Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar Dramatizes Belle Gibson’s Shocking Health Fraud

Belle Gibson rose to fame and fortune by deceiving her followers into believing she had cured her terminal cancer through alternative therapies and a strict diet.

The Australian influencer built a massive social media presence based on her fraudulent health claims, which are now the subject of Netflix’s gripping new six-part drama series, Apple Cider Vinegar, released on February 6, 2025.

Gibson’s Fraudulent Rise to Fame

In 2009, Gibson claimed she had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and given just six weeks to live.

She rejected conventional chemotherapy, stating that it made her sick, and instead turned to alternative treatments.

In 2013, she launched The Whole Pantry app, followed by a book of the same name, claiming that her gluten-free and sugar-free diet had miraculously cured her illness. Within a month, the app was downloaded 200,000 times.

Gibson also fabricated additional health struggles, falsely claiming to have undergone multiple heart surgeries, suffered strokes, and experienced cancer metastasis to her blood, spleen, uterus, and liver.

These claims built a strong yet completely fraudulent wellness empire that duped thousands.

Investigations Uncover the Truth

Suspicions surrounding Gibson’s story began to surface in April 2015. One of her close friends, Chanelle McAuliffe, expressed doubt after witnessing Gibson have a seizure but recover suspiciously quickly when an ambulance was suggested.

Investigative journalist Richard Guillatt also delved into her claims and discovered inconsistencies. During an interview, Gibson admitted she had never been officially diagnosed with cancer.

In a recorded conversation, Guillatt confronted her: “Christ almighty, Belle, you’re kidding? You actually don’t have cancer?” With this revelation, Gibson’s fabricated narrative crumbled, and her deception was exposed worldwide.

Legal Consequences and Public Fallout

Gibson’s fraudulent activities led to severe legal consequences. In 2016, she was investigated by Consumer Affairs Victoria for deceptive practices regarding donations she claimed to have made to charity.

She was fined $410,000 AUD (£214,000) in September 2017 for misleading conduct. By 2020, her debts had ballooned to over $500,000 AUD due to accumulating interest.

To recover the unpaid fines, the Sheriff’s Office of Victoria raided Gibson’s home in both 2020 and 2021.

Following the raids, she released a video claiming she was living with the Ethiopian community in Melbourne, a claim disputed by the president of the Australian Oromo Community Association, Tarekegn Chimdia.

Despite her fall from grace, Gibson is believed to still reside in Melbourne, having withdrawn entirely from social media.

Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar: A Dramatization of Deception

Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar is a dramatized retelling of Gibson’s rise and fall, shedding light on the dangers of social media-fueled wellness scams.

The series, starring Kaitlyn Dever as Gibson, not only recounts her fraudulent journey but also follows two women battling real cancer diagnoses: Milla (Alycia Debnam-Carey) and Lucy (Tilda Cobham-Hervey).

While Milla turns to alternative medicine in the hope of curing her illness, Lucy undergoes rigorous conventional treatments.

Their stories contrast the real-life struggles of cancer patients with the opportunistic deception of influencers like Gibson.

The Power and Pitfalls of Social Media

Apple Cider Vinegar critiques the unchecked power of social media in spreading medical misinformation.

Through gripping performances and a non-linear narrative, the series exposes how influencers exploit vulnerable individuals while evading accountability.

Justin (Mark Coles Smith), Lucy’s husband, and Chanelle (Aisha Dee), Gibson’s former friend and manager, play pivotal roles in exposing the truth behind the fraudulent wellness empire.

Milla Blake: A Character Inspired by Real-Life Wellness Gurus

Milla Blake, played by Alycia Debnam-Carey, is a fictional character inspired by real-life wellness influencers, particularly Jessica Ainscough.

Ainscough, a former magazine editor, documented her journey of managing cancer through holistic dieting, rejecting conventional medical treatment in favor of controversial Gerson Therapy.

Though she initially believed in alternative therapies, she ultimately succumbed to cancer in 2015.

The series fictionalizes certain aspects, including a rivalry between Milla and Gibson that did not exist in real life.

While they moved within the same wellness circles, their only real-life interaction was a brief encounter at a wellness conference.

A Cautionary Tale for the Digital Age

Beyond exposing Gibson’s deception, Apple Cider Vinegar serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities of those facing life-threatening illnesses and the dangers of misinformation.

It underscores the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based healthcare in an era where social media can amplify harmful, unverified claims.

With its compelling storytelling and sharp critique of wellness culture, Apple Cider Vinegar offers an eye-opening and infuriating glimpse into the dark side of the influencer industry, making it a must-watch for today’s misinformation-laden world.