<p id=”par-1_36″>ID’s newest docuseries is taking a closer look at a controversial community that claims to <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/why-ashley-graham-calls-herself-a-body-activist.html/”>celebrate plus-size women</a>. But some former residents say that the social-media driven space known as “Pearadise” is more like a cult. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-id-docuseries-explores-controversial-community-known-as-pearadise”>ID docuseries explores controversial community known as ‘Pearadise’ </h2>
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<iframe title=”House Tour At Pearadise | Big Girls Wanted: Escaping Pearadise | Sneak Peek | ID” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/87IMOAEm2aM?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p id=”par-2_32″><em>Big Girls Wanted: Escaping Pearadise </em>premieres June 10 on ID. The three-part series takes viewers inside the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/sister-wives-meri-janelle-both-gave-profits-their-vegas-homes-buy-robyns-900000-house.html/”>Las Vegas home</a> of Stefan Wilhemy, a German-born entrepreneur and unabashed lover of bigger women. </p>
<p id=”par-3_52″>In candid interviews, Wilhelmy insists that he just wants to celebrate plus-size women. And many of the people who came to his Nevada mansion – which he describes as a “place of acceptance and love” – initially found it a welcoming, empowering space. But there’s a dark side to Pearadise, insiders allege. </p>
<p id=”par-4_12″>“They don’t tell you the price that you’ll pay,” one woman says. </p>
<p id=”par-5_71″>Women who spent time in Pearadise (which is still an active community) say that the fat-positive vibes seen in viral TikTok videos told only part of the story. Multiple former residents describe being sexually assaulted by Stefan or other people in-the house. (Stefan denies assaulting anyone.) Others say that being sexually involved with Stefan was an unstated requirement of living in Pearadise. There are also allegations of grooming and coercive control. </p>
<p id=”par-6_21″>“Stefan wants a harem of fat women that he can pick and choose from on a day-to-day basis,” one woman says. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-pearadise-was-not-a-safe-space-critics-say”>Pearadise was not a safe space, critics say</h2>
<p id=”par-7_47″>Eventually, critics began attacking Stefan and Pearadise on TikTok and other social media. Meanwhile, some residents’ stories took a dark turn. Several women describe Pearadise being the first place where they really felt attractive to other people. But eventually, many could not the community more disturbing elements. </p>
<p id=”par-8_58″>For some, Pearadise was a true nightmare. One resident, an influencer named Kass, had begun sharing “feeder” content on fetish websites. After a succession of mental and physical health struggles, she eventually died at age 29. Another woman named Xiomara also got involved in feederism and ended up in rehab due to her weight and other health issues. </p>
<p id=”par-9_50″>Ultimately, many women who lived in Pearadise look back on their experience with regret for what might have been. They said they were longing for a place where they did not feel judged for their bodies, and they thought they’d found it in Stefan’s home. But they were bitterly disappointed. </p>
<p id=”par-10_21″>“If Pearadise is a safe space for big girls,” former Pearadise resident Ivy Colligan says<em>, “</em>the world has failed big girls.” </p>
<p id=”par-11_25″>ID’s <em>Big Girls Wanted: Escaping Pearadise</em> premieres Wednesday, June 10 from 8-11 p.m. ET/PT on ID and will be available to stream on HBO Max. </p>
<p id=”par-12_11″><em>For more news and exclusive interviews, follow </em><a href=”https://www.instagram.com/showbizcheatsheet/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”><em>Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram</em></a><em>.</em> </p>