Hawaii Wellness Influencer Ordered to Pay $40.1 Million After Online Cult Investigation
An investigation reveals how Hawaii wellness influencer Liana Shanti operated a digital cult, controlling followers remotely, splitting families, and resulting in a $40.1 million defamation judgment.
A Canadian television investigation has exposed how Liana Shanti, a Hawaii-based wellness influencer whose real name is Liyane Wilson, operated an online cult that exerted psychological control over followers, separated families, and resulted in a massive multi-million dollar legal judgment. According to former adherents, Shanti built a digital empire through social media platforms, offering paid courses, private groups, and personal guidance focused on veganism, detox, and spirituality. Followers paid thousands of dollars for her advice, listened to her audio recordings even while sleeping, and were led to believe that leaving the community would endanger their souls. Critics also noted a stark contrast between her heavily filtered online persona and her actual appearance, a discrepancy that came to light after she accidentally uploaded an unedited video. Unlike traditional sects, Shanti exercised control entirely online, using personal information shared by adherents to defame them publicly if they attempted to leave. Cult expert Casey Baker, who interviewed more than 30 affected individuals, noted that modern digital platforms allow cult leaders to recruit and manipulate followers remotely from their own homes.
The digital influence eventually translated into physical disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Shanti convinced several Canadian followers to flee their home country with their children. In December 2022, 16 members relocated to a large residence in Florida known as the "Destiny Mansion," where life was reportedly governed by fear and suspicion, with several women taking their children without the consent of the fathers remaining in Canada. Wade Martin, whose daughters were taken to Florida, stated that he barely saw them for four years. Ultimately, nearly all members broke away from the community and returned to Canada. In August, a Hawaii jury ordered Shanti to pay $40.1 million in damages to three former followers for defamation, after she falsely accused them of child abuse and devil worship. Shanti has denied being a cult leader and announced her intention to appeal the verdict.
