into where he wanted her.
@@therealdeal3672 Exactly. Abusers often seek out people with prior trauma because we’re so used to abuse that we have a hard time recognizing it.
Not to excuse the abuse she committed, of course.
I am also sociophobic and neurotic, as well as extremely introverted, so I understand. She needed actual psychological help, and the cults often lure people in in such state
I felt the same at that part of this video, and in my life at the time- I’m the same age as Mack. Also just being in your twenties is rough. Before therapy, I would hang onto to the words of Oprah who would say very encouraging things about getting older- especially approaching 40 and being more confident and secure with yourself. Maybe some of it is maturing with age, but therapy not being free or even very accessible in the USA-- well, I think that is a reason cults can’t flourish.
The whole "at cause" thing and victim-blaming -- he completely ripped off Scientology. He wasn't even imaginative and smart enough to think up his own cult junk. It's so important for people to have general knowledge of the world, so they can recognize these things.
Very true. He ripped off a *lot* from Scientology, including "supressives." 🙄 He had no creativity, lol.
Yet it worked.
Yet he was smart enough to con an obscene amount of people.
@@Varg84 Maybe you don't need to be smart to make it work. Maybe Hubbard was a genius and his system simply works.
@@notthegoodgirl It is curious how other former Scientologyst, created their own cults as well. Other example would be Jim Humble, the " creator" of the MMS.
Love your videos, just discovered them today! They are put to gether like a proffesonal documentry!!
It's really sad how cults can take a good person and twist their morality in knots. I sadly have first hand experience with it, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
@Marshall Carwood someone who is a good person doesn’t suggest torturing others. You suggesting she should get solitary confinement which is torture as humans are social beings, is a red flag on your person.
Don't excuse evil. We all have a choice. She had a choice.
@@melz6625 Then you go keep bad people company yourself,humans btw do not have to be the same as you socialy and your comment is antisocial.
I'd like to presume she was a good person, but none of use can ever be sure. What I strongly believe is that Allison despite relative success she found herself lacking in purpose and fulfillment. Thus when a crazy cult came along and claimed to offered her these things she divide in with enthusiasm swallowed whatever they feed her no questions ask.
@Marshall Carwood If only it was so, but the way human mind works is interested in truth and "good" only as secondary things. Primarily human mind strives for internal consistency meaning that if at first the person is convinced that the group is beneficial to them, and is a force for "good", they will start to rationalize everything else to keep that view stay true in their minds. Black becomes white, evil becomes good, abuse becomes love. And the person will keep forming rationalizations and apologies to their convictions until something causes enough cognitive dissonance towards the other direction to break the illusion that was built by the mind itself with the instructions slowly fed to it by the abusive group.
Branding is no different from a tattoo...YES IT IS!! Tattoos can be removed, if you freaking brand someone with a white hot poker, cutting through their skin, that CANNOT be removed! God, the stupidity of those people saying that.
Not to mention removing a tattoo is more painful than getting one. I learned that from experience.
Not to mention how much more painful it is, that they were being held down, and it’s in a really sensitive spot near their crotch
Couldn't you cut away the affected flesh entirely? Granted you probably wouldn't WANT to do that.
I mean they did it on Spartacus.
@@encycl07pedia-yes. I saw Sara and her husband on Mormon stories and she did get hers cut out.
I also heard branding is much more dangerous than getting tattooed.
This is my first exposure to this channel. Great job on the video and narrating this story! Earned a subscription 👍
I was born and raised in upstate NY. It was wiiiiild hearing what was actually going on in the weird rich people cult we all knew was shady, but never to this extent.
lol @ "weird rich people cult." So true. 😂
I can't feel sorry for Allison when she genuinely was the one who wanted to brand her and Keith's initials on these ppl man
Oddly enough I was in this school. A personal trainer friend brought me in to the Vancouver location, I met Sarah who was a teacher there at the time. When I interviewed for the school it was sold to me as self development and then when money was paid and I was enrolled, it was vastly different. I did not go more than a couple times - cult vibes are clear and evident right away. It was a large sum of money that I lost, but super greatful that my gut told me to run and I listened.
