What if the person you followed online for years wasn’t who they seemed to be?
One Instagram star captivated millions with a terrifyingly fake look, sparking rumors, awe, and outrage. But behind the shocking images lay a story of deception, danger, and a country’s harsh justice system—one that would change her life forever.
Sahar Tabar, widely recognized as the “Zombie Angelina Jolie,” finally revealed her true appearance during an Iranian television interview after being released from jail.
Arrested in October 2019 on charges including blasphemy and insulting the hijab, the 21-year-old, whose real name is Fatemeh Khishvand, faced a 10-year prison sentence. However, she served only 14 months before her release, according to activist Masih Alinejad.
Tabar’s striking social media persona had drawn widespread attention. Her edited photos made her resemble a ghastly version of Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, earning her nicknames like “zombie” and “corpse bride.” Observers claimed she underwent numerous surgeries, creating exaggerated features like a razor-sharp jawline, oversized lips, pale skin, and icy blue eyes. The illusion earned her thousands of followers on Instagram, but the truth was far different.
During the interview, Khishvand admitted she never had surgery to achieve the eerie appearance. Instead, she relied heavily on makeup and digital editing tools to craft the extreme look. “Everything you saw on Instagram was computer-enhanced,” she explained. “I wanted fame from a young age, and cyberspace seemed like the easiest path. Acting would have been much harder.”
The young woman said she stopped using Instagram after her arrest and promised never to return to the platform. “My mother warned me to stop, but I didn’t listen. Sometimes strangers’ words seem more important than those of your own parent,” she reflected. She expressed regret over the posts and clarified that her “zombie” persona was not intentionally modeled after Jolie or any fictional character like the corpse bride.
While Tabar has not detailed her time in prison, human rights groups have painted a grim picture of Iranian incarceration conditions, describing overcrowding, poor sanitation, and abuse. Her story serves as a stark reminder of how online behavior can collide with real-world consequences, especially in countries with strict social and moral regulations.
Conclusion:
Sahar Tabar’s tale underscores the powerful—and sometimes perilous—impact of social media. What started as a desire for online fame led to public fascination, legal troubles, and personal reflection. By revealing her true face, Khishvand has shown both the dangers of digital deception and the human side behind viral personas, reminding followers that not everything online is as it appears.