Netflix is showing no sign of slowing down with its fascinating documentaries. Hot on the heels of Killer Sally, The Tinder Swindler, and Unsolved Mysteries, Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste is the latest to land on the streaming platform.
Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste explores the rise and fall of Nicole Daedone's sexual wellness company, OneTaste, over the past 15 years, featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with former OneTaste staff, journalist Ellen Huet, and Daedone's ex-husband.
In June 2018, OneTaste was hit with serious allegations of sex trafficking, prostitution, and violations of labor laws. One former member even described OneTaste as an "orgasm cult" in an expose by Bloomberg titled "The Dark Side of OneTaste, the Orgasmic Meditation Company."
Newsweek has everything you need to know about the company.
What happened to OneTaste?
In the early 2000s, California businesswoman Nicole Daedone and Robert Kandell founded the sexual wellness company, OneTaste.
The organization promised to help members on their sexual journey. In particular, OneTaste promoted "orgasmic meditation (OM)," a trademarked procedure that usually involves a man using a gloved, lubricated fingertip to stroke a woman's clitoris for 15 minutes.
The pair, who may or may not be together romantically, call each other "research partners."
OneTaste and the practice of OM went on to be embraced by celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow and Khloe Kardashian.
At the company's height in 2018, over 35,000 people had attended OneTaste in-person events, according to its website. Based in San Franciso, OneTaste also had centers in New York, Los Angeles, Texas, Colorado and London. In 2014, it was listed as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company.
The Allegations
A much darker side to OneTaste was exposed by Bloomberg journalist Ellen Huet in June 2018.
Huett's article featured allegations of prostitution and sex trafficking at the company, made by former members of OneTaste.
One former member alleged in the Bloomberg article that staff was asked to have sex or perform "orgasmic meditation" with each other and OneTaste clients, as well as forced to take expensive courses and attend retreats, finding themselves in "five-figure" debts.
As heard in Orgasm Inc, former members also reported experiencing verbal and emotional abuse under Daedone's leadership at the company.
Details of a 2015 lawsuit were also made public knowledge by Bloomberg.
OneTaste agreed to a six-figure out-of-court settlement with a former member who said she suffered sexual assault and harassment as well as other labor violations while working at OneTaste.
Another former OneTaste employee filed a sexual abuse and fraud lawsuit against the company in 2018. However, the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge in 2019.
OneTaste has also faced allegations by former members and journalists of being similar to a "cult" and pyramid scheme.
In a 2009 interview with The New York Times, Daedone said she does not aspire to be seen as a "guru" but did acknowledge "there's a high potential for this to be a cult."
Ultimately, the FBI began an investigation into OneTaste over the allegations of sex trafficking, prostitution, and labor law violations. As of November 2022, no charges have been made.
OneTaste has always denied any allegations of abuse.
Does OneTaste still exist today?
The current status of OneTaste remains ambiguous. In 2017, Daedone sold her stake in the company and by 2018, OneTaste had closed all of its U.S. locations.
It still remains a part of an ongoing FBI investigation.
Until April 2022, Daedone stayed largely out of the spotlight until she brought a libel case against the BBC over a series of podcasts released in 2020 about OneTaste.
The OneTaste website is still accessible and Daedone is still listed as the CEO on her LinkedIn profile. According to the OneTaste website, as recently as November 1, 2022, Daedone attended a talk and demonstration in New York City.
At the end of the Netflix documentary, Orgasm Inc, it is revealed OneTaste rebranded as The Institute of OM, but on the OneTaste website, a post states that the company has now been relaunched under new owners.
OneTaste also announced the launch of "Intro to OM" workshops in Los Angeles and New York City as well as the "OM App" which provides "free OM instruction" by OneTaste's sister company, Institute of OM.
The organization is also linked to the non-profit Unconditional Freedom project, which works to turn prisons into monasteries.
"I condemn actions by Netflix and their producer, Sarah Gibson, that exploit and commoditize my former customers for financial gain. My company made exhaustive efforts to correct the false and salacious narrative in this production," Institute of OM CEO Anjuli Ayer told Newsweek.
"None of the many women depicted in the film signed releases authorizing Gibson or Netflix to view or use their intimate and sensitive material. The lack of consent evidenced by Netflix and Gibson is shocking. They seem to think no one will care when they exploit women for profit. They are wrong," Ayer said.
Newsweek reached out to Netflix for comment.
Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste is streaming on Netflix now.
Update 11/09/22, 11:49 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Institute of OM CEO Anjuli Ayer.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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