Sahar Tabar, whose real name is Fatemeh Khishvand, rose to global fame as Iran’s so-called “Zombie Angelina Jolie.” With her exaggerated facial features and hauntingly altered appearance, she captured the attention of millions online. However, her rise to internet stardom came with consequences she never anticipated, leading to her arrest, imprisonment, and eventual release. Her story is a striking reflection of how social media fame can spiral into something far more serious.
At just 19 years old, Sahar became an internet sensation after sharing photos of her heavily altered face on Instagram. Her sharp cheekbones, angular lips, and dramatically restructured nose created a surreal and almost cartoonish appearance. It was widely believed that Sahar underwent over 50 plastic surgeries to achieve her unique look, including procedures like liposuction, rhinoplasty, and cheek implants. However, speculation grew about the authenticity of these surgeries. Many experts and critics suggested that her photos were heavily edited with filters and digital tools, exaggerating her appearance far beyond reality.
While Sahar never explicitly stated that she aimed to resemble Hollywood star Angelina Jolie, her followers were quick to make the connection. They dubbed her the “Zombie Angelina Jolie,” a nickname that stuck and fueled her online fame. Her Instagram account, @sahartabar_official, amassed nearly four million followers at its peak. Despite the massive following, her family—particularly her mother—disapproved of her social media presence and the grotesque imagery she portrayed. But Sahar had a clear goal: she wanted fame. “Cyberspace was an easy way to become known,” she admitted in an interview. “It was much easier than becoming an actor.”
Sahar described her online persona as a form of artistic self-expression. In an interview with the Russian news outlet Sputnik, she clarified, “Every time I publish a photo, I paint my face in an increasingly funny way. It’s a way of expressing myself—a kind of art. My fans know this is not my real face.” She went on to explain that she had never intended to imitate Angelina Jolie or even the animated character The Corpse Bride. “I understand now that people see the resemblance, but my goal was never to copy anyone. I am my own muse,” she said.
Despite these clarifications, her unusual appearance and rising fame drew the attention of Iranian authorities. In October 2019, Sahar was arrested on multiple charges, including blasphemy, inciting violence, negatively influencing young people, illegal property acquisition, and violating Iran’s strict dress codes for women. The charges painted her as more than just a social media influencer—they cast her as a societal threat.
Sahar was sentenced to 10 years in prison, an extraordinarily harsh punishment for her online actions. To make matters worse, she was sent to Qarchak Prison, one of the most notorious prisons for women in Iran, known for its deplorable conditions and widespread human rights abuses. The sentence shocked many, and activists quickly rallied to her cause.
One such activist, Masih Alinejad, took to social media to call for intervention. “Sahar Tabar is only 19. 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,” Alinejad wrote in a heartfelt plea. The activist hoped Jolie’s humanitarian influence could draw international attention to Sahar’s plight.
After serving 14 months of her sentence, Sahar was released. Her release was reportedly influenced by the widespread protests following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly. Mahsa’s death triggered nationwide outrage and intensified global scrutiny of Iran’s treatment of women and prisoners. In the face of growing pressure, Sahar was among those granted early release.
In the aftermath of her time in prison, Sahar reflected on her experience with a mix of regret and resilience. What had begun as an attempt to express herself and gain fame online had turned into a nightmare she couldn’t escape. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the blurred boundaries between social media personas and real-world consequences, especially in societies where personal freedom is heavily restricted.
Sahar’s journey from viral fame to incarceration and back to freedom is a sobering reminder of the power and danger of social media. It highlights how quickly online attention can shift from adoration to condemnation and how public perception can have very real—and often severe—repercussions.
Today, Sahar remains a controversial figure. Her Instagram account has been permanently deleted, and she has largely stepped away from the public eye. However, her story continues to resonate, sparking conversations about digital responsibility, personal freedom, and the risks of pursuing fame in restrictive environments.
Whether Sahar will ever return to social media or embrace a quieter life remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that her experience has left an indelible mark on those who followed her journey. For some, she remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking validation in the digital world. For others, she represents resilience—a young woman who faced immense societal pressure and survived to tell her story.
Sahar Tabar’s story isn’t just about viral fame or the consequences of social media excess. It’s about the intersection of personal freedom, societal norms, and the unintended consequences of chasing an online dream. As her tale continues to unfold, it serves as a powerful reminder that what we see online is often only a fraction of the real story—and the price of fame can sometimes be far higher than we realize.
