A month after her release from federal custody on a $5 million bond, former Smallville actress Allison Mack is taking credit for coming up with the idea for the branding ritual practiced by the NXIVM (pronounced "nexium") cult that got her in trouble to begin with.
It was in a profile with New York Times Magazine that writer Vanessa Grigoriadis says that Mack took "full responsibility for coming up with the DOS cauterized brand" during an interview conducted for the piece.
The controversial branding ritual was first exposed in the New York Times back in October—a story that the publication claims had led to “hundreds” of defections since. In the cult, women were branding by a female osteopath as a rite of passage, bearing the initials ‘K’ and ‘R’ for leader Keith Raniere.
“I was like: ‘Y’all, a tattoo? People get drunk and tattooed on their ankle ‘BFF,’ or a tramp stamp. I have two tattoos and they mean nothing,'" Mack told Grigoriadis of the brand in an interview, citing her want to do something more meaningful.
This admission arrives after Mack was charged with sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and forced labor conspiracy for her involvement with NXIVM—a group focused on empowerment which is alleged to be a front for more illicit activities. According to Frank Parlato, who first blew the whistle on the whole operation through his blog, Raniere invited Mack into his inner circle for her ability to recruit beautiful women into the organization.
"She never had what [Raniere confidante Pam] Cafritz had, the ability to be an excellent body servant or valet," Parlato told The Hollywood Reporter. "But she had the ability to bring women to Raniere's bed. She procured some startling beauties."