Two hours ago, the BBC reported that wellness influencer Kat Torres has been sentenced to eight years in prison for human trafficking and slavery of one woman, with charges filed in relation to a second woman. Torres, who was previously a model and partied with celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, lured her followers into sexual exploitation. Ana, a victim of Torres’ coercion, described her initial attraction to Torres’ story of overcoming adversity. Torres’ former flatmate revealed that her behavior changed after she was introduced to the drug ayahuasca. Torres’ wellness website promised customers love, money, and self-esteem, but former clients like Amanda found themselves psychologically isolated and willing to do anything Torres suggested. Ana, who worked as Torres’ assistant in New York, described being treated like a slave and never being paid. The BBC uncovered that Torres recruited several women to live with her in Texas, where they were subjected to strict rules and forced to work at a strip club. Desirrê and Sol, two of the women recruited by Torres, shared their harrowing experiences of exploitation and coercion.
