Allison Mack is speaking out for the first time since her prison stay.

The "Smallville" star, who a judge sentenced to three years in prison for her part in the NXIVM sex cult in 2021, is telling her story in a new CBC podcast series from writer Natalie Robehmed, Uncover and Campside Media. "Allison After NXIVM," consisting of seven episodes, finds the former actress recalling her childhood and early career, how she was introduced to the cult and wrapped into its messaging, her assent to becoming NXIVM founder Keith Raniere's right-hand woman, her prosecution and life after prison.

Mack, who played Chloe Sullivan on the CW hit series, spent over a decade as a key member of the cult-like NXIVM organization, a master-slave group masqueraded as a self-help organization whose female followers were branded. As the figurehead leader of DOS or "The Vow," the organization's hidden all-women subgroup, she used her celebrity to attract and recruit women to NXIVM, and instructed them to have sex with Raniere as their "master."

"The success I had as an actor, I think I did capitalize on that. It was a power tool to get people to do what I wanted," she says of her use of notoriety. "I was very effective in moving Keith's vision forward."

She pleaded guilty in April 2019 to felony counts of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy and was ordered to pay a $20,000 fine for her role. She was released from federal prison in July 2023.

Raniere was sentenced in October 2020 to 120 years in prison for his role in leading the criminal enterprise that included the DOS cult-like sorority, where women were sexually exploited and branded with his initials. For more than 15 years, Raniere led the Albany, New York, company where participants paid thousands for classes and were manipulated into performing sex acts or forced labor.

Mack, now 43, says she gradually made the realization about Raniere and what she had done during her prosecution. As victim impact statements were read, she recalls being horrified that her family would hear all of the details.

"Oh, my God, my poor brother behind me, having to hear this about his sister," she said. "My poor mom! I'm so sorry, you guys. I don't see myself as innocent, and they were."

Robehmed says Mack has turned down a lot of offers to tell her story, but is choosing to speak now because she wanted to tell her story in podcast form, after no longer feeling comfortable on camera. The podcast series' first two episodes were released Monday, Nov. 10.

In Episode 1, Robehmed goes through the day of Mack's sentencing, meeting her after incarceration, abuse early in her life and career, "Smallville" fame and her first experiences with NXIVM. In Episode 2, "Little Dictator," Mack recalls going deeper into Raniere's teachings, becoming intimate with the cult leader and discovering his sexual relationships with others, and joining DOS.

How to stream 'Allison After NXIVM' podcast, schedule

"Allison After NXIVM" is set to air weekly on podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Contributing: Jon Campbell, USA TODAY Network

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Smallville' star Allison Mack talks NXIVM in post-prison series 'Allison After NXIVM'

Reporting by Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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