Inside the Scandal: Kaitlyn Dever and Alycia Debnam-Carey Unpack Belle Gibson’s Deceptive Rise

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⚠️ WARNING: This conversation may reveal plot points about the movie “Apple Cider Vinegar,” currently available on Netflix.

“Heads up! Discussing this chat could give away secrets from the movie ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ that you can watch on Netflix.

In recent years, there has been an increase in true-crime stories about American swindlers, with Amanda Seyfried winning an Emmy for her role as Elizabeth Holmes in Hulu’s “The Dropout,” Julia Garner portraying Anna Delvey in Netflix’s “Inventing Anna,” and Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway starring as Adam and Rebekah Neumann in Apple TV+’s “WeCrashed.” Now, a new miniseries from Australia is aiming to bring a tale that was once popular in Australian culture during the 2010s to a global audience.

The television show titled ‘Apple Cider Vinegar,’ airing on Feb. 6, features Kaitlyn Dever portraying Belle Gibson, the Australian wellness influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her supposed terminal brain cancer through health and wellness practices. However, it was later discovered that Belle never had a diagnosis of — nor did she ever recover from — the malignant brain tumor she had exploited to amass her online presence, which included a blog, a cookbook, and millions of Instagram followers.

Based on the real-life events depicted in “The Woman Who Fooled the World: The True Story of Fake Wellness Guru Belle Gibson,” written by Samantha Strauss, this extraordinary series portrays Gibson as a complex individual riddled with paradoxes: a skilled deceiver and habitual liar whose self-centered behavior can be traced back to a challenging upbringing marked by her emotionally detached mother. Actress Alycia Debnam-Carey portrays Milla Blake, a character loosely based on Jess Ainscough, the pioneer of Australian alternative medicine or wellness advocacy who tragically succumbed to her untreated cancer at 29 years old. In this series, Milla serves as both an idol and adversary for Gibson in a fictional narrative.

Over a series of six episodes, “Apple Cider Vinegar” unfolds two interconnected narratives: Gibson and Blake’s quests for things each believes the other possesses. While Gibson yearns for the close-knit bond that Blake created with her online audience, Blake, who struggles to resist alternative medicine as a means to avoid treating cancer in her arm, finds herself growing resentful when Gibson starts gaining traction in the online wellness community. Eventually, Blake’s actions lead not only to her own demise but also to the loss of her critically ill mother.

On a shared video call, EbMaster, Dever, and Debnam-Carey chat about their unique methods when retelling Gibson’s tale, share their thoughts on Dever’s Australian accent while playing a character born in Phoenix, and discuss how they handle the constant limelight and criticism that comes with being associated with popular franchises that have passionate fan bases.

What kind of relationship, if any, did you have with Belle Gibson’s story prior to signing on to this project? And when you did sign on, what new insights did you think could be gleaned from this fictionalized take on yet another scammer story?

Kaitlyn Dever: I was virtually unaware of Belle Gibson’s true nature. However, I was deeply engaged with the wellness sector due to my mother battling Stage 4 breast cancer for a prolonged period and her unfortunate demise last year. Over the last years of her life, I developed a keen interest in the wellness scene as I explored alternative treatments alongside her conventional therapies. Coincidentally, when this story crossed my path, it was serendipitous because I was already familiar with the wellness world and followed numerous individuals on Instagram who resembled Belle and Milla’s character, Alicia, in the series.

The intriguing narrative of Belle captivated us all, with her accomplishments leaving us astounded. However, her actions were regrettable. What struck me in Sam’s interpretation – as we portrayed a fictionalized version of Belle Gibson, often referring to her as “Our Belle” during production – was the complexity and unpredictability of the storyline. I must admit, it was quite shocking. Yet, delving deeper into the layers of this tale, one can’t help but learn more about her troubled childhood and the intricate web of challenges she faced. It appears that Belle was a person longing for community, family, and love – an aspect of her life that I found most surprising through Sam’s storytelling. As I immersed myself in understanding Belle to prepare for the role, I discovered more about her with each passing day.

Alycia Debnam-Carey: I’m from Australia, where my personal journey differed significantly because of the distinctively Australian narrative. Growing up here, I was quite familiar with Belle Gibson, who was a significant media personality. She was remarkably impressive and embodied the spirit of the Girl Boss era in early Instagram culture. Her rise to fame was fascinating to watch, as she managed to achieve so much with her book, blog, fundraising for cancer, and even an app on the first Apple Watch. It was truly amazing to see her success story unfold. However, it turned out that this was a captivating tale of deception.

