Former Brazilian model and wellness influencer Kat Torres sentenced for human trafficking and slavery
Kat Torres, a former Brazilian model and wellness influencer based in the United States, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for human trafficking and enslavement of women. The sentencing follows an FBI investigation that began when two women living with Torres went missing in 2022.
Once rumored to be dating actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Torres claimed to possess spiritual powers
Several women who claim they were trafficked by Torres have recounted their traumatic experiences. Speaking to the BBC, victims described being drawn to Torres’s rags-to-riches story, which showcased her rise from a poor Brazilian neighborhood to mingling with Hollywood elites. Ana, one victim, stated, “She was on the cover of magazines. She was seen with famous people such as Leonardo DiCaprio. Everything I saw seemed credible.”
Once rumored to be dating actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Torres claimed to possess spiritual powers, frequently appearing on prominent Brazilian television shows. Her life took a turn after being introduced to the hallucinogenic drug ayahuasca, which she reportedly used to reinvent herself as a life coach and hypnotist. She then launched a wellness website that promised subscribers “Love, money, and self-esteem that you always dreamed of,” along with self-help videos on various topics, including hypnosis and meditation. One-on-one video consultations were offered for $150 to resolve “any of their problems.”
Living conditions and exploitation
In 2019, Ana relocated to New York to become Torres’ live-in assistant, seeking to escape her violent past. She was expected to care for Torres’ pets, cook, clean, and perform laundry for $2,000 a month. However, upon arrival, she was confronted with appalling living conditions, forced to sleep on a sofa covered in cat urine, and denied proper rest. Ana later escaped but not before Torres hired two more women, Desirre and Leticia, who faced similar exploitation in Texas.
The situation escalated quickly as Desirre was pressured into working at a local strip club while Torres subjected her to “witchcraft.” The women were isolated, forbidden from communicating, and needed permission to leave their rooms, even for basic needs. Torres coerced Desirre into prostitution, imposing earning quotas and denying her entry to their residence when she failed to meet them. Desirre shared, “I ended up sleeping on the street several times because I couldn’t reach that.”
Public outcry and ongoing therapy
In September, family and friends of the two women initiated social media campaigns to locate them. To evade scrutiny, Torres and her victims fled from Texas to Maine, where they were forced to post videos on Instagram denying captivity and urging people to cease their search. Over 20 women have since reported being exploited by Torres and are currently undergoing psychiatric therapy to cope with their experiences.