Sahar Tabar, born Fatemeh Khishvand in Tehran, went viral on Instagram for her eerie, doll-like look that many mistook for extreme surgery. She later revealed it was mostly makeup and editing, part of a performance art project.
In 2019, her online persona led to her arrest in Iran, sparking outrage after reports of a 10-year sentence. Released after 14 months, Sahar explained she never meant to copy Angelina Jolie or look like a zombie—her work was meant as art. Her story shows how internet fame can bring real risks, especially under strict regimes.