How much if you don't mind disclosing the amount?
Consider yourself lucky that you felt the vibe early on. I've also spent money on bogus Amway presentations but see it now as a hard lesson on why people get manipulated. It shouldn't bee a bad thing to want to hang out with others who relish in improving themselves though. Fuck fake gurus.
Good for you. I’ve never heard of this group but damn. This is no good. I guess it’s easy to take advantage of the ones who are desperate.
It’s amazing how some see trouble right away and some get sucked in, good for you figuring it out.
@@verynice126 10k
She apologized,but took no personal responsibility laying all the blame at Keiths feet. When in fact she went from being a victim to being a monster.
No surprise. Accountability for women is like kyptonite. 😂😂😂
I wonder what Rick Moranis think of her now.
Been watching the new series “The Vow” coming on HBO and gotta say…. Allison Mack is just extra disgusting to me when put up against the other women involved in Dos. Her performing during Keith’s 12 day bday celebration and singing her little love song to him really turning up the acting and emotion on stage with tears in her eyes with KR in the front row was not only gross but also super uncomfortable to watch. I couldn’t imagine the secondhand embarrassment those in attendance felt. Her messages to KR talking about she needed compensation for delivering new Dos members bc she “hadn’t got a paycheck in awhile” and he told her to deliver a specific woman and she’d be paid. She was definitely down for the cause as long as she was being paid and allowed to live the lifestyle that looked like something to outsiders. She got off lightly imo.
I'm obsessed with the second season of The Vow! It's so good. I can't believe they got former members (like Nancy) to speak on camera. Not only is it entertaining and has me hooked, but I think it's a case study in how cults operate before, during, and after the downfall. It's fascinating, and HBO has done a great job.
@@notthegoodgirl same. I’m super obsessed w the series. As far as Nancy goes I truly believe a lot of her agreeing to film is to somewhat cover her own ass but I do understand her wanting to shed a light on the not so bad times. I don’t think she knew everything happening within the group either. I feel super sorry for her daughters though. Nancy was CLEARLY glazed over about Keith from the beginning. It’s kinda gross watching her kiss him in the mouth and linger then her daughter run right up behind her 🤮 then Nancy talking about Lauren and Keith’s relationship making her feel “betrayed”. It amazes me so many fell victim. He’s gross 🤢
Not to mention Alison is WAY BELOW AVERAGE for an actress. Was she used to doing favors to get roles in big productions or did she have family ties to Hollywood?
Pretty Privilege.
@TattoodPun26 Okay, here's the plan. I want you to rob the closest bank to you this Friday. Then come back to this comment thread and I'll let you know where to send half of the money that you stole....... Now if you really did all of that, does that make me a "bank robber"..??
Allison Mack has been a child actor since she was a kid. I have a feeling she was taken advantage of in the industry, which is why she felt so lost growing up and looked for guidance. Not justifying her behavior, of course, as it's deplorable. She should have gotten a much longer prison sentence, and it's sad she'll be out soon... I don't know if Allison can come back from this, tbh. For all we know, she'll link up with Keith once she's out of prison and will do things for him while he stays in prison. I loved her in Smallville and saw myself in her character, but that's the problem, she played a character her entire life.
Career Child Star (actors/pageant/etc) cannot be good for children …
Child Age is the time to learn and grow!
Either way, Allison’s life is ruined. If she hadn’t met Keith, she could’ve had a chance
@@Ramsey276one Not all child celebs implode tho but IKR.
@@karlc2869 there's a bunch of examples... The ideal number would be ZERO
Sad but true
@@Ramsey276one Wrong, dude. Look at Jason Bateman and Hilary Duff, they didn't crash like Lindsay Lohan or The Two Coreys did.
This has all the red flags of an abusive relationship. The love bombing, charming her and making her feel special, escalating control, isolation from friends and family, etc. I used to be that person who always said: why can't you just walk away.....until I was manipulated into an abusive relationship. You can't leave because you fear for your life. I feel so sorry for Allison, she was very young when she was recruited and didn't stand a chance. On the other hand, I got away from my abuser by fleeing the country with the help of my family. And I can now safely say that after living through it first hand, I can now very clearly see the red flags.
