Ok I’m weighing in on the whole Belle Gibson debacle! Who is she? Who cares?…I care because people like her are dangerous and we need to learn a big fat lesson from this big fat liar…we MUST!
Belle..such a pretty name for a woman who did the ugliest thing. She lied and stole and deceived people all over the world. She lied so much that she couldn’t escape it and so began the twisted web of deception.
I didn’t know a thing about Belle Gibson before she ‘got found out’, thank god! Let me get you up to speed.
The woman claimed to have cancer, then she claimed she cured herself through food and ‘being mindful’. She collected millions and promised more than $300 000 in donations (but delivered around $7000), Apple flew her to the USA and put her up for a few months while they developed an app ‘ the whole pantry’. There were more than 200 000 downloads of this app in the first MONTH! She had a book deal, lied about her age, lived an affluent lifestyle, drove fancy cars, was courted my media oh…AND NEVER HAD CANCER!
Uhuh…never! She made the whole thing up! Now here’s where I get cranky n pissed off because she claimed she had several cancers and that her brain cancer stemmed from ‘Gardasil’ the cervical cancer vaccine. Umm fact check…did anybody? Then she claimed to have a blood cancer as a ‘secondary’ cancer…WRONG. Then it was in her liver and kidneys, spleen and uterus…how the hell was this woman still walking? Oh yeah…bananas, carrots and coconut water! Oh man, give me strength!
She claimed she had a stroke and 2 heart surgeries but had NO scars. Far out, I wish my 7 surgeries came with a ‘scar free guarantee’. She couldn’t remember the names of her doctors either. Um, hello Miss Gibson I can remember ALL my doctors and most of my nurses names because they saved my freakin life…because I met with them over and over, and still do!
So the little liar duped the public but this is the worst part…allegedly people changed their treatment options because of her and her fat lies. Oh her ‘brand’ will deny it but her social media posts told another story. She claimed to have ‘countless times’ helped people forego conventicle treatment and to treat themselves naturally…even for depression, bone cancer and fertility issues.
DANGEROUS!
But Belle Gibson didn’t accomplish all this alone, someone must have known more.
Well the TV producers who courted her and invited her onto their programmes (into YOUR living room), they SHOULD HAVE KNOWN MORE. They should have asked her the most basic question…”where’s your diagnosis and scans?”. People don’t get diagnosed with cancer without having scans and testing.
I had breast cancer and in the first two weeks alone I had a mammogram, two ultrasounds, core biopsy, body scan, CT scan, blood tests and a mastectomy. I have those tests, the results, the facts n figures and the names of my doctors. Why didn’t these television producers ask for proof?
Facts matter
When you are pedalling a health and wellness message facts count for something.
So I say to the television programmes, app makers, book publishers and PR agents, you are all accountable too. You all have a responsibility to do your homework, especially if you are making money or gains. But even more so when people’s lives are at stake.
Belle Gibson is sick in the mind but she sure as hell doesn’t have cancer…never did, but many out there do.
In fact one in two Aussies will by their 80’s and let me tell you a young woman in her early 20’s with no credentials pedalling a ‘big fat lie’ will not save you. In fact, that dangerous mix just might kill you.
We as a society need to stop getting sucked into messages pedalled by media made celebrities…celebrities are entertainers not doctors. When did we start buying into celebrity bullshit and stop listening to professionals? Google is not the be all of information and treating yourself via doctor Google and unsubstantiated myths pedalled via the Internet is dangerous…it cost Belle a whole lot… but it could cost lives.
We have the power you know, yeah we get to call them on it. We can tune out, turn off and use our voices and type pads and say ‘NO MORE’…stop it! Stop the bullshit, do your homework and report the facts…because one day it might be the life of someone you care about who is influenced by a mad media made celebrity pedalling bullshit.
rant over!
Til next time,
Jen x
*I chose not to attach a photo of Belle…she doesn’t deserve it and quite frankly her image makes me sick…ironic hey!
That rant ranks up with any from Adam hills. I was just waiting to read you call her ‘a dick!’ Well done Jen, you’re a rant superstar. I can’t bide this woman got away with so much. How many people could have died from following this dispicable creature. Disgusting.
