Belle Gibson, the Australian wellness influencer who duped the world, takes center stage in Netflix’s six-episode series Apple Cider Vinegar, which rocketed to the streamer’s most-watched show after its Feb. 6, 2025, debut.
Played by Kaitlyn Dever, Gibson’s tale of faking terminal brain cancer with a “natural cure” story unravels in what Netflix calls “a true-ish story based on a lie.” Once hailed as a health guru, her empire of lies crashed in 2015, and now her saga captivates viewers anew.
Gibson shot to fame in 2014, claiming she beat cancer through diet and natural remedies, not chemo or radiation. Her app, The Whole Pantry, won Apple’s best food and drink award and a spot on the Apple Watch. Penguin published her cookbook, and magazines like Elle and Cosmopolitan showered her with praise.
But journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, authors of The Woman Who Fooled the World, exposed her in 2015. Their probe revealed Gibson, now 33, never had cancer—a bombshell that toppled her wellness throne.
Gibson’s deceit ran deep. She claimed a malignant brain tumor gave her four months to live, adding fake tales of strokes, heart surgery deaths, and cancer in her blood, spleen, uterus, and liver. She boasted on Instagram about donating 25% of The Whole Pantry profits to charity.
Yet, The Age found no trace of those funds. Her stories about her health, age, and past didn’t add up either. As scrutiny mounted, the high school dropout deleted posts and accounts. In April 2015, she confessed to Australia’s Women’s Weekly: She never had cancer. “None of it’s true,” she admitted.
Two months later, Gibson backtracked on 60 Minutes, claiming a fake doctor misdiagnosed her in 2009, and she only learned the truth years later. “I’ve not been intentionally untruthful,” she insisted. Despite the chaos, she’s dodged criminal charges.
Series creator Samantha Strauss told The Guardian she sought empathy for Gibson but couldn’t absolve her actions. The show dramatizes this messy downfall, blending fact with a raw look at her psyche.
Gibson’s lies didn’t just mislead fans—they peddled risky health advice. Her rise and fall, fueled by Instagram’s early days, show the power of influence gone wrong. Apple Cider Vinegar dives into her scams, from fake donations to fabricated illnesses, offering a cautionary tale.
With firsthand accounts from investigations and Gibson’s own words, the series grips viewers. Since its debut, it’s sparked talks about trust, wellness culture, and accountability—proving her story still stings a decade later.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Jaja’s career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including Business Times and Brigada. As a news editor, she covered a wide range of beats, including business, economy, cryptocurrency, and personal finance. Additionally, she has successfully managed teams of writers producing content on gaming, technology, and entertainment.
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