The much-awaited Australian series Apple Cider Vinegar was released on Netflix on February 6, 2025, and ever since then, it has started to create a buzz all around the world including in India. Created and written by Samantha Strauss, Apple Cider Vinegar is a mini-series that is based on a book titled The Woman Who Fooled the World by Beau Donnelly and Nick Toscano. The Woman Who Fooled the World by Beau Donnelly and Nick Toscano chronicles the true story of social media influence & wellness Guru Belle Gibson aka Annabelle Natalie Gibson who faked her cancer to get famous as well as earn millions. Hence, fans have been digging deep into Apple Cider Vinegar Real Story or Apple Cider Vinegar True Story.
Apple Cider Vinegar features Kaitlyn Dever as Belle Gibson, Alycia Debnam-Carey as Milla Blake, Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Lucy, Aisha Dee as Chanelle, Mark Coles Smith as Justin (Lucy's husband) and an investigative journalist who ends up exposing Belle's scams, and more in the leading roles. Since the current age is of social media, fans are keenly digging deep into Apple Cider Vinegar Real Story or Apple Cider Vinegar True Story. Below is who is Belle Gibson and where is she now-
What did Belle Gibson do?
As shown in Apple Cider Vinegar, Belle Gibson was living in Australia and working in a call center for a life insurance company. Episode one showcased Gibson was also undergoing loneliness and hence, it was one of the key factors why she resorted to faking her illness. For instance, the series showcased Belle Gibson, inviting her colleagues of the office for her baby shower. However, no one turned up and she was left broken. As a result, she got a headache due to which she heads to a hospital where she starts crying saying she feels there is a tumor inside her head.
After undergoing tests, Belle Gibson went home and started posting on social media that she had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and that has decided to cure herself naturally rather than by undergoing surgery. As a result, her post started to get traction and she became famous on social media enjoying great followers.
Who is Belle Gibson?
Hailing from Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, Belle Gibson rose to fame as a food and health blogger. Belle amassed thousands of followers on social media by faking two cardiac arrests and a stroke, and then alleging she had terminal cancer. What raised everyone's attention is that she claimed to have treated herself from cancer by natural remedies. Belle Gibson had claimed that she had an inoperable brain tumor and she was given just 6 months to live by the doctors. However, Apple Cider Vinegar showcased that her medical report came totally fine and there was no brain tumor or terminal brain cancer.
How Belle Gibson's lies were exposed?
As shown in the series Gibson was writing a book and this was the final nail in the coffin of her frauds. When her book The Whole Pantry mobile app was released in 2014, Gibson's fraud began to unravel. The book's preface stated she had been "stable for two years now with no growth of cancer" — a claim contradicting what she'd previously told media outlets. Writers Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano uncovered Gibson's lies about her sham charity donations, details which were then shared in their book The Woman Who Fooled the World.
What happened to Belle Gibson?
In May 2016, Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) announced it was launching a civil case against Belle Gibson and her company. It also confirmed that Penguin had aided in the investigation, admitting it didn't verify Gibson's health claims prior to publishing The Whole Pantry cookbook and agreeing to make a $30,000 donation to the Victorian Consumer Law Fund. In March 2017, Federal Court Justice Debra Mortimer upheld "most but not all" of CAV's allegations, finding that the then-25-year-old engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct.
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Did Belle Gibson go to jail?
The answer is no. Gibson has not been prosecuted or convicted of a crime. The Wellness Guru was found to have breached consumer laws but that's not the same or as serious as criminal fraud charges which would attract jail time. However, she was slapped heavy penalty which the influencer has not paid, suggests Australian media.
Where is Belle Gibson now?
As per Australian media reports, in January 2020, Victoria's Sheriff's Office raided her house as her fines soared upto $500,000 including penalties and interest. Interestingly, a day after the raid at Gibson's house, footage emerged on social media of Gibson attending an event for Ethiopia's Oromo community in Melbourne while wearing a headscarf and using a different name.
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In the footage, Gibson was speaking partially in the Oromo language. She discussed the political situation in Ethiopia with an interviewer and referring to Ethiopia as "back home". She professed to have been adopted by the Ethiopian community in Melbourne after volunteering for four years, calling the adoption a gift from "Allah".