Netflix’s latest release, Apple Cider Vinegar, is a six-episode series based on the life of a pathological liar, manipulator, and scammer, Belle Gibson. How could someone ever lie about having cancer? This is the first question that’ll probably pop into your head, and the series tries to untangle Gibson’s past, which possibly resulted in her blatantly lying to the world to gain sympathy and boost her business. In 2015, the first wave of social media influencers had already started making their mark, and Gibson was one of them. She became a social media star after she shared her story of surviving cancer following a strict diet and alternative medication. Soon, she launched her app, “The Whole Pantry,” followed by the release of her cookbook by the same name. Apple Cider Vinegar repeatedly reminds its audience that it is a true story based on a lie and that certain characters and situations have been altered for dramatization. When you’re dealing with a pathological liar, you barely ever know the truth, which is pretty much the point the series arrives at.
Spoiler Alert
Why did Belle Gibson lie about having cancer?
As a young girl, Belle craved attention. Her mother, Natalie, was lost in her world of fantasy and barely looked after her. She was a single mother who was so wrapped up in her troubles that she did not have any idea what Belle was up to. She worked in the travel business for a couple of years; she was apparently also a tennis player before that. She was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, though we don’t know if we can trust the information since both Belle and Natalie are unreliable characters on the show.
Belle ran away from her house at the age of 12; she then spent quite some time living with her work mentor, though the series chooses not to focus on that bit of her life. Belle had gotten so desperate for her mother’s love and affection that she lied about having a heart condition that would require surgery. But Natalie did not pay heed; she had gotten used to Belle’s lies. That was when Belle ran away from her house. Her past explained why, in her early twenties, Belle ended up lying about having cancer. When she was pregnant with her first child, her husband did not pay attention to her, her job was unsatisfying, and she did not have any friends. She had organized a baby shower, but no one showed up, and she experienced an excruciating pain in her head. Belle went to the hospital and got an MRI scan, and the report stated there was nothing unusual and she had no reason to worry. After returning home, Belle texted her friends expressing her disappointment in them not showing up; she also mentioned going to the hospital, and when her friends inquired about the reason behind the hospital visit, she, without much hesitation, replied she had been diagnosed with malignant brain cancer and the doctor had mentioned she had “six weeks to live, four months tops.” Belle added that she would fight the fight and prove the doctors wrong. Soon texts started to pour in on the group chat; her friends extended their love and support, and Belle instantly felt good about herself. One of her friends mentioned Milla Blake, a cancer survivor and blogger who’d documented her journey and inspired many to adopt alternative medication to fight cancer. Belle was instantly inspired; she wanted to become the next Milla, and she soon joined cancer support communities online and shared her story. Belle had started to believe her own lies, which was possibly why she did not feel guilty lying to her followers. She was also an expert manipulator who always got what she wanted. She had the skill to identify people’s weaknesses instantly, and she used it against them. Belle might have suffered from Munchausen by Internet (MBI), a syndrome where one joins online support groups for people with serious conditions and later claims to have the condition themselves. But categorizing her as a victim of the condition might be a stretch considering how she went ahead and built a business around it.
How did Chanelle discover the truth?
Chanelle, based on Belle’s manager, Chanelle McAuliffe, was initially extremely supportive of her client, but she soon figured out it was all a big fat lie. Chanelle was Milla’s childhood best friend and also her manager. Belle had figured that if she wanted to reach a wider audience, she would need Chanelle’s help. Chanelle was already well-versed with the wellness segment online, and since she did not quite agree with Milla’s decision to sell organic juices, she thought maybe she could try and help Belle with her business. She was genuinely excited about the app that provided recipes and wellness tips, and her story naturally attracted a pool of cancer patients who heavily relied on her recommendations. Belle did not stop at launching an app or publishing a book; she also started to announce donation drives for various non-profit organizations. She even announced that she would sponsor the cost of surgery for a little boy, Hunter, who’d been diagnosed with brain cancer. Belle needed constant attention and appreciation, and she knew she would be complimented the minute she posted about her charity drives.
Chanelle started to suspect Belle when she witnessed the wellness influencer consult a quack doctor named Dr. Phil when her son suffered from a stomach infection. Chanelle was furious when she discovered that Belle had never sent the casseroles she had personally made for Hunter; she simply kept the food for herself. Chanelle could not trust her anymore. Belle lacked a moral compass, and she did not think it was wrong to fake a seizure at her son’s birthday party. Chanelle remembered watching her put on a show for over forty minutes. People around her, especially her partner, Clive’s parents, had started to suspect her diagnosis, and in an attempt to prove that she really was sick, she ended up faking a seizure. Chanelle later decided to confront Belle because she could not put up with the pretense anymore. After pressuring her and Clive, Belle ultimately confessed that she was not suffering from cancer. Chanelle requested that she come clean to her audience, but instead of telling the truth, she conjured more lies and wrote a post stating she had cancer in her brain, liver, spleen, uterus, and blood. That was when Chanelle approached journalists and discussed how Belle was fooling millions of people.
How did the article affect Belle?
