Chanelle McAuliffe, the woman who exposed Belle Gibson’s lies, says she had no involvement in the Netflix series and raises ethical concerns
Netflix’s latest drama series, Apple Cider Vinegar, has reignited global interest in one of Australia’s most infamous wellness scandals. The six-part series dramatizes the rise and fall of Belle Gibson, the social media influencer who falsely claimed to have cured terminal brain cancer through alternative medicine.
While the series explores the devastating impact of Gibson’s deception, a new controversy has emerged—Chanelle McAuliffe, the real-life whistleblower who helped expose Gibson, has come forward to share her thoughts on the show’s ethical implications.
Who Is Chanelle McAuliffe and How Did She Expose Belle Gibson?
In Apple Cider Vinegar, Aisha Dee plays a character named Chanelle, who serves as Belle’s manager and a close friend of the fictional wellness influencer Milla Blake (Alycia Debnam-Carey). However, the real Chanelle McAuliffe has now spoken out to set the record straight—emphasizing that she was never Belle Gibson’s manager, had no connection to Jessica Ainscough (the real-life inspiration for Milla), and did not contribute to the making of the Netflix series.
Instead, Chanelle was simply a friend of Belle’s who became suspicious of her cancer claims. After noticing inconsistencies in Belle’s stories, she took her concerns to journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, who went on to break the story in 2015. Their investigative work ultimately exposed Belle Gibson’s fraudulent empire, revealing that she had never had cancer and had failed to donate funds from her app, The Whole Pantry, to charity as promised.
Chanelle McAuliffe Responds to Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar
Since the show’s release, Chanelle McAuliffe has taken to TikTok to address her portrayal in Apple Cider Vinegar and express her concerns about the dramatization of real events.
“I wanted to say thank you to everyone who sent kind messages and support after watching the Netflix show or learning about the story,” she began.
“I also wanted to say that I had nothing to do with the Netflix show and I don’t entirely feel comfortable around some of the ethics of this type of storytelling and how the truth has been distorted in the show.”
Watch Chanelle’s Full TikTok Statement Below:
🎥 @chanelle.mcauliffe on TikTok
McAuliffe also warned that while the show provides entertainment, audiences should not forget the real-life victims who were harmed by Belle Gibson’s lies.
“Just remember there have been really vulnerable people in real life who have been impacted by this.”
Separating Fact from Fiction in Apple Cider Vinegar
While Apple Cider Vinegar is based on true events, it takes creative liberties in certain areas.
1. What’s True:
- Belle Gibson did falsely claim to have terminal brain cancer and built a wellness empire on deception.
- She launched The Whole Pantry app and a cookbook, promising charity donations that were never made.
- Chanelle McAuliffe played a key role in exposing Gibson’s fraud by contacting journalists.
- Jessica Ainscough, the likely inspiration for Milla Blake, was a real influencer who documented her journey with alternative cancer treatments before tragically passing away in 2015.
2. What’s Fictionalized:
- In the show, Chanelle is depicted as Belle’s manager and closely linked to Milla Blake—this was not the case in reality.
- The rivalry between Belle and Milla is exaggerated. While Belle and Jessica Ainscough were aware of each other, there was no intense competition between them.
- Some events and characters in the series are dramatized for storytelling purposes.
The Legacy of Belle Gibson’s Fraud
Since being exposed, Belle Gibson has faced legal action for misleading the public. In 2017, she was fined AUD $410,000 for deceptive conduct, though reports indicate she has yet to pay the full amount.
Meanwhile, the conversation around misinformation in the wellness industry continues. Apple Cider Vinegar serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked health claims on social media and the impact they can have on vulnerable people seeking hope.
As Chanelle McAuliffe’s comments suggest, while Netflix’s retelling may captivate audiences, it’s essential to separate reality from fiction and remember the real people affected by these events.
Claire Bennett is a seasoned finance writer with over 8 years of experience, specializing in personal finance and investment strategies. She has contributed to top media outlets like Forbes and Business Insider.