The “zombie” Angelina Jolie lookalike, Sahar Tabar, has shown her real face for the first time after being released from prison.
Sahar, whose real name is Fatemah Khishvand, became an internet sensation in 2017 with her eerie, altered photos on Instagram. The images made her look like a “zombified” version of Angelina Jolie and quickly went viral.
Her shocking appearance was created using heavy makeup, Photoshop, and possibly some cosmetic surgery. While some people were fascinated, others criticized her heavily.
In October 2019, Iranian authorities arrested her during a crackdown on social media influencers. She was charged with blasphemy, inciting violence, gaining income through improper means, and corrupting the youth.
Iran often targets influencers seen as promoting Western values, according to reports by Al Jazeera. By December 2020, Sahar had been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
However, after serving 14 months, she was granted a conditional release, according to The Guardian. Following her release, Sahar appeared on a state-run TV channel, revealing her real face for the first time.
The reveal sparked mixed reactions online. Some showed empathy, with one user saying, “Maybe if people judged less, fewer would feel the need to alter themselves.” Others expressed sadness about her story, with one commenting, “Prayers for her.”
For years, many believed Sahar’s altered Instagram look was due to botched plastic surgery. She later clarified that her look was mostly makeup and Photoshop.
“What you saw on Instagram was the result of computer effects,” Sahar said, adding that creating those images was easier than becoming an actor.
She admitted to having a nose job and using lip fillers but emphasized that her fans knew it wasn’t her real face.
In an interview, Sahar said her posts were meant as self-expression and fun, not an attempt to seriously resemble Angelina Jolie.
Despite gaining fame, Sahar reflected on the impact of her online persona. She admitted that her posts, which some called “vulgar,” played a major role in her fame.
Her Instagram account was eventually deleted in 2019 due to rising scrutiny from Iranian authorities.
