BLIND GOSSIP

The #1 Blind Item Site in the World!

The Female Tom Cruise

SOLVED!

UPDATED!

[Blind Gossip] This actress is probably best known for her role on a TV series that ran for many seasons starting in the early aughts.

She has supposedly been spending a lot of her time working her way up to a leadership position in some organization that holds “self-improvement” workshops.

She is like the female version of Tom Cruise at [the organization]. She is a celebrity who worked her way up the chain of command and now is one of the controlling members. She recruits new members who are almost all female. If she recruits them, she gets to brand them with her initials.

Say what now?

It turns out that there are some crazy rumors out there that the “self-improvement” workshops allegedly lead to sex slavery pyramid schemes and blackmail and branding women in their private parts. Allegedly!

Some have called the organization “a cult.”

Sounds like a case for Leah Remini!

Similar: And Another One’s Gone

Actress:

[Optional] Has anyone ever tried to convince you to join a cult or religion or pyramid scheme?

SOLVED!

Actress: Allison Mack from Smallville

This one is so creepy that we are going to skip the usual chatter and point you to three other resources.

The New York Times just published an article about a cult known as NXIVM (it’s pronounced Nexium). Here’s a blurb:

Inside a Secretive Group Where Women Are Branded

…Each woman was told to undress and lie on a massage table, while three others restrained her legs and shoulders. According to one of them, their “master,” a top Nxivm official named Lauren Salzman, instructed them to say: “Master, please brand me, it would be an honor.”

A female doctor proceeded to use a cauterizing device to sear a two-inch-square symbol below each woman’s hip, a procedure that took 20 to 30 minutes. For hours, muffled screams and the smell of burning tissue filled the room…

You can read the entire article here, but we will warn you that it is disturbing.

There have been several celebrities associated with the cult. One of them is Allison Mack, who formerly starred on Smallville. Her own website bio confirms her involvement with the founder of the cult, whom she calls her “mentor,” and her role as president of one of the divisions.

We would not be surprised if she now tries to distance herself from them, so, before that happens, here’s a screengrab from AllisonMack.com.

A quick online search will help you find the other celebrities who have been affiliated with the cult.

Finally, The New York Times article cites a source named Frank Parlato. He is a former member of the group who is now working to expose their practices. Frank Parlato is to NXIVM what Leah Remini is to Scientology. You can find Frank’s blog here.

We are now going to step away from this weirdness.

Congratulations to Sabrina325 for being first with the correct response!

UPDATE!

When Blind Gossip first told you the story of this cult five months before everyone else, we did not know if the story would ever go mainstream. Now, multiple outlets are covering it. Thus, we can provide you with a little more information.

Are you curious about the brand that members of this cult are given?

Well, if the member is recruited by founder Keith Raniere, they receive a “KR” brand. If the member is recruited by Allison Mack, they receive a “AM” brand.

If you are having trouble seeing the “AM” in the above brand, this should help.

Frank Paralato, a former member who first exposed the cult, describes Allison Mack as being both a victim and a perpetrator. However, it may be difficult to find a lot of sympathy for someone who is recruiting, starving, and branding other women.

Since more information about the cult is being disclosed each day, we can also now tell you that other celebrities who have been named for taking classes, recruiting members, or financing the organization include Clare and Sara Bronfman (of the Seagram’s liquor empire), India Oxenberg (the daughter of Dynasty actress Catherine Oxenberg), actress Linda Evans, mogul Richard Branson, and actress Kristin Kreuk (Smallville).

Please note that this does not necessarily mean that these people are or were in leadership positions like Allison Mack. However, it would certainly be a worthwhile endeavor for law enforcement to interview these people.

So, where does NXIVM get the money to run their organization?

“Without the Bronfman’s money, there would be no slaves, no branding, no blackmail,” Parlato claims. “Bronfman money funds the whole horrifying cult.”

Edgar Bronfman and Catherine Oxenberg now see the organization as a cult and are trying to extricate their family members from it.

From Today:

You may know Catherine Oxenberg from her starring role as Amanda Carrington in the ’80s soap “Dynasty.”

But the actress is now living a real-life drama that she never imagined would be her reality. She alleges that her daughter India has been brainwashed, and literally branded, by a group called Nxivm.

“This is my last resort, going to the media,” Oxenberg said during an appearance on Megyn Kelly TODAY. “I feel that her life is in danger.”

The group, founded by Keith Raniere and Nancy Salzman, states that its mission “is to help transform and, ultimately, be an expression of the noble civilization of humans.” How, exactly? By “raising human awareness, fostering an ethical humanitarianism, and celebrating what it truly means to be human.”

Not so, said Oxenberg. A report in the New York Times quotes a former member who stated that some women in the group were branded with a cauterizing device; former members told the Times that they had to share private and sensitive information with the group to ensure their loyalty. Oxenberg said she believes India has been branded, too.