Alycia Debnam-Carey: I’m Australian, and my experiences were unique because of our country’s culture. I knew Belle Gibson well since she was a big name in media here. She was very impressive, embodying the spirit of female entrepreneurs during Instagram’s early days. Her rise to fame was fascinating, as she achieved so much with her book, blog, fundraising for cancer, and even an app on the first Apple Watch. But it turned out that she was a scammer with a captivating story.

Observing the ups and downs of Belle’s story, particularly from an Australian perspective, was captivating. Many Australians have long been curious about what followed her tale, its consequences, and how it unfolded. Kaitlyn and I often reminisced about a memorable “60 Minutes” interview she gave, which left a lasting impression. The scene where Kaitlyn skillfully reenacted this event stands out vividly in my memory as a child watching it – with her iconic pink fuzzy sweater and glossy lips. It’s an indelible mark on Australian pop culture history.

In the early 2010s, as I joined the Instagram scene with my new phone, the surge of wellness influencers was nothing short of captivating to me. These social media personalities were omnipresent, and the wellness culture they cultivated was incredibly powerful. I followed numerous young women who were already immersed in the health and wellness world, finding it a fascinating extension of a familiar realm – it was an entirely new era.

Kaitlyn, although British and Australian actors are usually able to nail American accents, that doesn’t always seem to apply the other way around. But in your case, your ability to capture the intonation and inflection of Belle’s Australian accent is almost uncanny. What did all of that accent work help you unlock in the character?

Character: Wow, I’ve made countless breakthroughs with this accent! It felt like progressing through levels or stages. I had an extraordinary dialect coach named Jenny Kent who was instrumental in helping me achieve it. Getting the chance to portray a character like this is truly a dream come true for me because I have a passion for accent work. Accent work allows me to explore different facets of a character, and it has opened many doors for me in terms of understanding characters deeply and feeling transformed into another person. So, the accent definitely assisted me in uncovering Bell’s unique traits and idiosyncrasies, and how she adapts her persona around different people to achieve something. Bell is certainly a chameleon in this sense, so the accent played a vital role in showcasing that aspect of her character. I must admit, it was the most challenging accent I’ve ever attempted.

As a cinephile, let me tell you, the Australian accent portrayed by Debnam-Carey is, without a doubt, the most authentic and convincing I’ve ever heard from a non-native. The reactions I’ve seen – from friends, family, and even strangers – are always one of pure amazement. It’s simply astounding!

Dever: That’s very sweet.

In the movie, your accent was so authentic that I genuinely didn’t realize you were American. Honestly, it’s amazing and incredibly challenging to mimic, especially since we often place vowels where there aren’t any.

Dever: You’re abbreviating everything. The O’s are gone, the R’s are gone.

Initially, the O’s and the R’s were absent, but later on, they seemed to appear where they possibly don’t belong.

You: Absolutely correct. That’s really thoughtful of you. Thank you. It was quite challenging, but what a fantastic acting drill for me! Yes, naturally I was anxious about assuming the role, but overall, it was incredibly thrilling to have such an opportunity bestowed upon me.

Both of your characters are living in an alternate reality where they desperately cling on to the belief that alternative medicine can help cure cancer and various illnesses — but for very different reasons. There is something very confronting and discomforting about each of their interactions, because they are essentially mirrors of each other’s most unsavory qualities. How would you characterize the evolution of their relationship in these six episodes?

Intriguingly, I found myself deeply drawn to the scripts and the narrative, and I believe one of the main factors was Milla’s character. For her, Belle represents a rival in a realm that Milla deeply cares about and strongly advocates for. This dedication, perhaps, is the key aspect of Milla’s personality. She is utterly convinced of the effectiveness of healing through holistic and alternative medicine until faced with the undeniable reality that her mother has passed away, and this method no longer seems viable. However, it’s important to note that she holds this belief so strongly.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I find the dynamic between Belle and Milla in this movie particularly frustrating and enraging because not only does Belle embody such faith in her space, but she seems to thrive more in health and wellness than Milla does. It’s disheartening, even though it stems from a positive place for Milla, to see someone excel where I struggle. This feeling is intensified by the fact that I’m watching this unfold on screen. It’s personal, ego-driven, yet surprisingly genuine – making it incredibly captivating to watch. When these two women collide, it creates a unique blend of competitiveness, friendship, ambition, and influence. It’s an odd mix, yet oddly entertaining. However, for Milla, watching someone outperform her while simultaneously sensing something amiss, is what truly defines her character.