Im glad you got away safely - many women are dead - i too was in something and the subtle manipulation is devastating - getting away shows a lot of courage and strength
Uh. I hope that abuser is on some kind of list.
I'm sorry that happened
What you don't understand is that she doesn't relate with you but she relates more to your abuser. She knew what she was doing and she kept doing it.
no sorry for criminals, no excuses for bad behavior, own up your flaws and your actions, she deserved more than 3 years, and people should appreciate what they have instead of yearning for what they dont.
This is a very-well-put-together documentary! Excellent. Sadly though, it is a tragic tale of a young person with a promising future.
When Raniere speaks, words come out but he says nothing (same with Nancy Salzman). It's incredibly sad and tragic that so many got lured in by this sociopath.
That’s what had me confused. Lol anytime we saw Keith talking it just sounded like bs. Lol
Nail on the head. He's trying very hard to sound intelligent, like what's coming out of his mouth is revolutionary or thought-provoking, but it's mostly just empty and fake. It's trademark narcissistic behavior.
@@daylamore3300 Tbh I’ve heard that kind of thing is a deliberate tactic to lure in only the most gullible. They didn’t want anyone smart enough to realize he was talking crap because that person might not follow them mindlessly
@@daylamore3300 💯 he was a f***ing narcissist . Can't believe the privileged Hollywood folks got so taken in by it.
I'm glad others spotted this! It's actually impressive that he can talk so much and say nothing at all. I guess this is part of keeping it vague for everyone - like a horrorscope - and then being very specifically abusive in private.
Keith : "Yes indubitably, and to summarize, hypotenuse photosynthesis is vastly incredibly phythogrean, you have to accept that fibonaaci sequence parliament hordurves supercalifragilisticexpilalidocious"
Allison : "👁👄👁 THAT. PART. OMG. LIFE CHANGING 🙏😭"
😂😂😂
Lololllll
Lololllll
Lololllll
Lololllll
Starving the cult members was a surefire way to keep them brainwashed. You can't think straight when you're starving, dizzyness, disorientation and confusion are a result and that makes it pretty easy for someone to get into your head.
Jim Jones did the same thing along with sleep deprivation.
Only 500 calories a day is insane though! I can’t imagine how that would make me feel.
Never thought about that. Good point.
@@justinbarnett9476 I don't understand how they survived that, when I was anorexic I did 1200 kcal for months and I was so underweight it was life threatening.
Yes. And it means you HAVE to look to others for support, and you can't think straight, nothing makes sense enough to think for yourself. You have to become dependant on others.
starving and chronically sleep deprived - a few months of that and you have a pack of zombies to do your bidding
I once worked for a woman who ran a housekeeping business in my county. She told me that she had worked for Raniere. She was a sketchy woman, and her company went under, and they moved to Hawaii. I can only imagine what she's doing there.
The fact no one ever elaborates on Kristen's involvement and role is such a huge hole. How did she get out unscathed
She got out as Mack for in. She wasn't with the group much and it was well before the weirdo stuff
@@laithamekir5778 if I'm not mistaken she was in it for years and that's never expounded upon
@@dobi287 not from what I understood I believe she was in it for like 4 months in the begining and then got out. Of course I didnt follow this as hardcore as some but all around its a vucked up thing.
THANK YOU! That’s been pissing me off from the second she was brought up as having introduced Allison. She must be culpable in some way
THANK YOU! That’s been pissing me off from the second she was brought up as having introduced Allison. She must be culpable in some way
There isn't a single predators in search of victims on their own. There is a entire network of supporters, enablers and co-predators lurking about, which makes these cults even more sinister. Great job!
Correct- enablers and supporters are just as guilty. Sometimes they need to justify their choices by confirming and supporting creeps like this
@@peaceangel-rl2hf Kristen Kreuk is certainly no innocent bystander.