Ironically, six years ago, it was Oxenberg who first introduced her daughter to Nxivm (pronounced Nex-e-um), by taking her to a session. India loved it. Now, Oxenberg said she’s going public as a last resort.

“I love her to the end of the world. I’m only doing this to bring awareness,” Oxenberg said.

Oxenberg said she has begged her daughter to leave Nxivm, to no avail. NBC reached out to Nxivm for comment but has not received a response.

“I lost my mind,” said Oxenberg, when she learned of what her daughter could be going through. “I did an intervention with her at the end of May and I failed.”

But her daughter wrote on Facebook that she’s absolutely fine, and Oxenberg said India is angry with her. “I would never put myself or the people I love into any danger,” India wrote on Oct. 19.

Of course. All cult members are “fine.”

We wish Catherine Oxenberg well in her quest to bring her daughter home!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Show: Smallville
    Actress: Kristin Kreuk
    Organization/Cult: NXIVM (I think it’s pronounced nexium)

    Technically her Smallville co-star Allison Mack could also fit these clues and is deeply involved with NXIVM, but I’m guessing KK. There’s a large handful of actors who claim Keith Raniere as their mentor.

    Search Keith Raniere, NXIVM, the Bronfman sisters/heiresses.

    • This seems the most like it, as they specify “self improvement workshops” which is NXIVMs whole thing. Jenna, Kirstie, and Laura are all in scientology, which this blind seems to be saying specifically that it’s not the same as what Cruise is doing. They would have to fight Cruise for the power there.

      NXIVM is crazy and a cult.

    • Except that neither of them were even born until 1982. Sort of shoots down the whole idea of a show in the early 80’s…

    • Unfortunately, I think you’re right, but I’m going with Allison Mack instead of Kristin Kreuk as the “Tom Cruise” of the cult. NXIVM seems like Scientology with a little Branch Davidian thrown in for good measure. Really creepy!! I’m incredibly sad about it. I loved Chloe! 🙁

  8. Only actress I know is a member and had a tv show during correct time is Jenna Elfman. She’s always struck me as a bit off.

    Not that I’m aware of!!!

  11. I’m thinking Yeardly Smith of The Simpsons. I thought she was a real biggie in the organization and was doing some creepy things with it. I have been in some cultish groups. Not so big on groups of any kind now because of it.

    • I agree with this. She is a lonnnnggg time cultist with Scientology and tries to fly under the radar. I thought her at first, but couldn’t remember her name except ‘The Girl who voices Bart Simpson’

  12. Optional: I was a Jehovah’s Witness for a number of years. I eventually came to believe that it was a cult, and I left.

    • @LilibetP…My first reply ended up at near end of section by mistake.

      I’m sure what you did wasnt easy but so worth it. Good for you. You might inspire someone else with your comment.

    • Congrats Lili! I agree with you as it is a cult and has broken up many families that I have known. What kind of religion makes you shun your own family if they are not a witness?

  13. Laura Prepon

    wow.. she is in the hall of fame at my kids HS…. maybe branding people (which is hazing) would get her removed

  16. I want to say Jenna Elfman, but Dharma and Greg ended in the early aughts, not started. I can’t think of anyone else.

    • I just watched an interesting documentary on Netflix called “Betting on Zero ” about the Herbalife pyramid scheme.

    • weeniedog I was watching that documentary yesterday as well. very interesting….

  19. Kirsty Alley. Long-time Scientologist, started on Cheers for many seasons in the 80’s.

    • The aughts is not the ’80s; it’s the period of 2000-2009. “Aught” is a zero.

  23. The 1st female that comes to mind is Kirsty Alley who is always self improving with ice cream and cigarettes!

    HAS to be Scientology. My capital letters make it so!

    NOPE I run from the crazy thanks

    • No, she’s most famous for Cheers, which was over long before “the early aughts.”

    • Actually I think this is Allison Mack from Smallville, which started in 2001(early aughts). She is heavily involved in “NXIVM” which is a cult that centers on self improvement. The leader is Keith Raniere, who is backed by Clare Bronfman a wealthy follower.

      Mack is rumored to be Raniere’s top recruiter of playthings for her boss to “teach” one on one. If you read up on NXIVM and you’ll see it’s as bad as Scientology.

  28. Laura Pepron, maybe?
    Never been tempted for a cult but almost got sucked into a pyramid scheme by a former high classmate. I lucked out by catching on before I handed over any cash or signed any documents. And to think, that girl used to be one of the most popular in school…

  30. Kirstie Alley.

    Optional: I avoid church. I think spirituality is ones own relationship. I don’t object to the notion of a diety but I’m baffled one would take attendance.

