A former employee of the controversial sex cult Onetaste shared unsettling insights about the “hands-on” training provided by Sick Wellness startups.
Becky, a key figure from the so-called “orgasmic cult,” testified in Brooklyn Federal Court, becoming the first witness for the prosecution against Nicole Daedone, Onetaste’s founder, and her ex-sales chief, Rachel Schelwitz. Her identity has been kept confidential.
At 23, the Westchester County native earned a modest $2,000 monthly salary while participating in orgasmic meditation as part of her role.
“I thought, perhaps, I might meet someone who was a bit different from those I usually encountered,” Becky, now in her late 40s and expecting a child, described her mindset in court.
“I had to keep that energy up constantly,” she admitted.
Onetaste, established in 2004 by Daedone, began as a wellness initiative centered around empowering women, with branches now in cities like New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Denver.
However, prosecutors argued that the bold startup concealed a darker reality—recruiting individuals who were emotionally vulnerable, pressuring them into sexual and unpaid work, and leading them into financial despair.
Becky recounted her joining in 2011 and securing a sales position the following year.
“I was an easy target,” she remarked to the judge, adding that the term “mark” often referenced individuals who are simple to exploit.
“I was incredibly lonely and was longing for a sense of belonging. My sexual confusion made me prime for this kind of situation,” she reflected.
As an employee, she was expected to agree to nearly everything and often found herself working around the clock, Becky testified.
Becky highlighted that participants were promised healing and enlightenment, which included engaging in sexual activities.
She detailed the process of orgasmic meditation, which involved a partner stimulating the genitals for a 15-minute duration followed by sharing experiences.
In a “master class,” she noted, attendees also explored practices like anal play, BDSM, and bondage.
“The lessons were very hands-on,” Becky commented on the training.
At one point, Schelwitz suggested Becky should engage sexually with an older man she was considering collaborating with, but Becky insisted, “I would definitely not go through with that.”
During the experience, she described a scene where they would lie on a cushion with their legs spread before partners. Becky mentioned she had entered Onetaste during a time of debt while pursuing coaching.
She eventually resided in Onetaste’s Harlem house, constantly supervised and needing to ask permission for even brief breaks. Members shared beds and woke at 7 AM to participate in their first meditation session of the day.
Becky explained how this scenario resulted in a separation from her friends and family due to the overwhelming control exerted over her.
She finally left the group in 2014 at the age of 27, feeling emotionally drained and traumatized, impacting her relationships and sex life—a struggle she’s had to navigate with therapy.
“I put in nearly all my savings and ended up with nothing,” she shared.
“It’s really challenging to discuss this here,” Becky added.
In his opening remarks, Brooklyn federal prosecutor Sean Fern stated that victims “labored under the belief that sexual experiences were the key to liberation.”
He highlighted that the organization’s growth occurred amid a context of either unpaid or underpaid labor, much of which benefited Onetaste’s investors.
Both Daedone and Schelwitz face charges of conspiracy to commit forced labor, potentially facing up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. They have pleaded not guilty.
Daedone’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, described Onetaste as a uniquely health-focused establishment during her opening speech, asserting that all members engaged consensually, albeit now feel embarrassed about their past actions.
“They experienced a surge of excitement at the time, but now they see things differently,” Bonjean noted.
Onetaste was previously featured in a 2022 Netflix documentary, “Orgasm Inc,” which aimed to shed light on the alleged misconduct, adding to the growing scrutiny before the company’s decline.
