Facialist to the stars, husband accused of creepy Scientology monitoring and ‘toxic’ behavior by staff: ‘Worst people I’ve ever met’
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Scoring a spot at NYC’s upcoming Met Gala is just the beginning for boldfacers and A-listers lucky enough to be included in the top social event of the spring season, held on May 6 this year.
What follows the sought-after invite is months of preparation. There are fittings to attend at top ateliers, high-priced hotel suites at The Mark to secure — and, for many, trips to Joanna Vargas’ glossy Fifth Avenue spa to achieve that camera-ready glow.
Naomi Watts, Rachel Weisz, Laverne Cox, Emma Roberts — all have turned to the high-profile esthetician, whose facials can cost up to $1,200.
But a Post investigation revealed accusations of a toxic workplace behind the scenes, where staff were allegedly belittled and criticized, worked until they fainted or had panic attacks, and were required to participate in training and performance exercises they say were tied to Scientology.
“Joanna and Cesar Vargas — they’re the crux of the operation,” a former front desk assistant explained of the elite spot. “They’re some of the worst people I’ve ever met.”
For many women who dreamt of building careers as estheticians, landing a job at Joanna Vargas’s spas — there are three locations, one in Midtown, one in Brooklyn and a third in Los Angeles — was the holy grail. Vargas built a loyal following over the last 20 years — according to those close to her, she’s employed more than 300 people during that time — and positioned herself as a leader in wellness and female empowerment.
Read more https://nypost.com/2026/04/16/lifestyle/joanna-vargas-spa-employees-accuse-facialist-to-the-stars-of-toxic-workplace-post-investigation/
Content retrieved from: https://nypost.com/2026/04/16/lifestyle/joanna-vargas-spa-employees-accuse-facialist-to-the-stars-of-toxic-workplace-post-investigation/.
