She tried to look like Angelina Jolie, and the result was a viral spectacle that spiraled into controversy and jail time.

She tried to look like Angelina Jolie, and the result was a viral spectacle that spiraled into controversy and jail time.

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Sahar Tabar, born Fatemeh Khishvand, is an Iranian influencer who catapulted to global notoriety with her eerie, zombie-like selfies, images that many believed were the result of extreme plastic surgery.

Nicknamed the “Zombie Angelina Jolie,” Sahar later claimed her haunting appearance was crafted through makeup and digital editing, not dozens of surgeries.

But that explanation began to crumble as her look evolved. With so many dramatic transformations, it often seemed as if she’d gone under the knife fifty times.

Her Instagram following swelled to nearly 4 million, but fame came with a steep cost.

In 2019, Iranian authorities arrested her for posting what they deemed “blasphemous” content.

She was charged with violating the country’s strict dress code, promoting violence, corrupting youth through provocative imagery, and earning money via social media monetization as she rose to influencer status.

Sentenced to 10 years in Qarchak Prison, Sahar served 14 months before being released – reportedly due to public outcry following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody.

Since then, Sahar has stated that her online persona was meant as satire and artistic expression, not a reflection of her true self.

Her story opens up a new dialogue about the tension between digital creativity and authoritarian control, and how self-image can become a battleground for freedom, censorship, and identity.

In the aftermath, reactions to her new look have been mixed.

Some disapprove; others are indifferent.

But as echoed across social media, there’s a proverb that rings true: “Those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter.”

Sometimes, it’s better to be known for who you truly are than to wear a mask for the crowd, especially when that mask leaves you with nothing but the garnish of attention and the emptiness of imitation.

If there’s a lesson in Sahar’s journey, it’s this: authenticity may not always be popular, but it’s always powerful.

Be who you are. Those who value you won’t be bothered by your truth – and if they are, maybe that relationship was never real to begin with.

Yetunde B reports for Yeyetunde’s Blog.