… and now for a sentence we did not think we’d be writing today:
Kristin Kreuk has issued a strong statement in denial of reports that she helped recruit sex slaves for a self-help group in which the actress formerly played a role.
This message from Kreuk comes days after Keith Raniere – the co-founder of a mysterious and controversial self-improvement group named “Nxivm” – was arrested in Mexico.
Known as “Vanguard” to his loyal followers, Raniere was taken into custody on a number of sex trafficking and forced labor charges.
According to the criminal complaint, the 57-year-old used his power, position and influence as the head of Nxivm to “brainwash” women into forced labor and sex, while even branding them with his initials.
We’re talking really heinous stuff here.
Where does Kreuk enter the picture?
According to Page Six, the actress (best known for having portrayed a young Superman’s love interest, Lana Lang, on Smallville) was a member of this organization.
She joined in late 2005, the newspaper writes, and helped bring Smallville co-star Allison Mack into the fold.
Mack was accused last year of luring women into the sex slave ring started by Raniere; and this report alleges that Kreuk was also considered some kind of “recruiter” within Nxivm.
Kreuk left the group in 2012, reportedly after she learned Raniere was sleeping with underage girls.
And now she’s released a statement that denies any such recruiting role in general.
“When I was about 23, I took an Executive Success Programs/NXIVM ‘intensive,’ what I understood to be a self help/personal growth course that helped me handle my previous shyness, which is why I continued with the program,” Kreuk wrote, adding in detail:
“I left about five years ago and had minimal contact with those who were still involved.”
The actress went on to shoot down talk that she had any influence within the group and was not involved in its “Dominus Obsequious Sororium” (DOS), which translates from Latin to “Master Over the Slave Woman.”
Writes Kreuk:
“The accusations that I was in the ‘inner circle’ or recruited women as ‘sex slaves’ are blatantly false.
“During my time, I never experienced any illegal or nefarious activity. I am horrified and disgusted by what has come out about DOS.”
The women brought into this group were allegedly placed on a strict diet of about 500 to 800 calories a day in order to satisfy Raniere.
The cult leader coerced the women into having sex with him and doing menial chores for “masters,” according to previous reports.
Concluded the actress:
Thank you to all the brave women who have come forward to share their stories and expose DOS; I can’t imagine how difficult this has been for you.
I am deeply disturbed and embarrassed to have been associated with NXIVM. I hope that the investigation leads to justice for all of those affected.
Kreuk also starred as the lead character on Beauty and the Beast and appeared on multiple episodes of Chuck.
Mack is expected to be arrested in the near future, Page Six writes.
What a weird and horrifying story all around.