Netflix has just released its new limited series, Apple Cider Vinegar, which delves into the scandalous story of Australian wellness influencer Belle Gibson.
But behind being known as an Instagram wellness guru, she fabricated a terminal cancer diagnosis to build her online empire.
Starring Kaitlyn Dever as Gibson, Apple Cider Vinegar explores the intricate web of deception she spun and its devastating impact on those who trusted her.
So, get to know more about Gibson and her cancer hoax.
Belle Gibson and Her Rise to Fame
Gibson rose to fame in the early 2010s when she claimed she had cured her brain cancer by using alternative therapies and healthy eating.
She then launched her Instagram account @healing_belle in 2013, where she shared recipes and updates about her supposed terminal illness.
As expected, her story quickly gained traction, earning her thousands of followers and helping her establish herself as a wellness guru.
Of course, she took advantage of this fame and launched a health app called “The Whole Pantry.” She even wrote an accompanying cookbook of the same name.
In an instant, Gibson built her own media empire, with the world watching and hoping that her approach to her treatment would work. Her app reportedly generated A$420,000 or about £213,500.
However, little did anyone know that beneath this façade lay a complex network of lies designed to exploit vulnerable individuals seeking hope in their own health struggles.
The Cancer Hoax Exposed
As they say, no secret can be hidden forever, and an investigation by The Age newspaper in 2015 revealed that Gibson’s story was only fabricated, resulting in a huge scandal.
Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano of Scribe Publications called her the “woman who fooled the world” in 2017.
Gibson never had cancer and only used her false diagnosis to gain sympathy and credibility.
Charities for which she claimed to have raised money came forward to reveal they never received any funds from her as the news started to spread.
Gibson eventually admitted that none of it was true during an interview with Australian Women's Weekly in April 2015.
When asked if she has or ever has had cancer, she revealed, “No. None of it’s true.”
Despite this admission, many questions remain unanswered about what drove such extensive deception.
Belle Gibson Inspired Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar
Created by Samantha Strauss, Apple Cider Vinegar is inspired by Belle Gibson’s story, blending real events with fictional elements to illustrate how easily the truth can be distorted online.
The series captivates viewers by raising critical questions about trust and responsibility in digital spaces, where anyone can gain influence overnight—often without scrutiny of their credibility.
In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, especially on social media, questioning what we see and hear is more important than ever.
As Gibson deceived the world into rejecting conventional medicine, Apple Cider Vinegar serves as a stark reminder to remain vigilant about the information we consume online.
Apple Cider Vinegar is now streaming on Netflix.