  31. This sounds far fetched BUT look up Jack Parson and you’ll find the creator of Scientology started a religious occut with sex party’s as a way to “connect with the members”

    • Branding of Females (and prob young males) taken and being held / used as sex slaves is REAL. Often numbers like SKUs are used for identification and inventory. So the human slaves (as throughout history) are seen as COMMODITIES not humans and treated (abused/ raped/drugged) repeatedly. There have been really good documentaries (no not so called reality shows) on this crime. It happens around the world and hopefully as more find out the perpetrators (famous or not) will be put behind bars.

  39. Kirstie Alley?

    No, but my former mother in law did some “cleanse workshop” of theirs in NYC. We were very concerned, but she got back and said it was amazing.

  43. Laura Prepon with the show being THAT 70S SHOW. Heard buzz for years that there was even talk of setting her up with Cruise since they both tow the line. Sorry to say she has that same dazed glass eyed look he does at times. Cult, brainwashing!

  47. Kudos to Leah Remini. I was honestly not a real fan until she left COS and started using her fame and platform to tell the truth about Scientology esp for those who can’t speak for themselves. She deserved to get a medal from the former POTUS (much) more then some others who received one (prob as a pay back gift).

  48. This isn’t Scientology. None of the scientology women fit the clue. 70s showed debuted in the 90s. Cheers wasn’t on in the aughts.

    I think this is kristen kruek from Smallville.

    More than one cult out there, folks

  50. She wasn’t born until 1980.. powerful & evil “woman”, maybe. I don’t think her sexual orientation has much to do with anything. Kind of like “powerful and evil blonde”..

    • The blind says the “aughts” not the eighties. The aughts are from 2000 to 2009

  51. Elisabeth Moss

    Mad Men (TV series that ran for many seasons starting in the early aughts.)

  53. A couple of commenters are under the impression that it’s an 80s show. “Aughts” means 00s, as in 2000-2009.

    It can’t be Kirstie Alley, Laura Prepon or Jenna Elfman. Cheers started in the 80s, That 70s Show started in 1998, and Dharma and Greg started in 1997. Now Prepon may be getting better known for OITNB, but that’s too new as it began in 2013.

    Kristin Kreuk seems to be the most likely answer so far.

  55. There’s a cult called Superstar Machine that is solely women. Led by a man, natch. I don’t know who is in it but they supposedly target creative women. And recruit aggressively.

  58. looked up aughts online and it said
    aughts plural : the ten year period from 2000 through 2009 so where are folks getting the 80s from? confused.

  62. Wouldn’t it be a scream if it had something to do with Gwyneth Paltrow’s goop group??? Of course it’s not as nothing fits her or her tight circle.

  64. Idk why people keep saying Kristie. Cheers didn’t start in 2000. That 70s show with Laura preponderance started in 1998 I believe.

  65. I agree with the Laura Prepon answer.

    But the not ‘aughts’. The ‘aughts’ are from 2001 to 2010. 2000 is the end of the 90’s.

  67. All these responses telling you you’re wrong is funny. Has everyone forgotten that Laura was on the biggest show of the aughts, That 70s Show? This is so her it’s not even funny. And yeah, she DEFINITELY pings as gay! Homegirl ran that weird defensive article practically screaming she wasn’t gay for doing OITNB. It’s like, okay honey chill, no one said you were, lol…

    • Except That 70s Show began in the late 90s, not the early aughts. Hated that show. I don’t watch Orange, but I hope Prepon has learned to act in the meantime, because boy was she stiff.

  69. My guess is Elizabeth Moss who is known to be a Scientologist.

    She was in Mad Men (Peggy Olsen) which ran through the naughties .

  73. I’d have to say Kristin Kreuk/NXIVM. I just read a little about it and it definitely sounds like it could be the one. Also, you know what’s really weird? I just recently moved to upstate NY; Palenville to be exact. NXIVM’s headquarters are in Colonie which is only an hour away from me.

  76. Strange, I thought everyone and their mother would have guessed Elisabeth Moss from Mad Men. This is her.

  77. Allison Mack, she always seemed off to me. I was a huge Smallville fan and I could never put my finger on hit, but something was DEFINITELY strange. She has this odd IG account that is a bit too suspect and strange enough to believe this post could VERY well be her. She never has a boyfriend on her arm nor are there reports of her dating. She is in the inner circle for sure. Toxic people.

  78. It’s Allison Mack and NXVIUM, which has this weird all-female sub-cult that brands members with her initials as well as the initials of the founder of the cult (Ken Raniere). Google it and be horrified.

  80. okay, this is creepy and gross and awful, but i feel i should point out that branding takes only a couple of seconds per burn, not half an hour (i have one. it’s only the healing part that’s a b***h!). if there was some horrible ritual involved, i guess that would account for the time…?

    (don’t worry, it’s something i designed myself and got voluntarily, not something forced on me by a creepy cult! :/)