Naman Shrestha
‘Hollywood Hustler: Glitz, Glam, Scam’ is a three-part documentary series that chronicles the Ponzi scheme built by an aspiring actor named Zachary “Zach” Horwitz in order to follow his Hollywood dreams. While maintaining a double life with his wife, Mallory Hagedorn, and their two children, he managed to defraud hundreds of investors through forged documents and fake claims of being in business with Netflix, HBO, and Starbucks. Mallory features in the docuseries and shares her experience of being unaware of her ex-husband’s fraudulent schemes and how the truth left her shocked.
Mallory Hagedorn and Zach Horwitz Began Dating in College and Moved Cities Together
Mallory Hagedorn has carved a dynamic path for herself, right from her 20s. In 2010, she graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a degree in Tourism Management, reportedly majoring in Hospitality Management. Sometime around that time, she also served as a waitress at Outback Steakhouse. For a few years, she refined her skills while wearing several hats, including those of an event coordinator, wedding planner, and sometimes a florist. Some of the organizations she lent her services to are Cathy Teeter’s Beautiful Weddings and Red Frog Events. The Santa Claus, Indiana, native then relocated to Chicago for better opportunities and a bright future. It is imperative to note that she was already dating Zach Horwitz at the time. Therefore, the college sweethearts made the move together.
In the Windy City, Mallory held multiple jobs, including setting up courses for intense mud running cases and working in retail on Michigan Avenue. The latter led to her being chosen to star in a VH1 reality show at the age of 22. Around a year later, Mallory, Zach, and their beloved Rottweiler, Lucy, packed their bags and moved to Los Angeles (LA) with big dreams. It was only after working for a temp agency for about two months that Mallory realized her true calling lay elsewhere, not in the corporate world. Thus, she reportedly enrolled in a Cosmetology and Hair Styling course at the Vidal Sassoon Academy to pursue her passion. They settled in the neighborhood of Miracle Mile; while Zach was focused on making it big in the entertainment industry, Mallory kick-started her journey as a hairstylist at a West Hollywood salon.
Mallory Hagedorn Had No Idea About Zach Horwitz’s Double Life
After many years of togetherness, Mallory and Zach took the next step in their relationship by tying the knot sometime around 2014. In 2017, the pair welcomed their son, Jaxon, into their world. While Zach furthered his career as an actor and producer (mostly under his stage name Zach Avery), she devoted herself to her craft and established a name as a skilled hair stylist and colorist in LA. The two also added another family member with the birth of their second son, Cam, sometime in 2020, per reports. Everything seemed idyllic in the lives of the pair until the dawn of April 6, 2021, when the authorities swarmed to their house in the Beverlywood area to arrest Zach. In an instant, the trust and security that had anchored Mallory’s life came crashing down under the weight of Zach’s fraudulent schemes.
The revelation of Zach’s misconduct upended Mallory’s world, stripping her and the kids of the sense of stability they once knew. However, she didn’t let it define her; she kept going for the sake of her kids. The mother of two filed for divorce and custody of Jaxon on the same day. Talking about her then-husband of seven years at her court hearing at the Los Angeles County Superior Courts, Mallory said Zach was “deceiving and manipulating me and everyone around him, and he is not the person that I believed he was.” She had no idea about that part of Zach’s life and explained, “… being woken up to a troop of FBI agents swarming our house was the most terrifying thing I had ever experienced.” A few months later, in May 2021, their family home was sold for $5.9 million.
Mallory Has Embraced a Fresh Start With the Support of Her Loved Ones
Mallory Hagedorn spent over 12 years of her life with Zach Horwitz, the man who eventually broke her mentally and emotionally. However, post her separation from him, she has completely turned her life around for the better. The then-32-year-old relocated from Los Angeles to her home state, Indiana, into her parents’ place for a while. While she says she only had $100 to her name, she had her parents and her people who supported her every step of the way. Her decision also provided her kids with a nurturing environment. Today, the fierce, independent, and free-spirited woman is living her life to the fullest in the company of her two precious boys — Jaxon and Cam. The doting single mother of two is dedicated to building a fulfilling life for herself and her two sons, who are 7 and 4, respectively, as of writing.
At 36, she has achieved a renewed sense of independence and purpose. With strength and resilience, she continues to balance her work, motherhood, and self-growth efficiently. While she has moved forward from that experience and is thriving on all fronts, she continues to motivate others in the healing journey to prioritize their happiness and give life another chance to surprise them. Mallory has since purchased a cozy home in a city not far from her parents’ place, which she and her boys have packed with immense love and warmth. She is grateful to all the people who held her hand during her low time and encouraged her to believe in herself and life once again.
The Doting Mother of Two Has Built a Life Full of Joy and Passion
On the professional front, Mallory is an influencer with nearly 40k followers on Instagram. On her social media profile, she deals with content related to fashion, fitness, lifestyle, home, travel, skincare, makeup, etc., basically, a little bit of everything. She shares product recommendations with her followers and also maintains an Amazon Storefront to provide her followers with access to her curated collection of items. She is primarily an integral member of the team at Line One Hair, a brand dealing with luxury hair extensions and hair care products. Mallory mentioned she is also building a brand as well as overseeing two companies.
While Indiana is her home, she frequently travels to Los Angeles for work purposes. It appears that the friendships she formed during her 20s in the City of Angels have remained strong. An avid fitness enthusiast, Mallory enjoys working out and is a regular at the gym. However, most importantly, she loves to create beautiful memories with her sons, whether it’s cuddling up in bed, going on a shopping run, or embarking on vacations as a family. When she’s not working, she loves to unwind with her friends and family. From what we can tell, Mallory has put her past behind her and is leading a life she’s proud of, surrounded by the people who make her heart fill with joy and gratitude.
