‘Offensive and untrue’: Netflix portrayal of Belle Gibson’s ‘rival’ upsets family

‘It’s a falsified dramatic fictional portrayal,’ says Tallon Pamenter, former partner of Jessica Ainscough upon whom a key character in the Netflix series is based.

Former wellness blogger Jessica Ainscough died of cancer about a week before Belle Gibson was outed as a conwoman. Picture: Peter Wallis

Much about Belle Gibson’s story – not least her bogus cancer claim – was a fabrication.

And it seems that the same can be said about the Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar that purports to document Gibson’s incredible transformation from pregnant drifter to global wellness pioneer to disgraced scammer.

The Netflix show – self-­described as a “true story based on a lie” – depicts Gibson’s close relationship with a character called Milla Blake, a genuine cancer ­patient who sought to beat her terminal illness with alternative treatments.

Blake’s character was reportedly inspired by Jessica Ainscough, a real-life cancer sufferer who died in February 2015, about a week before Gibson was outed as a conwoman.

Apple Cider Vinegar suggests the pair were friends – and then ­rivals – in the wellness space, as both promoted new-age therapies. But according to Ainscough’s former partner, Tallon Pamenter, nothing “could be ­further from the truth”.

“The idea that the character of Milla is based on Jess is just plain ridiculous and offensive,” Mr Pamenter said on Wednesday.

“There are already so many misconceptions about Jess in the media, and for actress (Alycia Debnam-Carey) to be out there saying that her Milla character is based on Jess is quite insulting and could not be further from the truth.

“It’s a falsified dramatic fictional portrayal – which isn’t surprising, considering none of us were ever consulted or referenced for information or fact-checking.”

Mr Pamenter said one of the most egregious depictions put forward by the character of Milla is that she – and by extension, Ainscough – was contemptuous of conventional medicine.

“The series insinuates that Jess fully shunned conventional medicine, which is also incorrect,” Mr Pamenter said.

“She was always open about exploring all types of conventional and holistic medicine. In fact, she actually passed due to complications from conventional radiation therapy – not from her cancer spreading, or taking action too late as depicted in the media and in the series.

“The portrayal of her as aggressive, naive or disregarding medical advice until the last minute is incredibly inaccurate, frustrating and deeply hurtful.”

Ainscough with her former partner Tallon Pamenter in 2014. Picture: Instagram

Mr Pamenter said the suggestion that Gibson and Ainscough had any kind of meaningful relationship was false.

“It’s a relationship that didn’t even exist,” Mr Pamenter said.

“Jess had cancer and was known for her incredibly kind ­nature and her dedication to her wellness community. She was very much focused on her own journey.

“Belle had reached out to Jess a few times mostly through social media and as always Jess was kind and supportive, but their contact was very minimal. There really was no relationship between them at all.

“Jess barely knew her, nor was she ever on Jess’s radar. Jess was completely unaware at her time of death that Belle was a fake.

“The fact that this new series puts a fake cancer fraudster like Gibson – guilty of misleading and deceptive conduct in a court of law – in the same storyline as someone honest and incredible like Jess is a massive insult to her character and her legacy. It’s heartbreaking for everyone who knew her.”

Belle Gibson leaves the Federal Court in Melbourne in 2019. Picture: AAP

Mr Pamenter also took issue with the depiction of Milla’s father, who is portrayed as an aggressive parent.

“In reference to how the father is portrayed in the series I can tell you it’s completely fictional and to draw any correlation between that character and Jess’s real dad (Col Ainscough) is too upsetting to comprehend,” he said.

“Those who truly know Jess’s dad will attest he is the kindest man you will ever meet. He is softly spoken, generous, incredibly kind and very well liked.”

Mr Pamenter said the Netflix show had knowingly blurred the line between fact and faction “to make way for good TV”.

“People should remember this,” he said.