It’s hard to imagine how a bright young actress could lose herself so deeply. But Allison Mack, once beloved for her role in Smallville, has finally opened up about the darkest chapter of her life — her time in the NXIVM cult.

Back in 1998, NXIVM began as a “self-help” group. On the surface, it promised growth and empowerment. Behind closed doors, though, it was a place of control, manipulation, and cruelty. Its leader, Keith Raniere, created a disturbing “master and slave” system that shattered lives. Mack became one of his senior members, recruiting women under the illusion of empowerment — and hiding the truth that they were being branded, degraded, and abused.

“I was willfully ignorant,” Mack admits in her new CBC podcast Allison After NXIVM. “I purposely avoided seeing what I didn’t want to face.”

The now 43-year-old served time in prison for her role, calling it both her punishment and her wake-up call. In a letter before sentencing, she wrote, “This was the biggest mistake and regret of my life. I am sorry to everyone I hurt.”

Still, Mack doesn’t excuse herself. “I used my fame as a power tool,” she confesses. “I made people feel like they had no choice.” Yet she also speaks of a painful inner conflict — a woman who wanted to help others, but ended up destroying trust instead.

Her story isn’t one of justification, but of haunting reflection — a reminder of how easily good intentions can be twisted, and how far someone can fall before finally facing the truth.