Who is the ‘zombie Angelina Jolie’ from Iran?
The individual who captivated and, for many, disturbed the online world as the ‘zombie Angelina Jolie’ is Sahar Tabar, an Iranian influencer who rose to viral fame through her startlingly altered appearance on Instagram. Initially, Tabar claimed that her gaunt and unsettling look was the result of numerous cosmetic surgeries, purportedly undertaken to emulate the features of Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. This narrative, coupled with the extreme nature of her perceived transformations, quickly propelled her into the global spotlight, sparking widespread discussion and fascination. Her online persona, characterized by a skeletal visage and heavily stylized photos, became a symbol of the lengths some would go to achieve a specific aesthetic or to gain notoriety in the burgeoning world of social media. The “angelina jolie zombie” moniker, though sensationalist, perfectly encapsulated the eerie resemblance and the shocking visual departure from conventional beauty standards that defined her early online presence.
Sahar Tabar’s true appearance after release from prison
Upon her release from prison, Sahar Tabar presented a reality starkly different from the heavily edited images that had previously defined her online persona. The images that circulated widely showed a young woman with a significantly altered facial structure, often described as gaunt, skeletal, and eerily similar to a zombie or a heavily Photoshopped version of Angelina Jolie. However, after her incarceration and subsequent release, the true face of Sahar Tabar was revealed, showcasing a more conventional and youthful appearance, devoid of the extreme distortions that had captured global attention. This revelation underscored the power of digital manipulation and the constructed nature of online celebrity, demonstrating that the ‘zombie Angelina Jolie’ was, in large part, a digital creation rather than a reflection of her actual physical state.
The viral photos: make-up, Photoshop and the reality
The viral photos that propelled Sahar Tabar to international fame as the ‘zombie Angelina Jolie’ were, as she later admitted, a carefully constructed illusion. While initial claims suggested a multitude of cosmetic surgeries, the reality behind the unsettling images was far more reliant on the transformative power of make-up and Photoshop. Tabar herself confessed that these tools were instrumental in creating the ghastly, emaciated look that captivated millions. She explained that the intention was to gain fame, and that cyberspace provided an accessible and relatively easy path to achieving this goal, a stark contrast to the arduous journey of an aspiring actress. The heavily edited images, featuring exaggerated cheekbones, sunken eyes, and a gaunt jawline, were a testament to her skill in digital manipulation and her understanding of what would generate shock value and viral engagement online. The reality was that her actual facial structure was significantly different from the persona she had crafted.
The arrest and indictment
Sahar Tabar’s meteoric rise to fame was abruptly halted by her arrest in Iran in October 2019. The charges brought against her were serious and reflected the conservative legal framework of Iran, where public morality and religious sensitivities are closely guarded. The Iranian authorities initiated legal proceedings that highlighted the intersection of online behavior, cultural norms, and legal ramifications in the digital age. Her case became a focal point for discussions about freedom of expression online and the boundaries of acceptable content within the Islamic Republic. The arrest and subsequent indictment marked a significant turning point in her story, shifting the narrative from one of viral fame to one of legal consequence.
Charges: blasphemy and incitement to violence
The indictment against Sahar Tabar included several severe charges, most notably blasphemy and incitement to violence. These accusations stemmed from the content she posted on her Instagram account, which was perceived by the Iranian judiciary as offensive to religious values and potentially harmful to public order. The charge of blasphemy suggests that her actions or posts were deemed to have insulted religious beliefs or figures, a serious offense in Iran. Furthermore, the accusation of inciting violence indicates that her online content was interpreted as encouraging or promoting aggressive behavior or unrest. These charges underscored the strict regulations governing online content and personal expression within Iran, demonstrating that even seemingly innocuous viral fame could have severe legal repercussions if it crossed certain societal and religious lines.
Sentencing and prison term
Following her arrest and indictment, Sahar Tabar faced a potential decade behind bars. She was initially sentenced to ten years in prison for the charges leveled against her. However, her time served was significantly shorter than this maximum sentence. After spending 14 months incarcerated, Tabar was released. This period of imprisonment, though substantial, was a fraction of the initial sentence, suggesting a potential review or modification of the judgment. Her release from prison, which occurred around the time of widespread protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, brought her story back into the public eye, albeit under different circumstances than her initial rise to fame.
