Former members of Pearadise, a popular body-positivity online community that expanded to a Las Vegas mansion, have accused its founder, Stefan Wilhelmy, of manipulation, predatory behavior, and unwanted sexual conduct. These allegations have fueled a legal dispute spanning several years and are now being explored in the Investigation Discovery docuseries "Big Girls Wanted: Escaping Pearadise."
Pearadise, founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, grew rapidly from a Discord server into a social media phenomenon, amassing nearly 250,000 TikTok followers. The community's stated mission, as described on its website, was to create a space centered on friendship, confidence, acceptance, and connection, free from bullying and body shaming. The community attracted women from across the United States to a customized mansion in Las Vegas.
However, court records indicate a different reality for some former members. Attorney Marc Randazza, representing several ex-members, stated that his clients described experiences of "manipulation, victimization, coercion, and sexual assault."
Specific allegations include former members Savannah Brown and Alejandra Javier claiming that Wilhelmy touched them without consent during visits to his Las Vegas home. Brown alleged unwanted stomach rubbing, shoulder touching, and spanking, while Javier reported similar unwanted stomach rubbing and unauthorized photography of women in a pool.
Wilhelmy has denied these accusations and filed defamation lawsuits against some accusers who publicly labeled him a predator and accused him of sexual assault. A central point of contention in the legal proceedings was whether non-consensual sexual touching could be legally defined as sexual assault, particularly in Nevada, where the criminal definition requires penetration. Wilhelmy's legal team argued that the women's claims were defamatory because they did not meet this criminal threshold.
Attorneys for the women filed Anti-SLAPP motions, asserting their clients' right to speak publicly about their experiences. The litigation also involved sworn declarations from other former Pearadise participants. One declaration described a highly sexualized environment and alleged Wilhelmy used the community to identify women he found attractive. Another stated that Wilhelmy pressured her into a sexual encounter during an emotional breakdown, describing the interaction as "predatory."
In January 2022, a Clark County judge dismissed Wilhelmy's lawsuit under Nevada's Anti-SLAPP law. The court found that the women's statements concerned a matter of public interest and that there was no evidence they knowingly made false statements. The judge ruled that Brown and Javier genuinely believed they had been touched in a sexual manner without consent, and their use of the term "sexual assault" was not knowingly false, even if the alleged acts did not involve penetration.
Director Tara Malone stated that the documentary "Big Girls Wanted: Escaping Pearadise" evolved to explore themes larger than any single individual, focusing on power dynamics, safety, and personal sacrifice. Executive producer Michael Hirschorn described the project not as a traditional true-crime story but as an examination of what people are willing to give up to find a sense of belonging or a "safe space."
Filmmakers noted that many of the physical interactions themselves were not necessarily disputed by both sides, but rather the interpretation and labeling of those events differed significantly. Hirschorn suggested that viewers might find sympathy for Wilhelmy when examining evidence he presented, while also acknowledging the women's experiences. The documentary aims to encourage viewers to consider the competing accounts and approach the narratives with empathy rather than judgment.
No criminal charges have been filed related to these allegations, and the court's ruling focused on the women's right to free speech regarding their experiences. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the Clark County District Attorney's Office, and attorneys representing Wilhelmy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.