This doc is so well put together.
horrific, and I have a little story to add. Alison Mack and “actress” Bonnie Piesse (Star Wars) tried to recruit my partner . They were at a comic con my partner volunteered at and was sat with bonnie, they got to talking about life etc, as you do politely and with boundaries. Bonnie told my partner she and NIXIVM could solve all my partners troubles and to make him think differently all he has to do it to pay £2,500 and go and live in LA and take their seminars. She brought my partner over to Allison asked she permission Allison looked and my partner up and down, smiled and said yes, we’d love to have you. (I was sitting another guest at the comic con and we were next to Allison) so I heard and witness the permission and creepy look.
P,s we/ he didn’t go to LA or their “seminars”
Your partner? Do you run a business together?
@@encycl07pedia- Partner is a normal word for long time lover/boyfriend/spouse/fiancee. It's what I call my man too after 12 years because I'm way too old to have a "boyfriend" and we're not married.
@@DerLiesl lol. Anyone that uses "partner" to describe their significant other/boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/fiance/fiancee is a dispassionate fool. "Partner" is a term totally devoid of any romantic connotation. "Mate" has more passion behind it and it's a scientific term. "Howdy, partner!" is not a pick-up line. Being named a partner in a business isn't innuendo.
Do you think the "boy" part of "boyfriend" means a male minor? Because it doesn't.
@@encycl07pedia-boy means immature male. I see why you prefer it
@@limitedtime5471 I prefer using precise terms, and I mentioned preferring using the term "boyfriend," not "boy." But obviously reading comprehension isn't your strong suit.
I don't know if Allison is crazy or evil, but it's shocking how someone gives out an image and you believe it and turns out a complete different person
She wasn't always like that and developed into it. It is well proven you can manipulate most humans into it if they are emotionaly vulnerabel. It is not an excuse but an explanation.
@@kidaria1333 yeah, I agree with you
This story really had me thinking about how highly narcissistic people are vulnerable to collectivist groups. When fitting in and getting attention is your only compass, you are eassily led astray, to be a victim or co abuser.
@@davidgreenwood6029 This has nothing to do with narcissim. It can happen to everyone when you are vulnerable. People really need to stop this inflationary wrong use of the word narcissim.
As someone who has fell victim to 2 mlm's, was in and out churches and Christian groups for 7 years (I saw some similarities in this doc) This documentary is big reminder to protect my mind at all cost because I have found myself listening and believing others over myself.
Yes, always protect your mind! It's your greatest asset. 💛
2 MLMs?!?! Damn….
Hey I’ve got some absolutely beautiful Oceanside property in Arizona I’m selling SUPER cheap if you’re interested?
I agree with you about the correlation with MLMs they are breeding ground for manipulation . I once was very shy and to overcome it I decided to do door to door vacuum cleaner - it was an MLM model & worked as a crew - it was absolutely unbelievable what you can get people to do with the right technique and practice . But like any skill it can be used for good or it can be used for evil - in the case of the vacuum cleaners - I would overhear the guys talking about going to bars at night after selling all day and these guys were monsters - I told the guy who owned the office that he had a great skill but if not careful it blowback on him - he said I didn't have to be there if I didn't like it - so that was my 3 week career as door to door sales - but I have never been as shy again
Briana,
... believing others over yourself...
I can relate.
Never again.
Stay strong.
"No" is a complete sentence.
Practice saying No to Everything, and use your time for activities and studies that are important and fun for You.
Best wishes from me to you, rock on.
Fooled 2 times?! The world has so many strange folks
This is hands down the scariest insecure-sweet-girl-turns-manic-dictator-story I ever heard. The worst part is that she didn't become a tyrant and cult leader on her own but as a devoted follower of a guru. This is so messed up, it haunts me!
You should probably get more educated before insulting someone based on facts you don't know. She's a victim of grooming and mental abuse
@@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess If you look into the past of every bad person, you will always find something that made them the way they became. To me that doesn't mean, it excuses every cruelty. If it excuses it to you, that is your opinion.
