The story of disgraced wellness influencer Belle Gibson has taken another dramatic turn, with the Netflix documentary detailing her fraudulent cancer claims receiving significant industry recognition. The film, titled Apple Cider Vinegar: The Belle Gibson Story, has been nominated for three prestigious Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards.
From Infamy to Awards Recognition
The documentary, which premiered on Netflix earlier this year, delves into the rise and fall of Gibson. She built a massive global following and a lucrative business by falsely claiming to have cured terminal brain cancer through alternative medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle choices. Her empire, which included a bestselling app and cookbook, crumbled in 2015 when investigations revealed her diagnoses were fabricated.
The AACTA Award nominations, announced for the 2025 ceremony, are for Best Documentary or Factual Program, Best Direction in Nonfiction Television, and Best Editing in Television. This recognition marks a surprising chapter for a project centred on one of Australia's most notorious con artists. The film combines archival footage, interviews with journalists and individuals close to the saga, and expert analysis to dissect how Gibson's deception captivated millions.
The Lasting Impact of a Wellness Lie
Gibson's case remains a potent cautionary tale about the dangers of misinformation in the wellness and health space. She promoted unproven treatments and dietary advice, primarily focusing on the purported benefits of apple cider vinegar, to vulnerable individuals seeking hope. Despite being ordered by an Australian court to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for consumer law breaches, she has largely avoided the public eye since the scandal.
The documentary's nominations have sparked renewed debate about the ethics of platforming such stories and whether they risk granting undue notoriety. However, proponents argue the film serves a vital public interest by forensicly examining the mechanisms of deception in the digital age. The AACTA Awards ceremony will be held in Sydney in February 2026, where the production team will discover if their take on the Gibson saga will win official acclaim.
This development ensures that the legacy of Belle Gibson's fraud continues to resonate, not just as a news story, but now as a award-contending piece of documentary filmmaking. It underscores the ongoing public fascination with the dark side of influencer culture and the severe consequences of medical misinformation.
