Few internet personalities have sparked as much fascination as Sahar Tabar, known worldwide as the “Zombie Angelina Jolie.” Her eerie, stylized selfies captivated millions, blurring the line between art and shock. Behind the viral persona was Fatemeh Khishvand, a young Iranian woman whose creative experiment spiraled into global fame—and controversy.
In 2019, Sahar’s online notoriety caught the attention of Iranian authorities, leading to her arrest for allegedly promoting immorality. Reports of a potential ten-year prison sentence ignited outrage and debate over artistic freedom and digital censorship. She ultimately served about 14 months before being released.
Afterward, Sahar clarified that her haunting appearance was mostly achieved through makeup and digital editing, not extensive surgery. Her intent, she explained, was performance art—a commentary on beauty, fame, and identity in the social media age.
Sahar Tabar’s story serves as both inspiration and warning. It highlights how viral fame can empower creativity yet expose individuals to judgment, cultural conflict, and control. Her legacy endures as a striking symbol of the fragile boundary between self-expression and societal limits in the digital world.
