So, Netflix just introduced me to the mystery that is Belle Gibson through the new limited series, Apple Cider Vinegar. Belle (played by Kaitlyn Dever) is a young mum and founder of an app called 'The Whole Pantry' where she advises people on how they can cure their cancer naturally, just like she has cured herself of a cancer in her brain. Her app, speaking engagements, social media following and eventual book take the wellness industry by storm, getting the attention of Penguin Books and even Apple. But one slight problem brings everything crashing down;
Belle doesn't have cancer.
I would say 'spoiler alert', but everything you just read actually happened. Like in our timeline.
First of all, I'm shocked Belle went to such great lengths to lie, because 1) the Nigerian in me can't fathom calling such negativity to myself; and 2) if you think about it, Belle was a very smart businesswoman. The fact that she envisioned something and made it so lucrative is actually a gift. She could have used those powers for good! But then again, I guess part of what made it go so well for her is that she took advantage of people's genuine need for help. And in that case, Belle is truly despicable.
There can be debate every which way about why she did what she did. Did she have to lie for attention because she never got any at home? Did she have such a rough childhood that she developed some mental health issue that makes her believe her lies? (For real, there's a 60 Minutes Australia interview with the real life Belle Gibson where it seems every other word out of her mouth is a lie). Or did she just love money and fame that much?
In the show, Dever portrays Belle as being addicted to the attention, most likely because she'd been starved of it, but to the point where other people were just extras in her story. People that existed solely to lift her up, no matter what happened to them.
Social media and influencing always comes with a layer of skepticism, and I think a little healthy skepticism is good. It's what eventually causes Belle to be found out, and what can save us from the weight of comparison and depression. And I don't mean skepticism like jealousy ("it's even plastic" people, wya? 👀), I mean asking questions. How is that person you're watching able to be where they're at? Are you in the same circumstances? What are they really selling to you, and do you want a part in it? There's nothing wrong with being genuinely happy for people, or scrolling on by when you've reasoned through their post.
And then there's times when you're in a situation that leaves you particularly vulnerable, situations like the ones Belle stole and then took advantage of. In those situations, as the show depicts, there is so much heartbreak in finding out you're being deceived. There's an element of duty influencers should bring to their work because of this; where it's not just about the bag or the places you can go, but about the people you drew to yourself who now look up to you. Especially in an industry like the wellness industry.
It's flabbergasting the things some people are able to get away with. Then again, privilege is real, huh?
Apple Cider Vinegar is streaming on Netflix.
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