The practice touted by Nicole Daedone combined spirituality, mindfulness and sexuality. Then came the controversy – and prison sentence
In 2009, the New York Times ran a story about Nicole Daedone and her wellness company, OneTaste, which promoted women’s empowerment through a practice known as “orgasmic meditation” (OM).
“I don’t think women will really experience freedom until they own their sexuality,” Daedone said at the time.
The company was tremendously successful. At first, it operated out of a San Francisco warehouse where many practitioners lived communally, practicing OM day and night. Later, it opened locations in cities around the US, including San Francisco, Austin and New York City. Gwyneth Paltrow promoted it on her podcast, and actors like David Schwimmer, Orlando Bloom and Brian Cox reportedly attended presentations. In 2017, Daedone sold OneTaste for $12m.
Fast forward to this March. Daedone was sentenced to federal prison after a judge ruled she had used psychological, emotional and financial coercion to force vulnerable women into sex acts with company clients and investors.
