Aaron Ashmore Speaks Out on Smallville Co-star Allison Mack’s Involvement in Controversial Cult

Aaron Ashmore portrayed Allison Mack’s romantic interest in Smallville for three years — but was he aware of her connection to the sex cult NXIVM?

“She was wonderful. Very warm and welcoming,” Ashmore, 45, who played Jimmy Olsen on the popular CW series, reminisced about his former co-star during the Tuesday, March 25, episode of the “Inside of You” podcast. “Even her boyfriend Chad [Krowchuk] would invite me along for hikes and other outings. She was incredibly cool and an outstanding actress.”

Ashmore commended Mack, 42, for being a “solid” scene partner, adding, “She brings so much to her character. It was fantastic to work with her because she made everything so effortless.”

Podcast host Michael Rosenbaum, who appeared on Smallville as Lex Luthor, shifted the discussion to Mack’s controversies — particularly her incarceration related to NXIVM.

“Looking back, I remember some of the girls on set — including guest stars — who would hang out socially. There may have been some hints, but I didn’t really hear anything about it,” Ashmore shared regarding Mack’s connection to the cult. “I did attend several script readings that Allison and her friends organized. Perhaps that was part of it, but I had no idea.”

Ashmore expressed his shock when Mack’s legal troubles surfaced, stating, “I knew Alison quite well over those three years. We collaborated closely, and there was nothing in her demeanor that would have suggested any of this was possible. It felt like an alternate reality.”

In 2018, Mack was arrested for allegedly recruiting women into the sex trafficking organization to become sexual subordinates to its leader, Keith Raniere, along with charges of identity fraud and money laundering. “The victims were subsequently exploited, both sexually and for their labor, to the defendants’ advantage,” said United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue in a statement at that time.

Documents obtained by Us Weekly indicated that Mack — who is most recognized for her role as Chloe on Smallville from 2001 to 2011 — lured women into NXIVM by presenting it as “a women’s empowerment group or sorority.” Once involved, members were compelled to “provide [NXIVM] with naked photographs, assets, criminal confessions and other compromising information, known as collateral.”

The documents further revealed that Mack “conducted ceremonies wherein her slaves were branded” with Raniere’s initials. She was released on a $5 million bail at the time and placed under house arrest. In 2019, she changed her plea from not guilty to guilty on charges of conspiracy and racketeering after NXIVM cofounder, Nancy Salzman, and her daughter, Lauren Salzman, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges just a month prior.

Meanwhile, Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison in October 2020 after being found guilty of seven felony charges regarding the sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and conspiracy to commit forced labor. He claimed to NBC News that he was “innocent” of the allegations.

In a 2021 statement to Us, Mack expressed remorse to NXIVM victims, acknowledging she had “committed grievous wrongs” and stating, “I devoted myself to Keith Raniere’s teachings completely. I genuinely believed that his guidance was leading me toward a better, more enlightened version of myself. I committed my loyalty, resources, and ultimately my life to him. This was my greatest mistake and deepest regret.”

Mack was sentenced to three years of imprisonment in June 2021. She began serving her sentence in September 2021 and was released early in July 2023.