Netflix has just dropped their latest drama series Apple Cider Vinegar inspired by the true story of Belle Gibson, an Australian influencer who built her wellness empire on false claims she had cured her cancer from a healthy diet. In reality, Belle had never been diagnosed with cancer.
The six-part series stars Kaitlyn Dever as main character Belle Gibson. In the series Belle is obsessed with fellow wellness influencer Milla Blake, who really does have cancer and has become famous for her alternative methods of treating the illness.
But is Milla Blake based on a real person? Here’s what you need to know.
Who is Milla Blake in Apple Cider Vinegar?
In Netflix’s series the character of Milla Blake is a young woman who is working at her dream job at Girlfriend magazine when she starts to get lumps on her arm that are diagnosed to be a rare soft tissue sarcoma. Her doctors suggest she has an amputation in order to stop the cancer spreading, however after doing some research Milla argues to have a more wholistic approach to battling her cancer.
And while her doctors and her dad are extremely against this, ultimately it’s Milla’s choice and along with the support of her mum and her new boyfriend she begins a new natural method of treatment called the “Hirsch Theory”, which involves multiple coffee enemas a day alongside a plant based diet.
She begins blogging her journey and amasses a global following, and soon releases a book about herself. Belle becomes obsessed with Milla and receiving the same love and admiration she sees the influencer get.
Is Milla Blake based on a real person?
Milla Blake is not a real person, however her story is very similar to that of the real life person Jessica Ainscough.
Jessica was an online editor of the magazine Dolly and was diagnosed with an epithelioid sarcoma. Doctors suggested she have her arm amputated, however she initially tried chemotherapy first.
When this didn’t work she then began treating her cancer with an unproven treatment called the “Gerson therapy” which involves daily coffee enemas, a vegetarian diet and dietary supplements. Jessica ended up leaving her job at Dolly and grew a following when she started sharing her experiences with Gerson therapy online.
Jessica’s mum Sharyn was diagnosed with breast cancer and followed her daughter’s treatment plan using Gerson therapy. She died in 2013. Jessica died two years later, aged 30.
Apple Cider Vinegar is available on Netflix now
