In 2017, social media users were surprised by photos of a girl from Tehran named Sahar Tabar. Her face looked very different—her cheekbones were sharp, her skin was extremely pale, and her features seemed exaggerated.
Some people called her the “Iranian Angelina Jolie.” Others compared her to characters from fantasy movies. No matter the opinion, her page quickly gained thousands of followers, and the media couldn’t stop talking about her.
But what was the truth behind her look?
Rumors spread that Sahar had 50 plastic surgeries and lost 40 kilograms to look like Hollywood star Angelina Jolie. Many believed she went through extreme procedures to change her appearance.
But Sahar denied all of these claims. She said:
“I never wanted to look like Angelina Jolie or a movie character. My photos were just art. People misunderstood my idea.”
Later, it was revealed that her appearance was not due to surgery but a mix of makeup, filters, and digital editing. Sahar had used her skills to create an illusion, tricking many into believing her face had changed permanently.
Despite the mixed reactions, her popularity kept growing. In just a few months, she gained over 400,000 followers. Some saw her as an artist, while others thought she was simply playing a joke on the internet.
But authorities in Iran saw things differently. In 2019, Sahar was arrested and charged with “corrupting young people.” The court later sentenced her to 10 years in prison.
The international community was shocked. Human rights groups called the punishment too harsh. Many believed her photos were nothing more than online entertainment, not a crime.
After 14 months in prison, Sahar was released. She later appeared on television and revealed her real face.
“Yes, I had some plastic surgery, but not much,” she admitted. “Most of my photos were just makeup and editing. People believed what they saw.”