Taryn Southern’s explosive allegations against anti-aging influencer Bryan Johnson have triggered a National Labor Relations Board (N.L.R.B.) investigation into his company’s use of restrictive confidentiality agreements, spotlighting a brewing scandal that could unravel his health empire. Southern, a singer and content creator, accused Johnson of abandoning her during her stage III breast cancer treatment in 2019, and her March 23 Instagram post—claiming he coerced her into an NDA that silenced her—has now fueled a broader probe into his business practices, as reported by the New York Times.
The N.L.R.B. investigation, confirmed on March 21, 2025, stems from complaints filed by Southern and two other former employees, including Johnson’s ex-assistant Jamie Contento, who allege the NDAs violate federal labor laws by preventing workers from discussing workplace conditions. Southern’s post, which has garnered over 1,500 likes, states, “I’ve decided that speaking out is now critically important—not just for me, but for the dozens of employees who have been manipulated, coerced, and gagged,” highlighting a culture of fear at Johnson’s companies.
Southern’s allegations date back to her 2016-2019 relationship with Johnson, during which they were engaged and she worked at his neuroscience company, Kernel, as a creative strategist, according to a Vanity Fair profile. She claims Johnson ended their relationship while she was undergoing chemotherapy, leaving her financially dependent, and in 2020 forced her into an NDA that terminated her employment and health insurance, per the New York Times.
The legal fallout has been messy, with Southern filing a lawsuit in October 2021 for $150,000 Johnson allegedly promised for rent and moving expenses, as noted by Bloomberg Law. Johnson moved the case to arbitration, and in 2023, Southern was ordered to pay him $584,000 in legal fees, a ruling she says silenced her further, while Johnson denied the allegations, claiming he supported her during her illness, per Mamamia.
Johnson’s public attacks on Southern have intensified the controversy, with a 2024 X post claiming he feared she would kill him with scissors and that his health regimen saved her from cancer, as reported by Vanity Fair. Southern, bound by the NDA, couldn’t respond, leading to online harassment from Johnson’s fans, a point she emphasized in her Instagram post: “How can the world parse fact from fiction when one party can attack another with falsehoods, and the attacked party cannot even defend themselves with the truth?”
The N.L.R.B. probe has brought Johnson’s business practices under scrutiny, particularly at Blueprint, his anti-aging company, which is already facing financial strain, losing $1 million monthly below break-even despite Johnson’s $25 million investment, according to the New York Times. Internal studies also revealed 60% of Blueprint supplement users experienced side effects like nausea, bloating, and decreased testosterone, raising questions about the safety of his products.
Legal experts have weighed in, with attorney Matt Bruenig, representing Southern and Contento, telling the New York Times that Johnson’s NDA strategy is “a house of cards” meant to silence dissent. Employment lawyer Cliff Palefsky added that the agreements are “overly broad and unenforceable,” accusing Johnson of relying on fear to keep employees quiet, a sentiment echoed in the growing number of N.L.R.B. complaints.
Johnson’s anti-aging empire hinges on his public image, built on extreme experiments like blood plasma transfusions from his teenage son, documented by Bloomberg, and electric shocks to his penis to boost erections, as revealed in Vanity Fair. These practices, while attention-grabbing, are now overshadowed by allegations of coercion and exploitation, casting doubt on his credibility as a health influencer.
Southern’s allegations have also sparked a public backlash, with her Instagram post drawing comments calling her “brave” and Johnson “a monster,” reflecting a shift in sentiment against him, as captured in social media reactions. Her story has resonated widely, turning a personal grievance into a broader critique of Johnson’s empire and the wellness industry’s reliance on trust.
The N.L.R.B. investigation could have far-reaching implications, potentially forcing Johnson to revise his NDA practices or face legal consequences, a development that might embolden more employees to speak out, as noted in the New York Times. For Southern, the probe is a vindication, offering a chance to challenge the agreement that silenced her for years, despite the $584,000 penalty she still faces.
Johnson’s past legal victories, such as the arbitration ruling against Southern, have been overshadowed by these new developments, with the N.L.R.B. probe signaling a shift in focus from personal disputes to systemic issues within his companies, per Bloomberg Law. His claim of supporting Southern, as stated in a YouTube video, is now under renewed scrutiny as more employees come forward.
The controversy has also drawn attention to Johnson’s workplace culture, with former employees reporting he walked around with little clothing and flirted with Blueprint’s largely female staff, creating an environment where complaints were stifled by an “opt-in” agreement, according to the New York Times. These revelations paint a troubling picture of a leader more focused on control than accountability, further eroding his public image.
Southern’s cancer battle, now in remission, adds a layer of resilience to her story, as she told Vanity Fair the inability to respond to Johnson’s attacks was more painful than her treatment. Her defiance, despite the financial and emotional toll, has positioned her as a voice for others, potentially sparking a reckoning in the wellness industry over the ethics of NDAs and the treatment of employees.
As the N.L.R.B. investigation unfolds, the stakes for Johnson are immense—Blueprint’s financial woes, coupled with growing legal and public pressure, could dismantle his empire, while Southern’s push for transparency might lead to broader reforms, as suggested by legal experts in the New York Times.
