OneTaste built a business around orgasm. Yes, really. The controversial startup promised a blend of mindfulness and sex, calling it orgasmic meditation. For a while, it worked. They packed events with eager participants, made headlines, and earned a nod from Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop.
But now? The founders are facing federal charges, accused of turning the business into a coercive cult.
At the center is Nicole Daedone, OneTaste’s founder, and Rachel Cherwitz, the former head of sales. Prosecutors say the two ran a 14-year scheme that ended in 2018, one that manipulated people into sex, drained them financially, and used fear to keep them working unpaid.
What Is OneTaste?
OneTaste sold itself as a wellness company for the sexually curious. The hook? A practice called orgasmic meditation, OM for short. It paired women with trained partners, often men, who would stroke them in a "sacred" 15-minute session.
This was supposed to unlock healing, pleasure, and emotional release.
GTN / What started as a sexy self-help movement allegedly spiraled into something darker. Prosecutors now claim OneTaste preyed on vulnerable people, especially those with trauma.
These recruits were promised transformation. Instead, they were allegedly pushed to perform sex acts, sometimes with investors and VIP clients.
Consent or Coercion?
The courtroom battle hinges on one word: consent. Defense lawyers argue that everyone involved was an adult making their own choices, and no one was forced to stay.
The sex? Entirely voluntary. The work? Passion-driven. They claim the company was a spiritual space, not a scam.
But prosecutors paint a much grimmer picture. They say the company created an environment where saying “no” wasn’t really an option. Workers were told that discomfort meant growth. Saying yes, even to degrading sex acts, was framed as “the path to freedom.” That is not freedom, prosecutors argue. That is grooming.
The Cult Accusations
This is where things get even more intense. The government’s case says OneTaste didn’t just use cult-like tactics—it was basically a cult. According to the charges, leaders controlled everything: what people ate, where they lived, and who they slept with.
People worked seven days a week, often unpaid, in exchange for enlightenment that never came.
Surveillance, shame, and manipulation kept members in line. They racked up debt trying to stay in good standing. Those who tried to leave were sometimes cut off completely. Prosecutors say OneTaste thrived on power and submission, and it all flowed up to the top.
The News / Attorney Jennifer Bonjean, who represents Daedone, told the jury that no one was tricked. “They were having a blast,” she said. She called the trial a case of "retroactive regret," not actual harm.
“They Were Having Fun”
In response, the defense is going bold. They are arguing that the so-called victims were just young adults exploring their sexuality. Many were enthusiastic about the lifestyle. They had sex, they traveled, they bonded with others.
And now that they have moved on, some with spouses and kids, they are embarrassed by their past. Her point? You don’t get to rewrite your past just because it no longer fits your present.
The Big Names Fall Big!
OneTaste wasn’t always a dirty word. At its peak, more than 35,000 people attended its workshops. TED Talks, media profiles, even a nod from Goop gave the startup an air of credibility. Thus, this was a hip San Francisco brand selling spiritual sex to professionals.
But after several whistleblowers came forward, everything collapsed. By 2018, OneTaste shut down its public operations. Netflix’s 2022 documentary “Orgasm Inc.” pulled back the curtain even further. The company’s image went from edgy to toxic almost overnight.