The true face of ‘zombie Angelina Jolie’
The revelation of Sahar Tabar’s true face after her release from prison provided a stark contrast to the heavily altered images that had made her an international sensation. The “zombie Angelina Jolie” persona was largely a fabrication, a product of meticulous digital editing and strategic use of make-up. The contrast between the viral images and her actual appearance sparked widespread debate about the nature of online identity, the pressure to conform to beauty standards, and the ethics of digital manipulation. Her story became a cautionary tale about the allure of online fame and the potential consequences of constructing an artificial persona in the unforgiving landscape of social media.
Explanations and interviews on Iranian television
Following her release from prison, Sahar Tabar appeared in interviews on Iranian national television, where she offered explanations for her viral online persona. During these televised appearances, her face was notably blurred, a measure likely taken to protect her identity or to comply with broadcast regulations. In these interviews, she candidly admitted that the extreme images were not a result of extensive surgery but rather a deliberate use of Photoshop and make-up to achieve the desired ghastly effect. She articulated her motivations, stating that she “wanted to be famous” and that “cyberspace was an easy way” to achieve this compared to other avenues like acting. Her televised statements provided crucial insight into the reality behind the ‘angelina jolie zombie’ phenomenon, demystifying the extreme alterations and revealing the human behind the digital mask.
Why Tabar changed: fame and cyberspace
Sahar Tabar’s journey into the world of viral fame was driven by a desire for fame, and she found cyberspace to be the most accessible and effective platform to achieve it. She openly acknowledged that her transformation into the ‘zombie Angelina Jolie’ was a calculated effort to capture attention and gain notoriety. While she initially alluded to numerous cosmetic procedures, her subsequent explanations revealed the dominant role of digital manipulation. The allure of quick fame, amplified by the global reach of social media platforms like Instagram, proved to be a powerful motivator. Tabar’s story highlights a common trend among young influencers who leverage visual shock value and the power of editing to carve out a niche in the crowded digital landscape. Her decision to embrace this persona, even with its unsettling aesthetic, was a strategic choice to gain recognition in a world where visibility often translates to influence and opportunity.
The reception and the influencer myth
The global reception to Sahar Tabar’s story was a complex mix of fascination, revulsion, and critical analysis. The ‘angelina jolie zombie’ phenomenon tapped into a deep-seated curiosity about extreme self-transformation and the darker side of social media culture. Her case became a prime example of the influencer myth, where curated online personas can diverge significantly from reality, often leading to unforeseen consequences. The rapid spread of her images across the internet demonstrated the immense power of social media in shaping public perception and creating overnight sensations, often based on carefully constructed, rather than authentic, identities.
The role of social media and Hollywood stars
Social media played an indispensable role in catapulting Sahar Tabar to global fame. Platforms like Instagram provided her with a direct channel to disseminate her altered images to a vast international audience. The viral nature of these platforms meant that her photos, designed for shock value, were rapidly shared and commented upon, creating a snowball effect that transcended geographical and cultural boundaries. While specific Hollywood stars were not directly involved in promoting her image, the very fact that she was attempting to emulate Angelina Jolie meant that the star’s image was intrinsically linked to Tabar’s. This connection amplified the public’s interest, drawing comparisons and fueling the narrative of extreme imitation. The inherent fascination with celebrity culture and the often-unrealistic beauty standards set by Hollywood undoubtedly contributed to the widespread attention her story garnered.
The comparison with the real Angelina Jolie
The core of Sahar Tabar’s viral fame rested on a deliberate and extreme comparison with the real Angelina Jolie. Her initial claims and the visual evidence presented through her heavily edited photos were designed to evoke a distorted resemblance to the famous actress. This comparison was not merely about admiration but about creating a shocking visual juxtaposition. The ‘zombie’ aspect added a layer of macabre fascination, transforming the idealized image of a Hollywood star into something unsettling and grotesque. The stark contrast between Jolie’s well-known beauty and Tabar’s gaunt, zombie-like depiction generated significant online discourse. This comparison, however, was ultimately revealed to be largely a product of digital manipulation, highlighting the vast chasm between the crafted online persona and the actual appearance of the Iranian influencer.
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