What Happened to Nicole Daedone?

Nicole Daedone gained public attention as the co-founder and former CEO of OneTaste, a San Francisco-based sexual wellness company established in 2004. The company popularized 'orgasmic meditation' (OM), a practice involving manual clitoral stimulation, and initially received glowing media coverage, expanding with outposts in major cities like Los Angeles and London. Daedone presented herself as a 'ceiling-shattering feminist entrepreneur' focused on women's sexual empowerment and connection.

However, by 2018, OneTaste's practices came under intense scrutiny following reports of alleged cult-like behavior, sexual servitude, and financial exploitation. Prosecutors later alleged that Daedone and her co-conspirators intentionally recruited vulnerable individuals, many with histories of trauma, and coerced them into unpaid labor and uncomfortable sexual acts for the company's benefit. Members were reportedly pressured to incur significant debt to attend expensive courses, with annual memberships costing up to $60,000.

In June 2023, Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz, OneTaste's former head of sales, were indicted on federal charges of forced labor conspiracy. Prosecutors argued they used economic pressure, psychological manipulation, physical exhaustion, and emotional degradation to control members. The trial commenced in May 2025 in Brooklyn federal court.

After a five-week trial, a federal jury convicted both Daedone and Cherwitz of forced labor conspiracy in June 2025. The jury found that they orchestrated a scheme that manipulated and coerced individuals into performing labor and services. Prosecutors had sought a 20-year prison sentence for Daedone, citing the lasting trauma inflicted on victims.

As of March 30, 2026, Nicole Daedone was sentenced to nine years in federal prison. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Diane Gujarati noted that Daedone 'does not appear to be remorseful.' She was also ordered to forfeit $12 million, representing the proceeds from the sale of her stake in OneTaste in 2017, which the court deemed proceeds of the criminal forced labor conspiracy. Daedone's defense lawyers had argued for a shorter sentence, citing her lack of prior criminal record and numerous letters of support. She is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn.