The social media world is in mourning after popular vegan influencer Zhanna D’Art, known for promoting extreme raw plant-based diets, was found dead in Malaysia — with investigators now suspecting she may have died from complications related to malnutrition. Her sudden death has reignited heated debate about restrictive eating trends and the dark side of online wellness culture.
D’Art, 39, originally from Russia, had built a large following across Instagram and TikTok by sharing photos of her fruit-only meals and videos advocating “pure living through raw veganism.” She often claimed she hadn’t eaten cooked food in over four years, telling followers that her diet made her “feel light, cleansed, and connected to nature.”
Her friends, however, told Daily Mail that in the months leading up to her death, Zhanna had become dangerously frail. “She looked like a shadow of herself,” one close friend said. “We begged her to see a doctor, but she insisted she was fine and that her body was ‘detoxing.’”
“Vegan influencer Zhanna D’Art dies at 39 after surviving on fruit and raw vegetables — doctors suspect malnutrition.” @guardian
According to local authorities, D’Art collapsed inside her rented apartment in Penang, Malaysia, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary medical reports cited “severe exhaustion and possible malnutrition” as contributing factors, though an autopsy is still pending. “Her body showed clear signs of starvation,” said one investigator, speaking to Reuters. “It appears she had been following an extreme diet for a prolonged period.”
Zhanna had recently been traveling across Southeast Asia, documenting her “fruitarian journey” and sharing clips of herself eating mangoes, durians, and coconuts. In one of her final posts, she wrote, “My body is finally pure. I’ve reached the highest state of energy and clarity.” That video, viewed more than 2 million times on TikTok, has since been flooded with comments from shocked fans expressing grief — and anger.
“She inspired me to eat healthier,” one follower commented, “but no one should live like that. It’s heartbreaking.” Another wrote, “This is what happens when wellness turns into obsession. Rest in peace, Zhanna.”
Her mother, who lives in Moscow, told BBC News she was unaware of how drastically her daughter’s health had deteriorated. “I didn’t recognize her in her last photos,” she said through tears. “Her face, her eyes — they were lifeless. She was so kind, so full of light. I wish she had listened.”
“Friends say Zhanna D’Art refused medical help despite extreme weight loss — she believed her body was ‘healing itself.’” @people
Experts warn that D’Art’s death is part of a growing pattern of social media influencers promoting extreme diets without medical supervision. “We’re seeing a worrying rise in orthorexia — an unhealthy obsession with eating ‘pure’ or ‘clean’ foods,” said nutritionist Dr. Laura Kennedy in an interview with CNN. “When you cut out entire food groups and avoid essential nutrients, your body eventually shuts down. It’s not wellness — it’s starvation disguised as spirituality.”
Zhanna’s partner, identified only as Arseny, told reporters that she had been “experimenting” with fasting and had recently completed a 21-day liquid cleanse. “She believed fasting healed the soul,” he said. “She thought her discipline was making her stronger. But by the end, she was so weak she could barely stand.”
Online, her death has reignited fierce debate within the vegan and wellness communities. Prominent vegan chef Tabitha Brown wrote on X, “There’s a difference between being plant-based and being self-destructive. Health is about balance — not punishment.” Others pointed to the pressure social media influencers face to maintain a “perfect” lifestyle. “She wasn’t chasing health,” one fan wrote. “She was chasing validation.”
“Zhanna D’Art’s story shows how online wellness culture can become deadly when obsession replaces care.” @reuters
Zhanna first gained attention in 2018 after claiming her raw vegan diet had cured her chronic fatigue and “spiritual blockages.” Her followers praised her for her ethereal energy and minimalist approach to food — often eating only fruit and coconut water. But in later videos, fans noticed her visibly shrinking frame, sunken cheeks, and trembling hands. “She didn’t look healthy anymore,” one follower commented months before her death. “She looked like she was fading away.”
Her death has also drawn criticism toward platforms like Instagram and TikTok for failing to regulate dangerous dietary content. “When influencers spread misinformation about nutrition to millions, it can have deadly consequences,” Dr. Kennedy added. “This isn’t just about one woman — it’s about a system that rewards extremes.”
Zhanna’s family has now issued a warning to her followers. “Do not repeat her mistakes,” her brother said in a statement. “She wanted to live purely, but she forgot that food is not the enemy. Please, eat, live, and take care of your body.”
Tributes continue to pour in from fans around the world, many calling Zhanna’s story a tragic cautionary tale. One user wrote on Reddit: “She preached love and light, but her death shows how dark the pursuit of perfection can become.”
As the investigation into her cause of death continues, her family plans to bring her remains back to Russia. For many who once saw her as a symbol of purity and health, Zhanna D’Art’s passing is a painful reminder that even the most beautiful ideals can turn fatal when taken too far.