@@acsaudiodramas I assure you if she was a guy or ugly then no one would defend her and what she did.
@@lrlrgg3445 just my thoughts 😁
To be honest, as terrible her actions are, something tells me that if she wasn’t completely financially dependent on Keith, she would have found other ways to get her things done WITHOUT doing whatever she did to others. It almost felt like she was broke and desperate and begging for money, and Keith put her in a position where all she had to do, was the things he told her, and then she would get paid. This was a woman who had no money, no other friends other than the ones made there, she was starved, I think that’s hardly a good combo for critical thinking.
It is taking more understanding and empathy than I have to really feel a strong sense of sympathy for Allison after the branding ceremony. Yeah, it was hers initial's that made the brand too. That tells me she how much she enjoyed the process, and that is sick. She used the power she was given to victimize others and I don't think she would have willingly stopped or come to her own senses.
I don’t think there is enough to really say she enjoyed it. It seem to me it's obvious that these women would do anything to stay on Keith's good side. That would include coming up with new and "innovative" ideas. I bet that would fall over each other in the attempt to come up with the next "good" idea and be recognised in his eyes and get praise. That said I think you are right that she wouldn't have gotten out of this mindset if someone else hadn't taken her out of it forcefully. Who knows if she really has gotten out of it. I do still have sympathy for her, but I'm also not going to just forget what she herself has done and is responsible for.
Right? I don’t care how “brainwashed” you are, to do something like that…that’s unforgivable. She deserves far more prison time than she got.
@@MissCaraMint I agree with everything you said.
Could have been so much brainwashed that she actually endorsed and "became " the one he wanted her to be...In a sense she was the most unconsciously manipulated manipulative one ...if that makes sense
willingly getting branded is same as willingly having thousands of tattoo needle marks that comprise tattoos. I dont understand the criminality part of the branding, it's weird and sick but they chose to allow themselves to have this done.
I have survived abuse by a psychopath and am now working with victims if this type of abuse. Having seen Ms Mack, I am not astonished she got entangled in that psychopath‘s net and with her natural ambition to excel was easily coerced into becoming a co-perpetrator. I am glad she has to take accountabiliy and hope she can overcome this dark phase and heal.
I'm glad to see India reunited with her mom, I had seen her desperately fighting to get her daughter out of it
Same. She worked hard. I’m glad it turned out well.
She definitely owes her mother big time for saving her life! Despite how long it took and all the things she had to do. Her mom is one strong woman!
Her mom is the definition of a mother's love. She did not give up on her daughter, it’s admirable and I’m glad they are together again.
PLEASE do more documentaries like this. your voice and cadence is perfect for it.
Been rewatching Smallville and she's so likable, she'd definitely make a perfect recruiting person for a cult.
It's funny you should say that cuz I myself was also watching Smallville today all afternoon I just at the stop for awhile in one of the episodes for season 1 Allison's acting career is over
It's heartbreaking to see how she has the potential to be as amazing as Chloe but instead she became a monster
Saw her on just this documentary. Did not get likeable from those sad promotional videos of her lying. She is also Far BELOW AVERAGE for a typical actress. Parents raise your kids right please 🙏.
@@digitruba6728 So you never saw her acting and is saying she is below average actress? Nice insight.
@oponomo she IS far below average in the looks department, and for an actress looks are important. Unattractive, just being real. If she had a great voice or something, but I don't think she's known for that.
This video was very well done! I missed all of this story until I saw she was released today and have been working backwards to catch up. The only thing I do not understand is if the group had Kristin Kreuk, why would they feel like Allison Mack was a bigger star that they needed to pursue at all costs?
I wonder when Kristin got out and she must feel bad for bringing Allison in.
Nobody talks about that part of the story.
You can clearly see Allison was depressed when she first was introduced to Keith. It almost seems like she had no one in her life that had was backing her up or letting her feel comfortable to open up to. So as soon as Keith talks to her she feels that finally there is someone willing to listen to her and that she can share her feeling with. That made an easy victim.
that's also on her. it's not the fault of others for how she herself was feeling.