Thanks Bec I reckon I wrote a few choice words and deleted them 😉
As a mother, a woman, a health business owner and a nutrition student (and I mean a 3 year degree, not a short course in ‘wellness’), I am appalled at what she has done. So many people trusted her and her story and for what? I believe her app was fab, and could have helped a lot of people, but to fabricate a story to make money from vulnerable people?? Not ok! I agree with all you said Jenni, when it comes to your health, seek professional advice. Wellness coaches and celebrities have their place, and I believe many do a brilliant job at supporting people when the conventional medical system has failed them, but we are not doctors, we are not experts and wimple need to do their research.
Perfectly said Jo . Alternative/wellness practitioners definitely have their place (I use them too) and it’s such a shame liars and cheats have a profound detrimental effect on them. We need to ask for qualifications and substantiated factual research when it comes to these serious health matters.
I’m glad you said it lovely, cos we are all feeling that way! How anyone could do something like that makes me so angry. Granted, she def has some form of mental illness, but you’re right when you said not one person fact checked anything!! It’s just gross.
She obviously had issues but she kept taking and spinning…when money and fame are involved it gets very icky. X
Must say, I didn’t even know this girl or her app and book existed till the shit hit the fan. I’m much like you and wondering how it got to this point. Why did no one ask questions along the way? Did she honestly think she could get away with this? Clearly the girl needs help.
Accountability was missing on lots of levels.
I get that Belle might be mentally ill herself, you would kind of have to be to want to mislead people on such a grand scale, but what I can’t get my head around is that she has preyed on some of the most sick and vulnerable people in society and played with their lives. Literally. She’s not a doctor, she’s not a nutritionist, she’s just a liar. It’s even more mind boggling that nobody ever thought to check. Heck, even doctors, nurses, insurance companies wanted to check and double check all my papers when I was ill, I’ve got files of paperwork, and I’ve got surgery scars too. Why didn’t anyone ask? It seems that there was a lot of talking but not enough questions, You’re totes right, the media has a responsibility to the people, if you’re going to put someone in the spotlight, get the facts first.
You know (just like me) what cancer really is and the devastation it causes and to prey on people when you have zero qualifications is disgusting. Xx
she obviously has a mental illness and regardless of what she has done wrong she doesn’t deserve the bullying Jen. Two wrongs don’t make a right. I have to say, Her cookbook still rocks, I’m using it this morning for pancakes lol. Where did she say gardasil caused it?
Thanks Jackie, I’m not a bully…never have been. I’m stating how I feel about a situation and calling it as it is. I want us to all stand up and ask that people be made accountable for their part in a disgusting crime.
Calling out a lie is not bullying and I am very, very tired of people painting it that way.
I just don’t understand how she would want to (a) think thoughts of having cancer (b) putting it out there to the universe..
Blows my mind!!!
I bet there are many who are looking pretty stupid because they all fell for it.
Eg magazines, tv, publisheing companies , like you said no checks done.
Blows my mind too!
that is unbelievable … thanks for filling me in jen!
that bullshit and spin sells!
love m:)X
Unbelievable and sadly true…. money and wellness are messy.
Jen I love you and your honesty.
I was one of Belle’s biggest fans all along, I interacted with her on IG regularly, I bought her app and I made donations at her suggestion. I fell for her lies, she had a way of connecting at an emotional level that did not really allow for any doubt.
I fell for her many many stories including having seizures at her son’s birthday party, I glazed over all of these details and that is a huge learning for me and everyone else who supported her, those of us who always see the good in people ..
I am so torn now between my compassion for someone who has some serious mental health concerns, and my disgust at her deceit.
I believe that she needs to be held accountable for the lives she has impacted, out of the hundreds of thousands of people she had following her, it is pretty much a guarantee that some people will have followed her lead and turned their backs on medical treatment.
There is NO evidence that ANY of her suggested cancer treatments/remedies work, there is NO evidence that any alternative cancer treatments work, that is cold hard fact.
There are way too many people like Belle, taking advantage of social media to push their ‘opinions’ about what is healthy and what is not, we need to start looking at the science and the facts and the qualifications behind these people, not just trusting their claims with our own wellbeing. Pete Evans, Sarah Wilson etc, not one of these people have any qualifications..
It is a huge issue in our social driven world that we all need to take responsibility for, there is just way too much ‘opinion’ being taken as gospel, and not enough science/fact/evidence xx
Lisa THANKYOU! Just when I wondered if people are ‘hearing’ my message…my point…you post your amazing response! That’s the thing we all want to believe…we want answers, quick fixes and we are vulnerable. Lots of people bought into it…believed the pretty girl with a sad story and a book full of answers. I deal with researchers and when I see the hoops they have to jump through, the facts they must produce I get a bit miffed that peopke with no qualifications or studies behind them can pedal a message and the masses lap it up…because of hype and media…and social media. I love social media but as a society we can’t forget about professionals and their place in the health and wellness arena. X
I was so shocked when I heard about this. I don’t know how someone could do such a thing and how she got away with it for so long!!??
