An avant-garde organization that promoted women's orgasms as a way to heal trauma and achieve higher meaning in life, or a sex cult that exploited its members? That's what a federal jury in Brooklyn is tasked with determining as the founder and former CEO of OneTaste and her former head of sales each face one count of forced labor conspiracy.
Nicole Daedone claims that OneTaste was created to empower women and help them confront the abusive instances in their past through "orgasmic meditation," which involved partnered assistance with sexual release. Prosecutors charge that Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz used their power to control and manipulate their employees like cult members, denying them payments owed and making them live under constant surveillance.
With high-profile celebrity endorsements and the prosecution's lead witness removed from consideration after evidence linked to her was deemed untrustworthy just weeks before jury selection, the drama level is already cranked up. It promises to be a summer potboiler of a trial with the government planning to call 20 witnesses and the defendants employing the attorney who represented Bill Cosby, R. Kelly, and Harvey Weinstein.
A Different Path To Enlightenment
Founded by Daedone in 2004, OneTaste embraced an unconventional approach to success and peace of mind — orgasm. Rather than sourced from onanism, OneTaste championed a shared experience that included the stroking of a woman's private regions for up to 15 minutes. This, Daedone proclaimed, was part of a system to provide a deeper connection with the universe while helping overcome past traumas.
Originating in California's Bay Area, OneTaste grew in popularity and size as it spread across the nation and into foreign markets like London. Buoyed by a popular TED Talk, celebrity endorsements from the likes of Khloe Kardashian, and being featured in Gwenyth Paltrow's health and beauty brand Goop, it increased the reach of their coaching and seminars. Daedone served as CEO until 2017, while Cherwitz held her position until 2018.
According to federal prosecutors, OneTaste came with a price tag beyond money. According to the indictment, the defendants targeted people suffering from past traumas and other emotional issues as potential employees, volunteers, and contractors for OneTaste. If the new prospective members didn't have the financial means to afford the OneTaste lifestyle, they were encouraged to incur debt through credit cards to facilitate their healing journey.
OneTaste members were expected to engage in sexual contact with one another, often in pairings set by management. The indictment charges that assignments and partners were frequently changed with the intention of keeping members isolated and vulnerable. Employees were ordered to engage in sexual acts with members with no control or power to refuse.
This alleged grooming and abuse of employees extended to finances as well. Owed money was either promised to be paid later, ignored, or lost in a shuffle of changing assignments. Members were expected to display unquestioned devotion to Daedone's leadership and teachings.
After a five-year investigation, criminal charges were filed against Daedone and Cherwitz by the Justice Department in 2023. Civil litigation is also pending.
An Aggressive Criminal Defense Team
Ahead of what the trial may bring, the buildup has had its own share of chaos. Ayries Blanck, the subject of a 2022 Netflix documentary about her alleged experience as part of OneTaste, went from a key witness for the prosecution to a discredited source of tainted information. The Justice Department announced they were removing her from the witness list on April 4, 2025, due to evidence that her "journal entries" from her employment there were inauthentic.
An application to the U.S. Supreme Court by Cherwitz requesting a stay against the dissemination of stolen privileged corporate documents was denied on April 29. Daedone and Cherwitz face up to 20 years each in prison if convicted, though both have maintained their innocence.
Daedone insists that her former $12 million per year business was "rooted 100% in consent" and plans on testifying at the trial. Her attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, had to remove herself as leader of Harvey Weinstein's defense team to be present to represent Daedone and Cherwitz.
The legal maneuvering has already started. It's sure to be an interesting trial.
Related Resources
- Criminal Trial Overview (FindLaw's Criminal Procedure)
- What Do the Courts Consider in a Conspiracy Case? (FindLaw's Criminal Charges)
- Celebrity Justice (FindLaw's Legally Weird)