Julia of Penguin Books immediately knew Belle had been lying after she asked her a few trick questions. But even after knowing that Belle was unreliable, she published her book. She was convinced her story would sell, but that was before Belle mentioned on social media that she had relapsed. Belle wanted to erase her name from the book, fearing she would face disastrous consequences if the truth ever came out, but Julia did not agree to her terms. She believed it was her name and story that would sell the cookbook, and if they continued to focus on the angle of transformation and hope, there would continue to be a demand for her book. Chanelle had threatened to expose her, and Belle had no idea that a few journalists at The Age were already investigating her story.
For Justin, he was not just chasing a story; exposing Belle was a personal mission for him. His wife, Lucy, had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and she had been following influencers who promoted alternative medical practices. Justin had warned her that it was all a scam, but Lucy wanted to hold on to the belief that chemo was not the only viable solutions. Justin initially focused on gathering information to prove that Belle had lied about having cancer, but considering how sensitive the accusation was, it was not easy to go ahead with the story. Thankfully, Justin’s colleague came to his rescue and suggested he approach the story from a different angle. He could not help but think that if Belle had kept the casseroles for herself, then maybe she never actually made the donations she had promised. Justin started to dig into it, and he discovered that their hunch was right: Belle had not paid Hunter’s family for his surgery. He also learned that ‘The Whole Pantry’ was not a registered fundraiser and she could face criminal charges as a result.
Belle was on her way to attend Milla’s funeral when she received an email—a list of questions that she could respond to before the article was published. But Belle did not have any explanation to offer, and she wrote an email that did not answer any of the questions asked. Belle knew it would be the end of her career, and she repeatedly contacted Clive for help. Clive had been there for her through thick and thin, even though there were days when he hated her and wanted to abandon her. But Clive cared about his stepson, and Belle had become his entire world, and he could not imagine his life without her. After considering walking away from the relationship, Clive eventually came back to Belle.
Meanwhile, Belle refused to accept that Milla had never liked her. She pretended to be one of Milla’s close friends and tried to be the center of attention at the funeral. Milla, who was an advocate for alternative practices, died after the cancer had spread all over her body. She regretted not listening to her doctors during the very last stage of her life, but she had the courage to admit the truth to the world. Belle, on the other hand, was a liar who could not imagine losing her followers by disclosing her secret. After the article was published, Belle received support from her community, who refused to believe the investigative piece. But soon more and more people started commenting, and they accused Belle of being a scammer. After the story was published, people wondered that if Belle had fabricated the donations, she possibly had also lied about her diagnosis. Things went in the direction Justin had hoped for. He was glad to see his wife read the article and question Belle’s legitimacy. Belle was devastated; she knew it was all over, but to her surprise, Clive had been waiting for her at home.
Did Belle ever confess the truth?
Belle was convinced that Clive didn’t love her, so she was surprised to see him wait for her at home even after the article was published. When she confronted him, Clive stated that he would not have been there for her if he stopped having feelings for her. He knew the truth, but even then he chose to support her. Belle also realized that her son had adopted her way of getting attention from his loved ones. He pretended to have broken his arm only because he craved his mother’s affection. Belle removed his bandage and promised to always shower him with love.
During Apple Cider Vinegar’s ending, Belle decided to move to the United States in the hopes of starting another business. She was in desperate need of money, and she agreed to an interview where she confessed on air that she did not have cancer. She strategically responded in a way that seemed she too was trying to figure out her truth and let go of the lies she had believed all along. In 2017, The Australian Federal Court held Belle responsible for misleading her audience. For Belle’s false charity promises, she was ordered by the court to pay A$410,000 to the state of Victoria, but she has yet to clear all her fines. According to Belle’s 2020 social media posts, it is certain that she continues to live in her bubble. In order to escape these charges, she tried to claim that she had been adopted by the Oromo community, though the president of the aforementioned community clearly stated that Belle was never a registered volunteer. People like Belle perhaps never learn their lesson; they simply search for another host to leech onto.
What Does The Title Mean?
Belle’s PR agent mentioned a story where one of his clients (Belle) claimed to have cured herself of ringworm by chugging apple cider vinegar. She had pulled a tapeworm out of her mouth and had flushed it down. Interestingly, ringworm is caused by a fungus, and it had nothing to do with tapeworms. So, was the client lying? Or was she blinded by her desperate need to believe in something? Both, to an extent. Apple cider vinegar essentially represents human beings’ desperate need for an easy solution. Something that they can chug and cleanse themselves of diseases. It was easier and simpler than accepting the truth, and anyone in a vulnerable position would be ready to pay any price to feel hopeful again. This was precisely why so many people trusted Belle blindly. They were tired of going through rigorous treatments, and seeing someone doing well by following a strict diet might have seemed like a miraculous solution. Even if one saw red flags, they would tend to ignore them in such a situation simply because that would mean losing hope, and there was no room for that. The wellness industry thrives on the vulnerable population in search of an alternative, and hopefully Apple Cider Vinegar will help spread a sense of awareness among its audience.
