In the realm of health and wellness, trust is paramount. Yet, in a tale that captivated and enraged the nation, the story of Australian wellness influencer Belle Gibson stands as a stark reminder of the potential for deceit in the digital age.
It’s a narrative that has left many Australians reeling, as they grapple with the realisation that someone could exploit the vulnerabilities of those seeking hope in the face of an illness.
The series, titled Apple Cider Vinegar and ‘inspired by a true story that was based on a lie,’ is a six-episode journey through Gibson’s story about fabricating a cancer diagnosis to promote her health advice and products, as well as her meteoric rise to fame and her subsequent catastrophic downfall.
Kaitlyn Dever, known for her roles in Booksmart and Dopesick, takes on the challenging role of Belle Gibson with a performance, complete with a convincing Australian accent. With her portrayal, she seeks to explore the complexities of Gibson’s psyche, offering viewers a glimpse into the thoughts behind her fraudulent acts.
Joining Dever in the series is Alycia Debnam-Carey of Fear The Walking Dead and The 100. She plays Milla Blake’s character, a young woman who refuses to have her cancer-stricken arm amputated and later creates a platform advocating the power of food in the fight against cancer.
Her character is said to be based on Jessica Ainscough, a writer and ‘wellness warrior’ diagnosed with epithelioid sarcoma. She received her diagnosis at 22 years old and passed away in 2015.
Aisha Dee of The Bold Type and Safe Home, Tilda Cobham-Hervey of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and Hotel Mumbai, and Mark Coles Smith of Mystery Road: Origin are also part of the cast. Their stories serve as poignant reminders of the stakes involved when false hope is peddled as a cure.
Samantha Strauss, the show’s creator and an award-winning Australian writer, has crafted a narrative that goes beyond the surface-level scandal.
‘The character of Belle is our creation. I think she had a big hole inside. She wanted to feel love, never felt like she had enough love, yearned for approval,’ she said, adding, ‘I was probably in danger of feeling way too empathetic for her all the time. You just put yourself in her shoes and imagine it from that point of view.’
Yet, the series does not shy away from the harsh reality of Gibson’s deceit, as it also focuses on the victims of her lies.
‘I didn’t want to glorify Belle and give her a six-episode biopic. This is a story about wellness, medicine, being a young woman, and living and dying,’ Strauss said.
The show draws inspiration from the 2017 book The Woman Who Fooled The World by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, which chronicles the investigative journalism that ultimately exposed Gibson’s falsehoods. The series expands on this foundation, weaving in fictional elements to highlight the real-world damage caused by Gibson’s scam.
Apple Cider Vinegar is not just a recounting of a scandal. The series also touches on the gendered nature of healthcare and the discrimination women often face in medical settings.
It’s a timely conversation, especially considering a 2024 report from the Department of Health and Aged Care, which found that two-thirds of Australian women have experienced healthcare-related gender bias or discrimination.
Meanwhile, for Dever, the role of Gibson was more than just another acting gig; it was a personal journey, as she had recently lost her mother to breast cancer. The series resonated with her deeply, highlighting the importance of truthful storytelling in the context of such a sensitive subject.
‘My mum passed away last year from breast cancer and had a 14-15-year long battle with it. This story hits home for me in a deeper way than anything I’ve ever done,’ she explains.
Watch Apple Cider Vinegar’s official trailer below:
For our readers over 50, who have likely seen their fair share of health fads and scams, Gibson’s story may resonate on a different level. It’s a reminder to remain vigilant and to seek out credible sources of information, especially when it comes to our health.
As this series makes its way into living rooms across Australia and beyond, it’s an opportunity for us to engage in a conversation about trust, truth, and health trends.
Have you encountered wellness scams in your life? How do you navigate the overwhelming amount of health information available today? Join the discussion below and let’s learn from each other’s experiences.
If you have watched the series already, share your thoughts with the YourLifeChoices community, too. We would love to hear from you.
Also read: Real help or just hype? Expert weighs in on viral health trend online!
