Meet the Real People Behind Netflix’s Hit ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’—Where Are They Now?

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Netflix’s newest series, Apple Cider Vinegar, has everyone talking! However, it’s important to note that while the show is based on real events, some aspects of the storyline and characters have been altered for dramatic effect.

Despite portraying Belle Gibson truthfully, some secondary characters’ names have been changed to protect their identities. Here’s a rundown of five key figures, revealing their real-life roles and the changes made specifically for the production:

1. Character A (originally known as X) – A close friend of Belle Gibson, who provided emotional support during difficult times, but was also present during some controversial events. In our adaptation, this character is depicted as a confidant named Charlie.

2. Character B (originally Y) – A healthcare professional who treated Belle Gibson, often prescribing her various medications and offering medical advice. For the show, we call this figure Dr. Anderson to ensure anonymity.

3. Character C (originally Z) – A family member of one of the victims involved in the controversy surrounding Belle Gibson’s actions. This person serves as a voice for those affected by her choices. In our adaptation, they are portrayed as Aunt Karen to protect their identity.

4. Character D (originally W) – An employee at one of Belle Gibson’s businesses who played a crucial role in the company’s operations and financial dealings. This individual is depicted as Office Manager Jane for the production.

5. Character E (originally V) – A journalist who covered Belle Gibson’s story extensively, uncovering important details about her life and actions. In our adaptation, this character is represented by Reporter Sarah to maintain their anonymity.

 

Belle Gibson

The narrative centers around Belle Gibson, a woman who built an empire in the wellness industry by falsely claiming to have terminal brain cancer on social media. She was a real-life influencer whose deception left many stunned during the 2010s.

She built an empire, launched a health-focused app, and kept up appearances until two Australian journalists discovered a weakness and dug deeper, eventually exposing her real character. It is thought that Gibson resides in Melbourne, keeping a low profile to avoid attention.

Milla Blake

On the TV series, Milla Blake was depicted as Belle’s main competitor. However, it should be noted that this character is fictional; she was modeled after Jessica Ainscough, a real-life wellness influencer who became famous for sharing her cancer treatment journey without undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Just like Milla (Alycia Debnam-Carey), Ainscough was identified with a seldom soft-tissue cancer known as Epithelioid Sarcoma. Regrettably, she lost her life due to this terminal illness at the tender age of 29.

Chantelle

The character portrayed by Aisha Dee is not an actual person, but rather a composite of two individuals from Gibson’s life. One of these individuals is the manager of Ainscough, as mentioned in the book “The Woman Who Fooled the World.” The other is Gibson’s close friend Chanelle McAuliffe, who played a significant role in revealing Gibson’s scandal.

McAuliffe was most recently featured in the 2024 ITV documentary titled “Instagram’s Worst Con Artist.” She frequently speaks to media outlets about her choice to reveal her friend’s scandal, explaining, “I simply wanted to prevent her from doing any more harm,” during an interview with Woman’s Day.

Clive Rotwell

The character named Clive, portrayed by Ashley Zukerman, is modeled after a real person with the same name. Clive had an unhealthy relationship with the main character, Gibson. He functioned as a father figure for Gibson’s son and assisted her in formally registering her brand. However, things took a turn when he began suspecting fraudulent activities.

However, even after uncovering the truth, Rotwell remained loyal to the controversial influencer and her son due to his feelings of love. Following Gibson’s trial in 2019 and 2023, Rotwell has been keeping a low profile and was seen relocating to another town.

Justin 

The fictional character in question bears a vague resemblance to the Australian investigative journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, who in reality exposed Gibson for fabricating charitable donations and publicly lying about her age, among other things. Unfortunately, there’s no current information on their whereabouts.

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2025-02-09 01:40