Who is Sahar Tabar, the famous ‘Zombie Angelina’ from Instagram?
Sahar Tabar, also known as Fatemeh Khishvand, is an Iranian influencer who gained global notoriety for her striking, skeletal appearance on Instagram, which many observers likened to a “zombie” version of Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. Her online persona captivated millions, with her account amassing over 486,000 followers. Tabar’s distinctive look sparked widespread discussion and speculation about the extent of her cosmetic surgeries. However, the reality behind the viral images was more nuanced, with Tabar herself later clarifying that her transformation was primarily achieved through expert makeup and digital alteration using Photoshop, rather than the multitude of invasive procedures her followers assumed. She claimed her aspiration was not to emulate Angelina Jolie, but rather to resemble a character from Tim Burton’s film, ‘Corpse Bride’. Despite these clarifications, her dramatic online presence led to significant legal repercussions in Iran.
Photos, makeup, and Photoshop: The illusion on Instagram
The “Zombie Angelina” phenomenon was largely a masterful creation of Sahar Tabar’s digital artistry. Her Instagram feed was a curated collection of images that presented a highly distorted and unsettling visage. Through the strategic application of heavy, theatrical makeup, including dark contours, pale foundation, and exaggerated lip color, Tabar created an illusion of extreme gauntness and skeletal features. This was further amplified by the use of Photoshop, a widely accessible photo editing software, which allowed her to digitally alter her facial structure, sharpen her cheekbones, and deepen the hollows under her eyes. While she did undergo some cosmetic procedures in the past, including rhinoplasty, liposuction, and lip fillers, these were relatively common aesthetic treatments and did not account for the extreme transformation seen in her most viral photos. The combination of skillful makeup artistry and digital manipulation was the key to her viral success, crafting an online persona that was both fascinating and deeply disturbing to many viewers.
Accusations and arrest: What was the influencer charged with?
Sahar Tabar’s viral fame took a dark turn when she was arrested in Iran in October 2019. The charges brought against her were severe and multifaceted, reflecting the strict social and legal codes in the Islamic Republic. Authorities accused her of blasphemy, a serious offense that can carry significant penalties. Additionally, she faced charges related to “depravity” and the illegal acquisition of money, suggesting that her online activities were viewed as corrupting and financially illicit. Further accusations included inciting violence and encouraging the demoralization of young people, highlighting the authorities’ concern about the influence of social media figures on the youth. Another charge levied against her was violating the national dress code, indicating that her online presentation was seen as a transgression of societal norms. These charges painted a picture of an influencer whose online persona was deemed a threat to public morality and order by the Iranian judiciary.
Zombie Angelina Instagram: Coronavirus in prison
The health of Sahar Tabar became a critical concern when, in April 2020, reports emerged that she had contracted the coronavirus while incarcerated in an Iranian prison. This news sent shockwaves through her supporters and human rights advocates, who had been campaigning for her release. The outbreak of COVID-19 within the prison system raised serious questions about the safety and conditions of detention facilities in Iran. Tabar was reportedly connected to a ventilator, indicating a severe case of the illness that placed her life in grave danger. Her situation underscored the vulnerability of incarcerated individuals during the global pandemic and intensified calls for clemency and early release for those deemed at risk.
Fight for release and health problems
Following the news of Sahar Tabar’s COVID-19 diagnosis, her legal team intensified their efforts to secure her release from prison. Citing the unprecedented public health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, her lawyers argued for her freedom on humanitarian grounds, emphasizing the heightened risk of infection and severe illness in crowded prison environments. They formally submitted a request for her release on bail, hoping that the court would consider the extraordinary circumstances. However, their pleas were met with disappointment as the request for bail was ultimately denied. This decision meant that Sahar Tabar remained in prison, continuing to battle the virus and facing the ongoing threat to her health within the confines of the correctional facility, a situation that drew international attention and concern for her well-being.
Court, verdict, and bail: The end of the case
The legal saga surrounding Sahar Tabar reached a significant juncture with her appearance in court and the eventual pronouncement of a verdict. Initially, reports indicated that the influencer had been sentenced to ten years in prison. This lengthy sentence sparked widespread outrage and disbelief among her followers and observers of freedom of expression. However, the situation evolved, and Sahar Tabar was eventually released on bail. This release meant she was no longer incarcerated while awaiting the final resolution of her case and the full determination of her legal standing on the various charges. The court proceedings and the subsequent release on bail marked a crucial turning point in her highly publicized legal battle.
Iranian television and the influence of social media
In a move that highlighted the Iranian authorities’ strategy to control narratives surrounding social media and its perceived negative influences, Sahar Tabar was featured on Iranian television in October 2019. This appearance, which took place before her trial concluded, presented her in a pre-trial interview where she was portrayed as a “zombie.” The broadcast served as a public demonstration, intended to illustrate the perceived dangers of excessive use of social media and the potential for individuals to adopt harmful or deviant online personas. This televised segment was part of a broader effort by state media to criticize the influence of social media on young people and to reinforce conservative societal values, using Tabar’s case as a cautionary tale.
Reactions and the future
The case of Sahar Tabar, the “Zombie Angelina” from Instagram, elicited a wide range of reactions globally. While some condemned her actions and the perceived superficiality of her online persona, many others expressed concern over the severity of the charges and the harshness of the legal proceedings in Iran. Her arrest and subsequent sentencing sparked debates about freedom of expression, the role of social media in society, and the pressures faced by young women in conservative cultures. The fact that Instagram is the only social media platform widely accessible in Iran, while others like Facebook and Twitter are banned, further underscored the unique digital landscape in which Tabar operated. As she awaits the final verdict on other charges, the future remains uncertain for the Iranian influencer. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between online identity, societal expectations, and legal consequences in the digital age, leaving many to wonder what the ultimate outcome will be and what impact this ordeal will have on her life and career moving forward.
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