The Iranian woman who rose to global notoriety as “Zombie Angelina Jolie” has shocked millions by revealing her real face for the first time since being released from prison. After years of viral speculation, manipulated photos, and controversy, 22-year-old Sahar Tabar has stepped forward to show the world what she actually looks like — and the transformation has left social media speechless.
Tabar, whose heavily distorted zombie-like images once flooded Instagram feeds worldwide, became infamous for her extreme appearance, which many believed was the result of dangerous surgeries. But after her release, she revealed on national television that the grotesque look that made her a viral phenomenon was nothing more than a mix of digital manipulation and make-up — not surgical alteration as many assumed.
“This is my real face. I never looked like the pictures online.” — Sahar Tabar @BBCWorld
In a rare interview aired by BBC Persian, Tabar — whose real name is Fatemeh Khishvand — spoke candidly about her time in prison, the price of online fame, and the lies that spiraled out of control. “People thought I had dozens of surgeries to look like Angelina Jolie,” she said quietly. “But it was all make-up and Photoshop. I wanted attention. I got more than I ever imagined.”
Her case first drew international attention when photos of her skeletal, wide-eyed face went viral in 2017, sparking horror and fascination worldwide. The images were shared millions of times, with many media outlets claiming she had undergone extreme cosmetic procedures to mimic Jolie. The reality, she now says, was far less sensational — but the damage had already been done.
Tabar was arrested in 2019 on charges including “blasphemy,” “inciting violence,” and “corrupting youth” over her viral posts. According to The Guardian, she spent more than a year behind bars before being released earlier than expected amid global human rights pressure and international attention to her case.
“I wanted to be famous, not imprisoned. I never imagined it would lead to this.” — Sahar Tabar @guardian
During the interview, she removed her headscarf for a brief moment, showing her natural features. The moment went viral instantly, with millions of people comparing her real face to the nightmarish images that once defined her online identity. “She looks completely different. It’s heartbreaking how far she had to go to get attention,” one user wrote on X.
Human rights activists have long argued that her imprisonment was a gross overreach by Iranian authorities, who used her case as a warning to young women who challenge traditional norms. A lawyer familiar with her trial told Al Jazeera that she was “punished for a viral joke” in a country with strict social media laws. “She became a symbol, whether she wanted to or not.”
Experts in digital culture have pointed to Tabar’s story as a cautionary tale of how viral fame can spiral beyond control. “She was a teenager playing with filters,” media analyst Laleh Shams told The New York Times. “But the world took her at face value. That misunderstanding nearly cost her everything.”
“She was a teenager playing with filters. That misunderstanding nearly cost her everything.” @nytimes
Since her release, Tabar has said she wants to leave the viral persona behind for good. She’s reportedly considering using her platform to speak out about online bullying, mental health, and the consequences of digital fame. In the same interview, she admitted she now regrets the choices that turned her into a worldwide sensation. “I wish I had never done it. I lost years of my life,” she said through tears.
Her real face reveal has dominated social media trends, with hashtags like #SaharTabar and #ZombieAngelinaJolie surging globally. Some users have expressed shock, while others have sent messages of support and empathy. One viral tweet read: “The internet made a monster out of her. Now we see the human being.”
“The internet made a monster out of her. Now we see the human being.” — Viral Post @PopCrave
Digital psychologists told Reuters that the reaction to Tabar’s story reveals society’s fascination with extremes and its tendency to vilify women who seek visibility online. “She was treated as a sideshow act rather than a young woman,” one expert said. “And when the mask came off, the world had to confront its own cruelty.”
For now, Tabar remains out of the spotlight — at least by choice. She has not returned to her previous online platforms and has said she wants to live a quieter life. “I’ve had enough of being a headline,” she told The Independent. “I just want to be me again.”
“I’ve had enough of being a headline. I just want to be me again.” — Sahar Tabar @Independent
Her unmasking may mark the end of one of the most bizarre and tragic internet stories of the last decade — a tale of viral obsession, a young woman caught in the storm, and a haunting reminder that what we see online is rarely the full truth.
