Milla Blake Is NOT Real: The Tragic True Story Of 'The Wellness Warrior' Who Inspired The Netflix Character

The question of "Is Milla Blake a real person?" has surged in popularity, especially with the anticipation surrounding the new Netflix limited series *Apple Cider Vinegar* (set for a 2025 release). The definitive answer, as of today, December 18, 2025, is no: Milla Blake is a fictional character. However, the compelling and tragic story of her life, as portrayed by actress Alycia Debnam-Carey, is directly inspired by a very real and controversial figure in the Australian wellness industry, a woman known to thousands as 'The Wellness Warrior.' The character of Milla Blake serves as a composite figure, drawing inspiration from multiple wellness influencers, but her core narrative—a young, vibrant magazine editor diagnosed with a rare cancer who shuns conventional medicine for alternative therapies—is a direct parallel to the life of Jessica Ainscough. The series uses Milla's story to explore the dangerous side of the wellness movement and the devastating consequences of misinformation in the digital age.

Jessica Ainscough: The Real-Life Inspiration's Biography

The character Milla Blake is heavily based on the life of Jessica Ainscough, an Australian writer and entrepreneur whose public battle with cancer and subsequent advocacy for alternative medicine captivated and divided a nation.

• Full Name: Jessica Ainscough
• Known As: The Wellness Warrior, Jess Ainscough
• Date of Birth: July 15, 1985
• Place of Birth: Australia
• Initial Career: Online Editor for the popular Australian teen magazine *Dolly*
• Cancer Diagnosis: Epithelioid Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive soft-tissue cancer, diagnosed at age 22
• Wellness Journey Start: After a brief period of conventional treatment, she made the controversial decision to halt chemotherapy and amputation, instead pursuing a holistic, natural-remedy path
• Advocacy: She became a prominent wellness entrepreneur, sharing her journey on her blog "The Wellness Warrior" and publishing the book *Make Peace With Your Plate*
• Alternative Therapy: Her primary treatment choice was the Gerson Therapy, which involves extreme dietary changes, coffee enemas, and supplements
• Date of Death: February 26, 2015, at the age of 29

The Rise of 'The Wellness Warrior' and Her Controversial Cure

Jessica Ainscough’s story began in her early twenties when she was diagnosed with Epithelioid Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in her arm. After undergoing a period of chemotherapy, she faced the devastating recommendation of having her arm amputated to save her life. It was at this critical juncture that she made a life-altering decision that would define her public persona: she chose to reject conventional medicine and pursue a holistic approach. She rebranded herself as "The Wellness Warrior," a moniker that embodied her fight against cancer using only natural methods. Her blog and subsequent book, *Make Peace With Your Plate*, detailed her journey, advocating for the Gerson Therapy—a highly restrictive diet and detoxification protocol that includes frequent coffee enemas. Her vibrant, positive, and deeply personal posts resonated with a massive audience, turning her into a leading figure in the global wellness movement. Her social media presence was immense, attracting thousands of followers who saw her as a beacon of hope for natural healing.

The Tragic End and the Aftermath of Controversy

Tragically, despite her unwavering belief in the alternative path, Jessica Ainscough died from her cancer on February 26, 2015, at the age of 29. Her death sent shockwaves through the wellness community and reignited a fierce global debate about the dangers of shunning proven medical treatments in favour of unproven alternative therapies. The controversy centered on the idea that her public platform may have inadvertently encouraged others with serious illnesses to abandon life-saving treatments. Her mother, Sharyn Ainscough, who was also diagnosed with cancer and followed the same Gerson Therapy protocol, passed away a year before Jessica. This compounding tragedy highlighted the devastating real-world risks associated with the natural cure narrative. The narrative surrounding Jessica's death became a cautionary tale, underscoring the vital difference between supporting conventional treatment and embracing holistic health, and completely replacing medical science with unproven remedies.

Milla Blake's Role in Netflix's 'Apple Cider Vinegar'

The Netflix series *Apple Cider Vinegar* uses the composite character Milla Blake to dissect this complex and often dark side of the wellness industry. The show is based on the 2017 book *The Woman Who Fooled the World: Belle Gibson’s Cancer Con* and is set to be released in 2025. Milla Blake, played by Alycia Debnam-Carey, is a young journalist at *Girlfriend* magazine whose life takes a dark turn following her cancer diagnosis. She becomes a wellness influencer who promotes natural remedies and holistic healing to her followers. In the series, Milla is portrayed as a genuine believer in the alternative path, serving as a friend and inspiration to the other central character, Belle Gibson.

The Intertwined Stories of Belle Gibson and Milla Blake

The series focuses on the intertwined stories of two women: Belle Gibson and Milla Blake. The Belle Gibson character is based on a *real-life* wellness influencer who achieved massive fame and wealth by falsely claiming she had terminal brain cancer and cured it through diet and lifestyle changes. Milla Blake, representing the story of Jessica Ainscough, serves as a tragic contrast to Belle Gibson. While Belle's story is one of deception and fraud, Milla's is one of genuine belief and tragic consequence. The show uses Milla's sincere, yet ultimately fatal, decision to highlight the environment of social media wellness culture where figures like Gibson could thrive. It is this deep dive into the ethics, sincerity, and danger of the wellness industry that makes Milla Blake's fictional story—and its real-life inspiration—so compelling and relevant today. The series is a powerful exploration of cancer alternative treatments, social media influence, and the fine line between hope and harm.