@@truthprevails4386 funny, you sound exactly like Raniere, with his “At Cause” victim blaming principle.
@@truthprevails4386 who is talking about fault here? Nobody put blame on anyone here, Alison’s feelings are her own. HOWEVER, it’s no secret that Keith took advantage of it. THAT, is not Alison’s fault. You don’t wake up one day when you’re depressed and anticipate someone is about to exploit you.
@@truthprevails4386 I think she is exactly like him!
100. like one of those extreme Christians that say everything’s the devil when they become saved. She was vulnerable asf naive
10 minutes in and this is IMMENSELY better than the docuseries on HBO.
Actual backgrounds and definitions.
Gracias!
I believe anyone can get lured into a cult but in my opinion you have to have something else in you to go as far as she did and enjoy it.
Not anyone. Cults target vulnerable abd sugestable people
And yes she is a sicko clearly.. to subjugate those other women
Depends on how widely you're casting the net of "cult", but yeah definitely not everyone. Pretty much if you are susceptible to "hypnosis" then yeah -- a cult would have a field day with you.
@@TJ-Judge well, I think it can happen to anyone. Because most of these things do not appear as a cult from the start. We just need to be extra careful, when making decisions.
Agreed. You have to be very desperate - in your own way. And what Raniere said may sound like jibberish to us, but it's exactly what they wanted to hear.
These yr documentaries deserve an award. Keep them coming!
Josie, you should break out into the documentary filmmaking industry professionally! You are so good at this!!
I’m OBSESSED with her channel and the fact she’s black too makes me even happier, my goodness THEE TALENT HUNNTY!😭😍
@@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024 she black? 👊🏾 i know race has nothing to do with it but its always good to see our talent get recognised. May it continue for a long time.
I totally agree! This was awesome! To be honest, I’m usually not a fan of your long intros but I enjoyed this from start to finish! And I can tell you really did your research! This was awesome! 👏👏👏
@@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024 I was kind of attracted to the fact the information was presented fairly ! But I could see how you appreciate she is also black ! Malcomb x said never trust the white liberal !
This is such an interesting look at this topic, because as much as Allison Mack is a perpetrator, she was also a victim too. She was manipulated into joining this cult, convinced that all her endeavors were meaningless, and that she could only be happy by joining this organization. This of course, does not excuse any harm she did to others, but it's a chilling story about how cults can turn their victims into predators.
you kinda nailed it. heartbreaking on so many levels
Very similar, imo, to killers that you find out were abused all their lives.
Im not so sure about that. The portion where the author kept saying "LIE 1,2,3, etc". That was her knowing full well that SHE was the abuser here and lying to recruit. She knows to say the good things, even though none of that was the reality. Just cause she's cute doesn't mean she's manipulated into this completely. I think Keith found a partner, and she loved being that partner. If she was ugly or older, she'd be seen as an accomplice, which she is.
It is more like a story about how soft people are.
Beware of anyone who proclaims his own “greatness”, claims to have all the answers, and says things like “Only I can fix it” and “I am the Chosen One!”
I thought that as well when it said he kept proclaiming how much of a genius he is.
Hits hard when you realize the Chloe Sullivan character was created for Smallville. And not only was she Superman's soon to be forgotten best friend, she was also the lover he jilted for Lana, then Louis & Diana of Themyscyra. So its almost as if the fall of Alisson Mack is the fall of Chloe Sullivan. She fell for the very schemes she was outfitting on screen. She then became a supervillain. A Supervillain guys. The Granny Goodness to Keith Ranjere's Darkseid, if you will. In the end no one could save her. In the end she was enslaved. In the end Remy Zero was asking Clark to save them, from Chloe. But he had given up being Superman & gone on to a life as Cain on Lucifer. Damn.
Very well done documentary.
This was an extremely well done, well researched & executed documentary. If you are reading this please consider watching to the end.
She was my favorite character on Smallville, this is a good example that people is not what you always think
This absolutely breaks my heart…I loved Smallville when I was growing up. It was one of my favorite tv shows. I feel a lot like Michael Rosenbaum who played Lex…wanting to see Allison step up and apologize for her friends’ behavior when they invaded his home like that.
