I just finished watching Apple Cider Vinegar: The Story of Belle Gibson, The Cancer Scammer,

and honestly, I feel a mix of emotions—disbelief, anger, and a strange sense of fascination. This documentary dives into the rise and fall of Belle Gibson, a so-called wellness influencer who built an empire on the lie that she had terminal cancer and was healing herself naturally. It’s one of those stories that makes you question how easily people can be manipulated, and how dangerous the wellness industry can be when it’s built on unchecked claims and blind faith.

The $6.3 trillion global wellness industry is built on promises—detox teas, superfoods, “miracle” supplements, and, of course, apple cider vinegar, a supposed cure-all for everything from digestive issues to glowing skin. But beneath the glossy Instagram posts and influencer marketing lies a far murkier reality: an industry where pseudoscience sells faster than facts, and where figures like Belle Gibson rise to fame—only to fall spectacularly.

Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar is the latest true-crime exposé to explore the intersection of social media, wellness culture, and deceit, chronicling the rise and fall of Belle Gibson—the Australian influencer who built an empire on a cancer lie. But beyond her individual fraud, her story raises urgent questions about how social media fuels wellness scams, the dangers of alternative health misinformation, and why, in the digital age, people are so quick to believe in miracle cures.

Who is Belle Gibson? The Woman Who Lied About Cancer for Fame

In the early 2010s, Belle Gibson was everywhere. A young, beautiful, and seemingly wholesome wellness guru, she claimed to be battling terminal brain cancer, which she insisted she was curing through a strict regimen of clean eating, alternative therapies, and natural remedies. No chemotherapy. No surgery. Just a holistic lifestyle that she preached to millions.

Her message was intoxicating. She wasn’t just an influencer—she was an inspiration. Her Instagram exploded, her app, The Whole Pantry, skyrocketed to the top of the charts, and publishers rushed to sign book deals. Apple itself partnered with her, planning to feature her app on the Apple Watch.

But there was one problem: Belle Gibson never had cancer.

The Deception That Shattered Lives

As journalists and former fans began digging deeper into her story, cracks appeared. Medical professionals questioned her claims, inconsistencies surfaced, and charities she claimed to have donated to never received a cent. In 2015, an explosive exposé revealed the truth: Gibson had fabricated her entire illness.

Her fall was swift and brutal. She was publicly shamed, sued by the Australian government, and fined $410,000 for deceptive conduct—a penalty she has still failed to pay. Authorities have since attempted to seize assets from her home, yet she continues to evade financial accountability.

But the damage was already done. Vulnerable followers—many with real cancer diagnoses—had been led to believe they could reject traditional treatment in favour of Belle’s lifestyle. Some potentially delayed life-saving interventions because they trusted her lies.

The Bigger Problem: How Wellness Scammers Thrive in the Digital Age

Belle Gibson’s story isn’t unique—it’s part of a larger epidemic of influencer-driven misinformation. The wellness industry, now worth trillions, is a breeding ground for viral pseudoscience, and social media platforms reward the most sensational, emotionally charged narratives.

Just like Elizabeth Holmes (The Dropout) misled investors with false promises of revolutionary blood tests, or Anna Sorokin (Inventing Anna) fooled New York’s elite into believing she was an heiress, Gibson capitalised on trust, emotion, and aspiration—a deadly combination.

Her case is a chilling reminder that, in an era of TikTok health hacks and Instagram wellness trends, we are increasingly placing our faith in influencers rather than experts. And the consequences can be fatal.

Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar: A Must-Watch or a Missed Opportunity?

While Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar does a commendable job in unpacking Gibson’s lies and their impact, it also raises questions about whether the series glamorises its subject too much. Some critics argue that, like Inventing Anna, it presents Gibson as an enigmatic figure rather than the predatory fraudster she truly is.

That said, for those unfamiliar with the case, the series is an eye-opening deep dive into influencer deception, and a necessary reminder that in the age of social media, aesthetics and storytelling often outweigh truth.

The Takeaway: Why We Must Stop Idolising Influencers Over Science

The Belle Gibson saga is a warning. Misinformation isn’t just a nuisance—it’s dangerous. It can cost people money, trust, and in the worst cases, their lives.

As wellness scams continue to thrive, it’s up to platforms, regulators, and consumers to be more critical. Before buying into the latest health trend or influencer-endorsed cure, we must ask: Where is the evidence? Who benefits from this claim? And at what cost?

Because as Belle Gibson’s story proves, not every influencer deserves our trust—and some will sell us anything, even if it means selling us a lie.

Apple Cider Vinegar is available to stream on Netflix now.

Belle Gibson and The Wellness Scam That Fooled the World

THE DARK TRUTH BEHIND NETFLIX'S APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

ENTERTAINMENT /

Image: Netflix

By Elena A. Hart

15.02.2025