A young woman from Iran, Sahar Tabar, gained fame and notoriety for her extreme transformation attempts to resemble Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. The 19-year-old, whose real name is Fatemeh Khishvand, underwent over 50 plastic surgeries, including liposuction and nose reshaping, in her pursuit of a dramatically altered appearance. Her appearance, often referred to as the “Zombie Angelina Jolie,” sparked debate and controversy online. In a shocking turn of events, Sahar Tabar was sentenced to ten years in prison.

The Zombie Angelina Jolie Look

Tabar’s startling transformation garnered attention as she posted pictures of her drastically altered appearance on social media. These pictures showed gaunt cheekbones, angular and plumped lips, and a heavily changed nose. Interestingly, it is unclear whether all the surgeries took place, as some speculate that the images may have been extensively edited or digitally altered.

Her Instagram account, @sahartabar_official, had amassed nearly four million followers before being deleted. However, her mother had never approved of her social media activities, especially the disturbing images resembling Zombie Angelina Jolie. Despite familial disapproval, Sahar persevered, explaining, “Cyberspace was an easy way…it was much easier than becoming an actor.”

The Real Face: A Quirky Artistic Expression

Surprisingly, in an interview with a Russian website called Sputnik, Sahar Tabar claimed that her bizarre appearance was merely an artistic expression and not her true face. She asserted that she did not aim to resemble Angelina Jolie or the cartoon character the Corpse Bride. According to her, being remembered or associated with someone else was never her intention. However, her statements caused confusion among her numerous followers and those who had heard her story.

Imprisonment and an Appeal to Angelina Jolie

In October 2019, Sahar Tabar was arrested for the alleged blasphemy within her Instagram pictures. Additionally, she faced accusations of illegal property acquisition, incitement of violence, negative influence on youth, earning money through inappropriate means, and violating the country’s strict dress code for women. The court sentenced her to a staggering ten years in Qarchak Prison, known for its severe conditions.

When news of Tabar’s case reached Iranian activist Masih Alinejad, she took to social media to appeal for help. Alinejad pleaded, “Sahar Tabar is only 19. Her joke landed her in jail. Her mother cries every day to get her innocent daughter freed. Dear Angelina Jolie, we need your voice here. Help us.”

Freedom After 14 Months

After serving 14 months in prison, Sahar Tabar was finally released. Some speculate that her release may have been influenced by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested and brutally beaten by the Iranian police for wearing her hijab incorrectly.

References:

• “This Iranian woman went to jail for trying to look like an Angelina Jolie zombie – now she’s revealed what she really looks like.” News24. Janice Beckett-Msiza
• “ANGELINA PHONEY? Who is Sahar Tabar and what did the Angelina Jolie ‘lookalike’ fan look like before and after she went under the knife?” The Sun. Josie Griffiths. October 14, 2019.