A viral body-positivity community that drew hundreds of thousands of followers and welcomed plus-size women to a customized Las Vegas mansion is back in the spotlight after former members accused its founder of manipulation, predatory behavior and unwanted sexual conduct.The allegations against Pearadise founder Stefan Wilhelmy sparked a yearslong legal battle that generated hundreds of pages of court filings and sworn declarations.They're also one part of Investigation Discovery's new three-part documentary, "Big Girls Wanted: Escaping Pearadise," which explores body image, online communities, power dynamics and the subculture known as feederism.Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pearadise quickly grew from a Discord community into a social media phenomenon, attracting nearly 250,000 TikTok followers and drawing women from across the country to Wilhelmy's Las Vegas home.On its website, Pearadise describes itself as "a body-positive community built around friendship, confidence, acceptance and connection" where people could gather without fear of bullying, body shaming or judgment.‘REAL HOUSEWIVES’ STAR ACCUSED OF RUNNING CULT-LIKE CHURCH OPERATION, EX-MEMBERS ALLEGE FINANCIAL EXPLOITATIONPearadise founder Stefan Wilhelmy is featured in Investigation Discovery's documentary examining the online community he created.
(Investigation Discovery)But according to court records reviewed by Fox News Digital, several former members later alleged the reality was far different."Our clients described a scene of manipulation, victimization, coercion, and sexual assault," attorney Marc Randazza, who represented several former Pearadise members, told Fox News Digital in a statement summarizing the case.According to court records, former members Savannah Brown and Alejandra Javier later took to social media, alleging Wilhelmy touched them without consent during visits to his Las Vegas home and describing conduct they characterized as sexual assault.'GIRLS GONE WILD' EXPLOIT...