Allison had such a promising career ahead of her with Smallville, and it’s sad that they saw this and recruited her into this. But then while she may have initially been manipulated, she chose to start becoming the manipulator. It’s sad because the victim became the abuser, and we have seen this sort of thing in cult behavior and even toxic relationships. I hope that she can recover, but her life after prison will never be the same again…I doubt anyone would want to work with her after this.
Agreed! I hope when she's out (and after extensive therapy), she spreads awareness about cult indoctrination, coercive control, and continues making amends.
Completely agree it's heartbreaking.. how did it happen?
I literally wrote fan fiction about her and Clark 😭
It’s as Friere wrote in his book, “A Pedagogy of the Oppressed.”
I want to say that she has a chance to regain her career but who knows I do hope she apologizes to her former costar Michael Rosenbaum for her & her friends behavior.
I think you struck a good balance between depicting her as both victim and abuser. People seem to think that at some point you magically stop being a victim and become a fully informed participant, but I think it's more accurate that Mack and those like her are both simultaneously. I hope she recovers fully and lives a genuinely happy life after this mess.
I envy people who really know what they want in life, specifically regarding their career. This girl really did know she loved to perform and then there comes this man telling her that is not what she wants in life and she is made to believe it. What the hell. 😡
You believe what you want to believe, if you feel sorry for this woman I feel sorry for you. All this shows is the Devil can tempt anyone to the dark side.
The Alison Mack interviews are all so weird. She’s talking in this constant stream and is actually saying nothing at all. Knowing what’s behind it all makes it so much creepier.
If you listen to him carefully you know he's obviously rubbish. This is why we should start listening to the actual contents inside the speech instead of how they're delivered
This was really surprising. I read one article on this story, but didn't learn much else about it, so I had a total misunderstanding of Allison Mack's role in everything. The story by her ex co-star from Smallville was so different from anything I thought I knew about her during the time she was in.
I can't stop re-watching this. This was *so well done*. Thanks so much for your hustle. I can't even imagine the amount of hours that went into researching/pic gathering/clip gathering/script writing/editing this monster. Liked and subscribed -- I'm so excited to see more content from you in the future.
Agreed. I just found this channel and was looking at the MLM videos and found this one. I thought it was a copied professional documentary for TV at first, it was so well researched and edited.
@@rottsandspots a lot of the info is also in the documentary Seduced (which I highly recommend)
@@SonicAvalanche that's really kind of you to recommend the documentary. I will look for it and watch it this evening. Thanks and have a great weekend.
I only subscribe to people working really hard to provide us with great content I have so much respect for them 👏
I've watched 3 documentaries on NXIVM, The Vow, Seduced: Inside the Nxivm Cult, and this one, The Rise and Fall of Allison Mack. All 3 are very informative from similar, yet different perspectives. Thank you.
Smart choice
Always get multiple opinions from multiple sources
Can’t learn everything from just one source!
All three I can watch on TH-cam?
NXIVM is/was also very closely tied to a certain someone who "killed themselves in prison" recently.
@@Kyle-El proof?
Me too. I'd like to know more about the role Claire Bronfman*
I actually had class with her at LBCC when she was on house arrest. Weekends she’d fly to go to court, sometimes weeks. The reason she could go was because it was some sort of “self improvement” or “community service” to go to school. She used a burner phone and only communicated via phone call.
Phil 14 - Philosophy of Religion was the class. Specter was the name of the prof ironically.
She was insane, she snapped at people in class sometimes.
I helped her with symbolic logic (a different philosophy class philosophy majors had to take), went to her parents house near Los Alamitos, had no clue about her. Went inside and eventually noticed her ankle bracelet. Well technically first her giant tan boots that didn’t match some skimpy leopard print dress she had on. We were at the table and I looked down to see what I thought it was only to confirm. When I left an unmarked white suburban with CA exempt plates rolled by….I didn’t interact with her much after that.
interesting, I always imagine that these people in trouble awaiting trials are basket cases of nervousness and fear but often it turns out it was no big deal to them and they went about life normally during. I sure couldnt.