I know!! It’s amazing what our society are willing to gobble up and accept…there’s lessons to be learned from this situation x
I have no idea who this is at all, but I cannot stand deception, for gain.
Cancer has hit my family hard, so why anyone would want to lie about having something so horrendous is beyond anything I can comprehend. xxx
P.s. You are allowed to rant about anything you like Jenni (I adore a good rant)…one things for sure – you’re no bully xx
It sure is horrendous a Bev, and no, bullying has never been me but I’m not afraid to voice my opinion. X
Hi Jen, first time commenter… I couldn’t agree with your sentiments more. I think she should be made accountable for her actions and charged. As someone who has two degrees in evidence based medicine, some of these health and fitness bloggers get stuck in my craw.
Well written!
Cheers,
Liz N
Welcome Liz, I’m all for evidence based anything x
I do not understand how she made it without confirmation she even had a diagnosis. Well said darling lady. V x
so crazy Vicki…blows my mind x
Hi Jenni.
This is my first time here – I found you through the Ultimate Rabbit Hole link-up.
Firstly, great rant! And you obviously understand first hand why her deception was cruel, not merely because of the financial aspect of it.
I’m interested in your point about why TV producers, etc, didn’t ask for proof. I’m guessing she was in a position to deliver the audience to them so they didn’t even check. Money and power prevail. Again.
Thanks for a great post.
Hi Gael thanks for visiting and reading. I hope the media have learned a lesson from this mess and that they have a responsibility when pedalling people who have the power to influence.
You took the ranty words right out of my mouth! 🙂 Can’t believe how much damage that woman has potentially caused. I can’t even articulate how pissed off she has made me. Stopping by from The Ultimate Rabbit Hole link up.
Hi there Emma and thanks for popping by. Isn’t it a mess? A big dangerous mess, makes me pretty cranky too x
I admit I didn’t really know much about all of this before it came out…I had heard of the app but not much past that, and I wouldn’t have been a follower in the first place. Thank you for explaining perfectly why this is such a gross betrayal and a clear example of manipulation for fame/money. Bravo!
love your post Jenni. Perhaps she doesn’t have a mental illness, as some people have said. Maybe she’s just an asshole xx
Maybe a bit of both
I can’t believe this woman is now complaining about how her community has treated her after it has all hit the fan. She can’t complain! And her “community” have every right to be extremely angry for the “journey” she has fed them. Great post!
Thanks Karin, I hope we don’t ever see a repeat of a case like this x
Well said, I can’t think of anything to add!
Thanks Vanessa x
Well said Jenni!! She actually makes me sick too Jenni. What a deceitful little b!tch to mislead so many people. And the fact that she made money off her web of lies and deceits makes it so much worse. Karma will get her!
It’s the lowest act Fleur taking advantage of vulnerable and desperate people.
Well said Jen. It’s a shame some people want to deceive others in their time of need and who are extremely vulnerable willing to try anything and at any cost. I was with my Mum for every step of her cancer treatment. And like you, she had numerous tests, scans, doctor appointments and clinic visits. These wonderful caring people who care for those suffering definitely leave a lasting effect on one and their names will never be forgotten.
I just hope she knows the damage she has done to those who thought she was a “miracle worker” and that karma does get her!
Sorry about your mum
Sue, how wonderful that you had a great medical team. Like you I won’t ever forget my team either x
Hi Jen – I have to commend you for being ballsy enough to call Belle out on her bullshit! As a cancer survivor myself, I wrote a little piece about Belle and forgiveness. I also didn’t feel the need to include a photo of her veneered mug XO
http://bruisesyoucantouch.com/2015/06/29/why-i-forgive-belle-gibson/
I can’t understand how so many people got stuck in her web before she was ‘found out’. Surely someone in her family or a close friend must have known about the stories she was telling about herself? Why anyone would want to brag about having such an insidious disease is beyond me. My family watched my 5 year old niece die from a brain tumour and last year her dad died from pancreatic cancer and probably also a broken heart. I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone.
Thanks for telling it like it is Jen x