Sahar Tabar, a 19-year-old Iranian woman, made headlines worldwide for her drastic transformation to resemble Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. Through numerous plastic surgeries, including liposuction and nose reshaping, Tabar’s appearance became a subject of controversy and debate online.
Tabar’s transformation, which included gaunt cheekbones, sharp features, and a drastically altered nose, earned her the nickname “Iran’s Zombie Angelina Jolie.” Her social media presence, where she posted pictures of her altered appearance, garnered a massive following, with almost four million followers on Instagram at one point.
However, Tabar’s rise to fame was not without its challenges. Her mother disapproved of her social media usage and the shocking images she posted. Tabar claimed that she wanted to be famous and saw social media as an easy way to achieve her goal. “Cyberspace was an easy way,” she said. “It was much easier than becoming an actor.”
Tabar’s appearance, however, was not just a matter of personal expression. In an interview with a Russian website, she claimed that her followers knew that her posted images were not her real face. “Every time I publish a photo, I paint my face in an increasingly funny way,” she said. “It is a way of expressing yourself, a kind of art.”
Despite her claims, Tabar’s actions had serious consequences. In October 2019, she was arrested for her “blasphemous” pictures on Instagram, as well as for allegedly buying property illegally, instigating violence, and negatively influencing the youth. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison and sent to Qarchak Prison, notorious for being one of the worst prisons for women in Iran.
Tabar’s case caught the attention of Iranian activist Masih Alinejad, who took to social media to plead for Tabar’s release. “Sahar Tabar is only 19,” Alinejad wrote. “Her joke landed her in jail. Her mother cries every day to get her innocent daughter freed. Dear Angelina Jolie, we need your voice here. Help us.”
After serving 14 months in prison, Tabar was released, allegedly due to the international outcry following the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested and beaten by Iranian police for wearing her hijab incorrectly. Tabar’s case highlights the complexities of social media, personal expression, and the harsh realities of life in Iran.