Leopard print dress sticks out. It's like.... Beta sex slave.. "illuminati" shit. Notice how celebrities often wear leopard print? Mk ultra, beta sex slave.
Thanks,this confirms my belief she manipulated the judge,no way will 3 years alter her behavior.
@@No_Frills_Carnivore lol
How is Allison able to speak so well? Unlike most people, she rarely if ever stammers nor uses filler words such as ‘um’ or ‘like.’ She is so eloquent and concise when she speaks. Even on Smallville, I noticed how she delivered her line with such clear diction. How does she do it?
she's a soulless automaton
She's an actress.
the research! the editing! the script! the quality!
This is what Shane Dawson thinks he does. You're so so talented and I just know you're gonna be big on TH-cam and more 💜
This is so scary! I'm so sorry for the women who got caught up in the awful scheme under Allison and Keith! This is disgusting, honestly. And I'm so glad Kelly Clarkson and Emma Watson never responded to Allison!
Good lord, I’m thinking about how many white feminists Emma Watson could have pulled in and given them a platform. 😭
I think Emma & Kelly knew a cultist when they smell one or their publicists may have done some serious looking into Keith & said 'Oh hell no don't talk to Allison she's involved in a cult & you don't want that on your image stay away." Good on them for staying away.
I always have a problem taking NXIVM seriously because I've spent decades working in a pharmacies and for a long time Nexium was one of the most popular treatments for acid reflux
When I first saw this story I had to google Nexium because I take it all the time for heart burn 😂 & I thought wait, what? I’m taking drugs from a cult??? Hahah so dumb 🙈🙈
Need some Nexium after watching this amazing but disturbing NXIVM doco! Horrify but compelling. Interesting about how USA needs to develop laws on Coercive Control to try & control Sociopaths who’d control others & prevent this happening again, though cults & cult leaders will Always prey on the vulnerable.
Funny how NXIVM makes people feel sick, and Nexium makes them feel better
Hahaha! Same! 😂
😂 true story!
I hope that Michael Rosenbaum has her on his podcast when she gets out. There are a lot of questions that only she can answer, and because she always seems to be giving a performance, I think you need someone who knows her from off camera to get her to really open up. The sad thing is, I know Chloe inspired a lot of women in their career choices, and I think for that reason it's important to note that you can still be fan of the character without being a fan of the actress. If Chloe inspired someone to be a journalist or a computer expert, those are not years wasted.
My daughter attended high school w/ Allison Mack ,Orange County High school of the Arts.
She was a darling & talented young girl. I hope she is doing well after this unfortunate & nefarious event.
@@carolyncox7694 Yeah, I really hope the abusive woman who tortured other more vulnerable woman is "doing well". I REALLY hope so.
Horrible idea lmao
I don't think people want to hear from her.
This Keith guy is very smart in getting 120 years in prison without killing anybody.
I have watched so much on NXIVM. I don't understand how anyone thinks he is so intelligent and a visionary. The videos of him he is never saying anything that makes any sense. And everyone just nods and agrees. What is he making people think they are learning or gaining from his babbling. India also discussed how nasty Mack would be and a lot of people thought the brand was not only his initials but also hers.
you see the vow?
The irony of it all is that the woman thought this is a cult for women and improving their strengths when it just was another cult leaded by a man and created only for his desires.... Very well done Josie!,💞👌😘
Just a dude behind the curtain raw dogging a bunch of sad, misguided and delusional women who fell for word salad.
*led by a man
@@jenn4593 Thank you🌻, I am from Austria and my English grammar is some Decades ago.... I hope I never stop learning! 🌺
As someone who worked on Smallville several times, it gives me the goosebumps knowing this now.
What work did you do?
Honestly kind of feel terrible for her she will never be able to regain her reputation or her career
@@juanitamorgan5475 lol. She doesn't deserve one. She branded people like they were cattle.
@@encycl07pedia- i think she did stunt work or body doubling
Janitor?