A well-known wellness blogger, Jordan Younger, is upset over her portrayal in the popular Netflix drama Apple Cider Vinegar, and she’s not staying quiet about it.
The 34-year-old American mother-of-two is seeking legal counsel after being linked to Belle Gibson’s infamous cancer fraud scandal in the show.
A Misleading Representation of Her Life
Jordan Younger, who was known for her successful blog, The Blonde Vegan, is played by Australian actress Kate Lister in the series.
The drama depicts Younger as a globe-trotting sensation, showing her hosting Gibson in her private jet and confiding that she had to abandon her vegan diet on medical advice.
However, Younger claims that the series is a misleading portrayal, calling it a “hit piece on wellness” that downplays the emotional distress she experienced during the scandal.
In an emotional podcast episode, Younger shared how difficult the time was for her, especially being criticized by vegans who felt betrayed. “They called me a failed vegan with a private jet.
You can’t fail at being a vegan,” she explained.
The portrayal of her in the show, which exaggerates her life, deeply upset her, especially considering the intense public backlash she received at the time.
The Real-Life Bond Between Younger and Gibson
In the Netflix drama, Younger meets Gibson at an Apple event to launch Gibson’s Whole Pantry app.
However, the reality is a bit different.
The two women first met in New York in 2013 during a deeply emotional dinner.
Younger recalls the evening when they bonded over Gibson’s supposed brain cancer diagnosis, a story that turned out to be a lie.
Despite the connection they shared during their heart-to-heart conversation, Younger felt manipulated by Gibson’s overwhelming affection, which she now recognizes as “love bombing.”
Younger further reveals that shortly after their emotional dinner, Gibson appeared at an event she was hosting and made a low-profile appearance.
It was at that event that Younger made the decision to stop being a vegan publicly.
Netflix Series Stirs Controversy
While the show claims to be “inspired by a true story,” it includes a disclaimer stating that some characters and events have been fictionalized.
Younger, who continues to promote healthy living through her app and books, is outraged at the way the show has depicted her.
She felt it was legally and morally wrong to portray her in such a negative light without her permission.
Initially, she considered suing Netflix and the show’s producers.
However, after consulting with her lawyers, she chose not to pursue legal action, as they advised her not to waste her energy on negativity.
“I am so happy I am not the center of this show, but imagine seeing yourself portrayed on Netflix by an actress without your permission,” she remarked.
The Wellness Industry Under Scrutiny
The Netflix series centers around Belle Gibson’s rise to fame as she built a wellness empire based on fraudulent claims of having cured her brain cancer through a healthy lifestyle.
Despite these claims being entirely fabricated, Gibson amassed millions of followers who were influenced by her story, including many cancer patients who believed in her methods.
Gibson’s fraudulent behavior ultimately led to her downfall when her lies were exposed.
She was accused of making millions of dollars off her book sales and app subscriptions, all while claiming her earnings would go to cancer charities.
Younger admits that while Gibson’s actions were illegal and dangerous, she still believes in the benefits of holistic healing.
However, she stresses that the drama fails to focus on the real issue—the deception and fraud committed by Gibson, not the wellness industry as a whole.
A Call for Fair Representation
Younger concludes that the show, Apple Cider Vinegar, should not be a commentary on wellness, but instead should be seen as a reflection of Gibson’s fraudulent life.
“The truth is this story has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Belle Gibson, who was a con artist,” she said.
For Younger, the portrayal of her life in the series was just another disappointment, but she is determined to move forward and focus on positive ways to influence others with her message of health and wellness.