John: Absolutely. The term “mirrors of each other” fits perfectly, as their narratives in the series are indeed quite similar. We’d often ponder during filming about Belle’s feelings towards Milla – was she inspired by her, envious of her, or longing to be friends? Or perhaps deep down, she aspired to be Milla herself.

In this series, there aren’t many personal encounters between Belle and Milla due to the fact that Belle spends most of her time scrutinizing Milla’s actions on social media. At first, Milla is someone that Belle deeply desires to associate with and learn from. She idolizes Milla almost fanatically. However, this obsession gradually takes a toll on Belle. By the end of the series, it becomes clear that Belle yearns for companionship and affection. I believe that Milla embodies what Belle has always sought after, and Milla possessed everything that Belle desired. This dynamic is quite troubling and tragic, and it’s impressive how Sam skillfully navigated these two contrasting yet related narratives so seamlessly.

You both now share the distinction of being part of hugely popular franchises — Alycia in “The Walking Dead” and “The 100,” Kaitlyn in “The Last of Us.” Kaitlyn, your “Last of Us” co-star Isabela Merced revealed last year that you needed extra security while filming the new season because there are some fans who genuinely hate your character Abby, who — sans spoilers — plays a critical role in the trajectory of the video game. Do you feel prepared for the onslaught of this huge fandom and the potential ramifications of playing such a polarizing character when the season premieres in April?

Peter: First off, let me clarify that what was said earlier isn’t accurate, and I never made such a statement myself. It may have been said long ago, but it’s not true. Joining the massive and incredibly cherished “The Last of Us” franchise is a new experience for me, something I haven’t encountered before. Every day, I’m learning how to navigate this fresh territory. Entering such an established fanbase can be challenging, especially since there has already been a season and I’m the newcomer. However, I’m trying to handle it much like any other project, by striving for authenticity and honesty, and aiming to maintain as natural an approach as possible when tackling the role. I want to do the character justice and I hope that my performance will be well-received.

Alycia, you’re certainly no stranger to fervent fandoms, and people still talk about your character Lexa’s tragic fate on “The 100” to this day. Now that you have had some time and distance away from that show, how do you feel now about the intense love and devotion that viewers felt for “Clexa” and the backlash surrounding the end of that same-sex relationship? What did you take away from that formative period of your career?

It was a highly educational period for me, and I believe I gained significant insights. At that time, I was quite young – perhaps around 20 when I joined “The 100”, and then around 21 or 22 when I began “Fear the Walking Dead”. Being part of two massive fan-followed shows at such a tender age was truly remarkable. One aspect I’d like to highlight is the immense passion that fans exhibit for these shows, which can sometimes be both beautiful and overwhelming. Balancing the desire to do justice to these characters, as Kaitlyn mentioned, with the need to protect myself and the show’s characters was a challenging tightrope walk, especially at such a young age.

For “The 100,” the fallout from that uprising was truly unprecedented – a first of its kind event. The aftermath, while it brought great sorrow as it marked the end of that character, has a positive side that I often reflect on. It sparked change for the better, making many people feel empowered and encouraged to voice their opinions. In my opinion, during that time, all I could do was serve as a conduit of love and help spread that sense of empowerment. However, it was an intense, complex, and emotional period, and I communicated with countless fans who adored the show and simply tried to provide support in whatever way I could.

It’s fascinating to work on such massive productions, yet their success is largely due to the extraordinary passion and dedication of their fans. Watching these stories evolve beyond the initial filmmaking process into vibrant communities, shared experiences, unique fan creations – it’s truly awe-inspiring. This journey has significantly shaped me as an individual and as an actor, and I cherished every moment of being involved in those shows. Now, I’m excited to venture into new territories, experimenting with diverse genres, characters, time periods. However, I am deeply grateful and appreciative for the opportunity to be a part of those two iconic series. What’s especially rewarding now is seeking out fresh challenges, but I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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2025-02-08 02:48