Meet the Real People Behind Netflix’s Hit Show Apple Cider Vinegar

by

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been swept up by the recent buzz surrounding Netflix’s new show, Apple Cider Vinegar. It certainly has everyone talking! However, just like any intriguing series, it’s sparked some curiosity among viewers about the accuracy of its content. Let me set the record straight: while the creators have crafted an engaging narrative, they’ve also taken creative liberties in shaping certain plotlines and characters. So, if you find yourself questioning whether every scene mirrors reality, remember that there may be a bit of artistic license at play!

In the portrayal of Belle Gibson, some supporting characters have been given new names to preserve their privacy. Here’s a brief rundown of five key figures, revealing their real-life identities and the adjustments made for the show:

1. Character A (Real Life: Close Friend X) – Initially portrayed as a close confidante, this character has been fictionalized to protect the identity of Friend X.

2. Character B (Real Life: Lawyer Y) – In the series, Character B is depicted as a legal advisor. This role is based on Attorney Y, whose involvement in real life required alteration for dramatic purposes.

3. Character C (Real Life: Doctor Z) – Portrayed as a medical professional offering guidance to Belle, this character is modeled after Dr. Z, who provided consultations during the events chronicled.

4. Character D (Real Life: Journalist A) – In the show, Character D represents a media figure investigating Belle’s story. This role is inspired by Journalist A, who reported on the original events in real life.

5. Character E (Real Life: Family Member B) – As a family member offering support to Belle, this character is based on Family Member B from her actual life. The name and some details have been changed to ensure anonymity.

 

Belle Gibson

The narrative centers around Belle Gibson, a woman who built an empire in wellness by falsely claiming to have terminal brain cancer on social media. Known for her real-life influence, she left many stunned with her elaborate deceptions and dishonesty during the 2010s.

She built an empire, launched a health app, and kept up appearances until two Australian reporters discovered a weakness and delved deeper, ultimately revealing her real identity. Despite her whereabouts being uncertain, it is thought that she resides in Melbourne and is keeping a low profile.

Milla Blake

On the show, Milla Blake was portrayed as Belle’s main rival. However, it’s important to note that this character is fictional. She was modeled after wellness influencer Jessica Ainscough, a former teen magazine editor who gained widespread attention for her approach to beating cancer without resorting to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Just like Milla (Alycia Debnam-Carey), Ainscough was identified with a seldom soft-tissue cancer known as Epithelioid Sarcoma. Regrettably, she lost her battle against this fatal condition at the age of 29.

Chantelle

The character portrayed by Aisha Dee is fictional and derived from two real-life individuals connected to 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 Chanelle McAuliffe, a close friend of Gibson who played a significant role in revealing his 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, stating in an interview with Woman’s Day, “I simply wanted to prevent her from doing any more harm.

Clive Rotwell

Character portrayed by Ashley Zukerman, named Clive, is modeled after a real person with the same moniker. Clive and Gibson had a complex partnership marked by strife. In time, Clive took on a paternal role for Gibson’s child. He also assisted Gibson in legitimizing her brand. However, things took a turn when Clive grew wary of potential fraudulent activities.

However, even though he uncovered the truth, Rotwell chose to stand by the controversial influencer and her son out of love. After Gibson’s trial in 2019 and 2023, Rotwell has been keeping a low profile and was recently seen relocating to a new town.

Justin 

The fictional character in this story bears a resemblance to Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, two Australian investigative journalists known for unmasking the truth about Gibson. In reality, these journalists revealed that Gibson had falsely claimed to donate her earnings to charity, yet no evidence of transfer was discovered. They also criticized Gibson for lying publicly about her age, among other things. Unfortunately, at present, there’s no information available regarding their current whereabouts.

Read More

2025-02-09 01:52