A new Netflix series dramatises the real-life story of Belle Gibson, the Australian wellness influencer who built an empire off the back of a non-existent brain tumour. Helen Coffey sorts reality from fantasy by digging into the bizarre true events that inspired the show
Netflix’s *Apple Cider Vinegar* is a six-part series that tells the story of a young influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer using diet and alternative therapies. Based on the book *The Woman Who Fooled The World* by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, the series stars Kaitlyn Dever, Aisha Dee, and Essie Davis. While the show is described as “inspired by a true story,” it includes fictionalized characters and events. The influencer gained significant attention, claiming over 2 million followers (though she actually had around 1 million). Her app, which promoted her diet, became a global success, even being selected for the Apple smartwatch. However, the book and app were later pulled. The series accurately portrays the aftermath of her deception. *Apple Cider Vinegar* is now available on Netflix.
