'Anti-glasses' influencer defends herself against backlash after TikToker infiltrates her class: 'That is not allowed'

Samantha Lotus (@samantha_lotus), a self-described “holistic master coach” and wellness influencer, has reached beyond her 27,000 Instagram followers with a message about eyesight.

In a since-deleted Instagram video from Sept. 8, Lotus claimed that if a doctor has recommended glasses or contact lenses for someone, then “that’s a lie.” Instead, she said she has figured out a way to “reverse” her need for glasses using “simple,” “holistic multidimensional healing” tactics that are “backed by science.”

She does not elaborate on what is “backed by science” and how, but her website says that she “blends Lifestyle Alchemy, Holistic Health, Positive Psychology, Quantum Physics, Spirituality and Heart-led Entrepreneurship to elevate her clients.”

“There are mental, emotional, physical and even spiritual reasons why you may not be seeing,” Lotus said in the video. “I’m here to tell you that that can be healed.”

It’s estimated that “over 4 billion people across the globe” wear glasses. The majority of glasses wearers are dealing with presbyopia, a condition that mostly affects middle-aged and older adults and makes it harder to see things up close. Presbyopia is a normal part of aging, the National Eye Institute says.

“Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are determined by the shape of the eye,” Dr. Jesse McCann told In The Know by Yahoo. “Glasses or contacts help focus the light on the retina so people can see clearly to make up for the shape of the eye structures.”

In response to hearing Lotus’s claims, McCann added that children can be permanently damaged by not wearing their prescription glasses, to the point where it can impact brain development.

Lotus advertised a Vision Healing class course, starting at $11. Mallory (@mallorysthoughts), a creator dedicated to covering pseudoscience, multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes and the wellness influencer space, was one of the first people to react to the video on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In a series of posts on Sept. 9, Mallory revealed that she had paid the $11 for the class under a fake name and, according to one photo, was enrolled with around 117 other people. At the start of the class, Lotus gave a disclaimer that she was not a medical doctor or adviser.

Mallory shared photos of some of the slides Lotus presented throughout the two-and-a-half-hour presentation and tweeted quotes that Lotus reportedly said throughout the class (including allegedly blaming sunglasses for sunburns and claiming that glasses are a barrier to the real world).

What Mallory heavily highlighted was that Lotus, who is a representative for doTerra essential oils, specifically named doTerra oils in multiple slides and allegedly suggested that clients buy the oils and rub them around their eye area and cheeks.

“Absolutely do not do this,” McCann told In The Know. “Essential oils placed around the eyes undiluted can spread into the eye by sweat or rubbing and cause corneal burns and significant pain.”

DoTerra did not respond to Mallory directly or make an official statement, but in a series of X replies to another user who demanded the company address Lotus’s claims, the brand wrote, “We have taken immediate action to review any of the distributor’s statements that may not comply with our policies and relevant legal requirements.”

This is the second time Mallory has flagged Lotus’s content to doTerra. In December, Mallory screenshot an Instagram Story attributed to Lotus’s username that featured a doTerra “respiratory blend” essential oil and was captioned, “This oil is known as the anti-cov!d oil!!! I sent it to HUNDREDS of people over the last 2 years.”

“Hey @doterra please confirm your reps are allowed to market your products as ‘anti-covid’ because I’m pretty sure that is not allowed,” Mallory tweeted. “Samantha has repeatedly made false claims like this. At what point does she get removed from the company for non-compliance??”

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) did file lawsuits against several doTerra distributors in March “for making claims that the company’s essential oils and dietary supplements could treat, prevent or cure COVID-19.” The FTC described doTerra as a “multi-level marketing company.”

The FTC categorizes MLMs as companies that sell products or services through direct sales between an individual distributor, like Lotus, and other customers, like her followers. The distinctive line between an MLM and a pyramid scheme or scam, according to the FTC, is that MLMs should pay distributors based on sales without having to recruit more distributors.

Lotus did find out about Mallory tweeting through the class and shared a follow-up post on Instagram about “cancel culture and mob mentality” on Monday.

“My MasterClass was aimed to help people improve their vision by holistic means, as I know it’s possible and want to share this gift with anyone who wishes to receive it,” Lotus wrote. “I know my intentions to empower truth seekers with the teachings of self healing and sovereignty are pure and good.”

Lotus also added an Instagram Highlight dedicated to the backlash. In it, she wrote citations for 39 sources she alleged support her claims and said she did not advise students to put essential oils directly into their eyes.

On Sunday, Mallory shared multiple screenshots that suggested Lotus was messaging her across various social media platforms and had asked her to take down the X thread. Mallory also alleged that Lotus’s husband, Lando Omega, requested to be Facebook friends with her.

As of reporting, Lotus’s LinkedIn profile has been taken down. Her website does not list the class but does advertise a business coaching program that’s starting on Thursday for $2,222 and still has an application to be her client for “exploration sessions” for a minimum investment of $2,500 per month.

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